Every now and then on the morning of a long run, fear and self-doubt creep in with them asking, “What if I can’t complete the distance?” Of course, they aren’t always this obvious and can be subtlety disguised as procrastination. This could look like me taking too long to get ready all the while needing…
The moment I sat down to write about my first week of officially training for the Marine Corps Marathon, I immediately felt the urge to take a nap. And so I did. Because if there is anything I’ve learned throughout my years of running and training for races, it’s to be flexible and listen to…
After finishing the Chicago Marathon last October, training for a specific distance was no longer my priority. Due to the unexpected calf issue during the race, I figured strength training should take focus over mileage during my off-season so for the remainder of 2022, that’s what I did. Well, mostly. This year I began increasing…
The sun did not peek out from the clouds this week. There was a time when I would bask under the blanket of grayness but this year it’s become such a constant fixture in the otherwise “sunny Southern California” that I now find myself longing for warmth and sunshine. I know they’re coming. Enjoy these…
It’s St. Patrick’s Day and today officially marks 12 years of this blog’s existence. It was on this day in 2011 when I hit submit to publish my first post, and it boggles my mind to think I still have this blog going. But I do think about when I’ll end it though. There have…
The last time I was in Portland, Oregon, was in 2013 and I was in town to complete my 21st marathon (and second Portland Marathon). Ten years later a marathon wasn’t involved, nor was there any running. Turns out, walking was the most challenging portion of this trip. In July 2022, when Bruce Springsteen and…
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” I’ve been asking myself this Mary Oliver quote more and more these days. With eyes wide open, my first instinct is to say, uhh I don’t know. I know how my life has been up until now. There have been…
When 2022 arrived, I may have been its biggest cheerleader. First of all, this year had my favorite number in it (22). It was also the Year of the Tiger, and there was much to look forward to. How could I not be excited? I was full of hope and optimism. By the end…