Day 119: Yesterday’s 6’37” Mile

Yesterday I ran a 6’37” mile. This is my fastest mile ever. It was the third of the “magic mile” runs in Galloway’s marathon training program. These runs are three weeks apart, and each run is seven miles total, during which you run one mile about as fast as you can. Each time you do this, you are trying to beat your previous magic mile time. After three or so of these, multiplying your time by 1.3 is supposed to give you a fairly accurate estimate of the pace you…

Day 118: Things I Appreciate About My 2022

We are about to complete the tenth month of the year, so I would like to write out some of the things I have appreciated about my 2022. Things I appreciate about my 2022 I appreciate keeping up regular running. Running has continued to be an experience of joy, personal growth, and satisfaction. I am most appreciative! Speaking of which, I appreciate doing the Galloway marathon training program, which is making the marathon training process relatively easy-going and yet still triumphant. I appreciate being flexible with myself this year. Whether…

Day 117: Sort of Funny…

So I was sitting here a few hours ago, trying to write a blog post and in no state to do one. In fact, I was pretty misaligned. I realized that I needed to get up and take a break. I shouted as much to my wife in the other room, and then tried to reassure her that I wasn’t upset at her, but just needed to get up from my desk. “I’m going to watch a movie!” I said. “Fine, you do that,” she replied. It was about 5pm.…

Day 116: Less About Content, More About Process

A couple of days ago I contemplated whether I wanted to keep doing this 365 Day Project. I did not make any decision to change course, and yesterday I compromised with a method that recently has helped in a pinch to make posting easy: sharing an original composition. Today I am glad I hung in there. The fact is, a person goes through many mental and emotional spaces over the course of a year. Having 365 days in a row of posting makes it very likely that there will be…

Day 114: Another Post in the Books?

Here we are at Day 114 of my 365 Day Blogging Project, Year 2. To be honest, writing posts recently hasn’t as much fun as I’d like 🙁 There have been days where I have been distracted or uninspired to write. Sometimes I find myself just getting it done, whether or not the joy is there. In a way, this blogging year #2 is proving to be as much an endurance challenge as marathon training. Obviously, this is not ideal. Despite my complaints, I do feel that overall I am…

Day 113: Why Make Everything a Chore?

okay shit, man, it’s 8pm and I haven’t done this blog yet. And frankly, I’m tired, maybe a little head achy? Chris, we are always here to discuss anything you like! We love talking to you! Well thanks, I love talking to you. So here I am sitting here about to write a blog. It’s after 8pm and I sorta kinda “just want to get this done.” I was hoping you could, you know, help 🙂 Sure! Because you want us to do your thinking for you? We are laughing.…

Day 112: Follow the Joy!

Today I spent half the day volunteering for the Iron Man triathlon in Sacramento. I was at the aid station for runners at about mile 21 of the marathon portion (the third part of the swim/bike/run event). The folks I hung with are all runners, so I had a nice time talking “shop” with them. Our table served a choice of Coke or Red Bull to Ironman participants. Coke was far and away the favored drink. I didn’t know I would enjoy myself so much. I usually think I prefer…

Day 111: Improving My Marathon/Life Balance (Update #3)

It’s official. Today for the first time I departed from my training schedule. I was supposed to do mile repeats, which are when you run for a mile at a faster pace with walking breaks in between. My 10 mile repeats three weeks ago went very well. However, doing the 26 miler last weekend has changed (or helped clarify) my perspective on marathon training this time around. Today I decided not only that I was still tired from last weekend (surprise surprise), but that also I just didn’t feel like…