Category: Running

Palin Running & Not

Guide to Life, Politics, Running

Sarah Palin image by Brian Adams from the August 2009 issue of Runner's WorldEach issue of ‘Runner’s World‘ magazine, a read I’ve been enjoying since taking up running again a year ago, ends with an interview with a generally well-known figure; athletes, actors, politicians and such. These interviews are called ‘I’m A Runner‘, and I enjoy reading them and learning of this lifestyle that I’ve embraced and have in common with these individuals.

This week, the August issue of Runner’s World came out, and the subject of the ‘I’m a Runner’ interview was Sara Palin. I enjoyed the interview and was impressed to learn of her having run a sub 4-hour marathon, or that she will still venture out to run in 20-below temperatures (although this reinforces my belief that she is also bat-shit crazy).

The interview made some minor buzz, because in it she claimed she could beat Obama in a race due to her higher endurance. A soft political jab at worst that got mentioned at the next briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Maybe she could, it doesn’t matter. I’m still glad to have a bodysurfer (and smart person) in the White House.

But despite political differences, the interview reminded me that their are things that can connect us despite our differences; political, religious, or whatever. I wouldn’t want to join her on a run, because according to her interview, she prefers to run as a solitary activity, as do I most of the time. I had a similar reaction recently when I found I had a new Twitter follower. A look at her profile showed her to be a Communications Director of an county-level GOP party in Indiana. So why would she have any interest in my occasional Dem rants? A closer look showed she was a Cubs fan, and that was likely the connection that led her to me. Hobbies, sports, music, alma maters… all provide reasons to sometimes ignore a larger difference (for a moment at least), and recognize these things we do have in common.

Don’t get me wrong. Politically, I loathe Sarah Palin. Her selection as McCain’s running mate was a desperate, but doomed attempt to change the dynamics of the race. Over the course of the campaign, she repeatedly demonstrated herself to be clueless on the issues, and little more than an attractive and expensively dressed windbag shouting nonsense about Obama ‘pal-ing around with terrorists’. But I enjoyed learning she’s a runner, and admire her stated appreciation and ability at the sport.

An hour ago, news broke that Palin has announced she will resign her position of Governor of Alaska by the end of this month, and won’t be seeking re-election in 2010. Many speculate that she is doing so in anticipation of running for President in 2012. She would be not running for Governor in 2010, to allow her to run for President in 2012. That will be worth quite a few laughs in the years to come.

So keep on running Sarah. When for office, I’ll oppose. But when for the joy and exercise of the activity itself, I wish you the best. Break a leg! 🙂

 

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A Year of Running

Guide to Life, Running

Richmond MarathonLast month, when entering a run in my running diary, I noticed an anniversary was approaching. One year ago today, I put on a pair of crappy sneakers and set out on a run. It was a Thursday morning, and I did a three mile loop in 45 minutes. My doctor had told me that I could afford to drop 20-pounds, and I thought I’d do some running in addition to the weight training I also started doing.

I hadn’t run since high school, at least not without being chased. I had done a few 5 & 10ks, and my longest run had been a 10-miler around the Newport Beach Back Bay. I read Jim Fixx‘s book, The Complete Book of Running, and shared with my father an idea that maybe we’d do a marathon one day. But that dream got shelved and forgotten for 25 years.

But a year ago, at age 43, I took up running again, and a year later, I’m still at it. Time to reflect, why have I stuck with it and what good has it done me?

Keeping a running diary has played a very major role in my running. I was fortunate to find a great Mac program, TrailRunner, for logging and mapping my runs and maintaining a diary. I recommend it highly to anyone. Not only is the program great, but the developer is very responsive to help requests and is constantly improving what is already a great program. And it’s because of that diary that I can report that in the last year I’ve headed outside to run 123 times, and covered a total of 652.45 miles. I also recently added a Garmin Forerunner 305r to my running gadgets, and it does much to feed my tech geeky need to track every step.

I read somewhere that the difference between a jogger and a runner is the ‘entry form’. I’ve certainly found that a looming race provides much needed motivation. In the last year I’ve run two 5k’s, a 10-miler, two Half-Marathon’s (1,2), and last November in Richmond, completed a Marathon with my friend Jay. The picture above shows us running in the final mile, joined by our kids. That was definitely a highlight.

I’ve been chased by big snarling dogs in Vermont, and out-paced by my boss in NYC’s Central Park. I ran to the top of the hill in Kitty Hawk that the Wright Brother’s launched their gliders from, and the country roads of Central Illinois. I’ve run along the shore of Lady Bird Lake in Austin, and Cherry Creek in Denver.

I lost the 20 pounds, and two toe nails (they came back, hopefully the weight won’t). And for every time that I find myself asking what the hell I’m doing, lifting legs that feel like sandbags, there is usually a nice Forrest Gump moment to capture the quiet peace and beauty of just running through your surroundings. It took until last year for me to figure out what IS chasing me… age. Hopefully my running will keep me just a few steps ahead of it.

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Work Day Memorial Jog

Diversions, Running
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It had been a little over four hours since Colleen and I had said our farewells at the bus stop this morning, but it felt like an eternity. But her class had a field trip to the FDR Memorial and she asked if I would come meet them. What Dad could refuse? So I jogged/walked (let’s call them intervals) the couple of miles from my office building, around the tidal basin, past the Jefferson Memorial, and to the FDR Memorial. I didn’t see her right away, and walked the whole memorial without finding her, but then I spotted my girl walking with friends on their way to eat their lunches. Our fortuitous reunion at the FDR Memorial got me through the day.

I took some pictures on the way (a good excuse to stop and catch some badly needed breath). On the return trip, I was able to make a quick, but long awaited visit to the World War II Memorial.

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