Last summer when I was diagnosed with a multitude of hernias, one of the first things I thought was, “Damn, I’m tough.” This fleeting moment of self-aggrandizement arrived when I realized I’d just run one of my fastest 5Ks in Chicago while battling a slight hangover and, as it turns out, abdominal instability. After I… Read More The Tale of the Unremarkable Half
The winter is winding down. It might not seem like it, what with the cold temperatures still lingering, but I know spring is on its way because the amount of daylight hours is increasing and my mood has gone from cranky to slightly less cranky. While I’d really like spring to pick up the pace,… Read More Running Pet Peeve #8: Running Noses
Money is tight this year. But is it tight enough to impede my race calendar?… Read More Running Out of Money
These last couple of years my body has been speaking to me. It’s been telling me something I don’t particularly want to hear. It’s reminding me in not-so-subtle ways that I’m getting older. Since my late thirties, I’ve been fighting a valiant battle against my steadily increasing age by staying active; not just running, but… Read More The Chronicles of Hernia: Comeback
Currently, when I look down at my belly I see two things I don’t like. The first thing is the scars. There’s one on each side of my stomach and one particularly gnarly one at the top of my belly button. They’ve been healing since my hernia surgery a week and a half ago, scabbing… Read More The Chronicles of Hernia: Recovery
Dual Hernia. After weeks of resting, a handful of intimate doctors’ appointments, and a lot of waiting, I was finally given an official diagnosis: dual hernia. Surgery has been scheduled for mid-September and there will be at least another four weeks of recover. However, given how cautious I want to be about the thin pieces… Read More The Chronicles of Hernia: Diagnosis
When I returned home from Chicago last Monday, I had every intention to sit down and pound out a several hundred words on my running experiences in the Windy City. However, there was something preventing me from doing that: exhaustion. The physical and mental fatigue had less to do with all the miles I’d logged… Read More Running Away From Home: Chicago
Overall the race went well. In fact, it went very well. Going into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon this past Sunday, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was leaving my comfort zone and embarking on a 2nd half marathon less than two months after my last one and my quick, 8-week… Read More Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle: 15 Seconds
When I run half marathons, I don’t listen to music. While I very much enjoy (and need) those beats, rhythms, and melodies during training runs, I prefer to avoid them on races day. Those mornings tend to be adrenaline-filled as it is, the last thing I need is a Public Enemy song inspiring my legs to take… Read More Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle: Race Moments
In the past, when a half marathon was on the horizon, I’ve used this blog space to lay out my personal goals for the race. It’s a chance to reflect on my training and take stock in where I’m at as a runner. For this Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half, I have but one simple… Read More Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle: Let Me Eat Cake
The Reluctant Runner 