Have I mentioned before that the Baltimore Ravens and I have a legally-binding understanding in which only one of us gets to perform great athletic feats at a time? I won’t go into the details of the deal here, other than to say it was signed in Ray Lewis’ tears – and someone else’s bloodContinue reading “We Can’t All Win Trophies, Baltimore”
Category Archives: Races
Let Me Count the Ways
I love number crunching nearly as much as I love number munching–and most other educational 1990s computer games, to be fair–so I’d like to take a brief reprieve from my typical verbosity and break down my last year in numerals instead. 1,048: Miles I ran in 2012, or about the distance from my Manhattan apartmentContinue reading “Let Me Count the Ways”
A Year in Review
There are probably ten or twelve movies that – if unwittingly stumbled across while channel surfing on my couch – require I watch them through to the credits, despite having seen them dozens of times before. A mismatched mix of sappy rom-coms, 90s blockbusters and Tom Hanks’ entire cinemagraphic repertoire, these films pull me inContinue reading “A Year in Review”
Fatigue is Not a Dirty Word
When somebody asks me what it is that I love about racing, I have a dozen and one answers up my sleeve – as well as the ability to tailor which one I pull out based on who, specifically, is behind the question. Athletic friend: Why do you love racing, champ? Me: My competitive sideContinue reading “Fatigue is Not a Dirty Word”
Back in the Game
As I laced up my racing shoes this past weekend for my first timed trial since the Marine Corps Marathon, all signs were pointing to a terrible performance: My much faster racing partner who was going to pace me to a new PR had to bow out Sunday morning because of a massive hangover to save someContinue reading “Back in the Game”
Oh hey, I Ran a Marathon.
I’ve been planning out my post-marathon blog post for probably longer than I actually trained for the marathon itself. I figured I’d start by reminding everyone that I ran a marathon, and then tell everyone I didn’t break 4:00 but would get there next time and then post the following video clip to sum upContinue reading “Oh hey, I Ran a Marathon.”
A Salute to My Troops
With the starting gun of the Marine Corps Marathon just a few short hours away, I could use this space today to talk about this morning’s two-mile shake-out run (refreshingly brisk), my post-run stretching routine (deplorably inadequate) or my candy corn-filled carb-loading breakfast (scientifically nutritious.) But for once (ok, for twice), I’d like to takeContinue reading “A Salute to My Troops”
Against the Wind
I’ve spent all week preparing for my upcoming marathon in every way I know how. I’ve been carb-loading. (“Why yes, deli man, I will top my bagel with a slice of French toast.”) I’ve been staying off my legs. (“Sorry, pregnant lady, I kind of need this subway seat myself.”) I’ve been memorizing the courseContinue reading “Against the Wind”
The End of an Era
Everyone warned me this day was coming. The day I’d wake up, lace up my racing shoes, power my way through a course and – despite all my efforts – walk away without a PR. After managing 19 consecutive personal bests – or a new individual record for every year Miley Cyrus has been aliveContinue reading “The End of an Era”
Practice Makes Perfect
I’ve received a lot of well-meaning advice as my inaugural marathon approaches (“Walk through the water stations!” “Don’t weave during the first half!” “Have a friend join you at mile 22!”) as well as some less-than-constructive suggestions (“Don’t run an f-ing marathon!”) but the tip that’s been most often recited to me by marathoners andContinue reading “Practice Makes Perfect”
Riled Up Runner 