rileduprunner

Mirror, Mirror

Human beings are hardwired to respond to each other using the same tone and emotion as the other person in the conversation. Think about it: You speak softly to a colleague, and she’ll lower her voice when replying to you, whether or not she even realizes it. Shout at a sales clerk and he’s goingContinue reading “Mirror, Mirror”

2015 Marathon Recap: An Uphill Battle

In case you happened to be one of the people who saw me sobbing at the finish line of the NYC marathon yesterday in waves of disappointment (I’m talking to you, concerned German finisher with the judgy eyes), you should know upfront that the day wasn’t all bad. Yes, I failed to match my marathonContinue reading “2015 Marathon Recap: An Uphill Battle”

Raring to Go

If you’ve asked me any time in the past few weeks whether I’m excited about tomorrow’s marathon, I probably told you no. I may have said I’m not excited because of my recurring shin pain, or I’m not excited because I doubt I’ll finish in under 4 hours, or I’m not excited because I’ve beenContinue reading “Raring to Go”

Island Fever … Well, Tendinitis

New York City’s Randall’s Island is not just home to two psychiatric hospitals, a water treatment plant and several homeless shelters. This small landmass in the middle of the East River has also been the backdrop to some of my finest moments as a New York City resident — and several of my worst. TheContinue reading “Island Fever … Well, Tendinitis”

Oh, Canada

I have a history of unabashedly recommending things that I myself have only done once before — a weekend trip to Austin, lunch at Duck Fat in Portland, dipping birthday cake in ranch dressing — so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’m about to make yet another hardly tested declarative statement: Ottawa isContinue reading “Oh, Canada”

The Big Day

This past weekend marked a significant milestone that’s been enthusiastically circled on my calendar for months. No, I’m not talking about watching my little brother marry the woman he loves. And no, I’m not talking about getting the angels back together. And no, I’m not talking about spending 48 hours with the cutest ring bearerContinue reading “The Big Day”

Good and Ready

When I tell people I’m training for the New York City Marathon, I get one of four responses. Cool. Is this your first? (Nope, it’s my second NYC and my fourth overall. Please don’t let your face drop in disappointment when I reveal I’ve done this before: I’m still excited like a butterball turkey whoContinue reading “Good and Ready”

The Land of Milk and Honey

I used to think my favorite food was butter. As a small child, I vividly remember sitting in front of an open refrigerator with my hand in the Land O’ Lakes, scooping palm full after palm full into my open mouth. And you wonder how I became a husky 5th grader. It’s true though. SweetContinue reading “The Land of Milk and Honey”

Ever So Much More Than Twenty

At the risk of sounding like a Buzzfeed listicle, the signs that I’m no longer in my early- or even mid-20s are frightfully abundant. I get excited when people cancel plans so I can be in bed by 9:30 p.m. Those rare nights I do stay out late drinking (also known as weddings), I stickContinue reading “Ever So Much More Than Twenty”

Greece Is the Word, Is the Word That You Heard

Ask any marathon training coach and she’ll tell you the same thing: running is just one part of the preparation equation. Diet, cross training and rest also play a crucial role in the 20 weeks leading up to the big race, and in true Captain Planet style, only by their powers combined is a marathonerContinue reading “Greece Is the Word, Is the Word That You Heard”