Tag Archives: marathon training

Took All the Trees, Put ‘Em in a Tree Museum

As the Counting Crows once crooned to many a nostalgic listener: “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” For some people, it’s love. For others, it’s health. For all of us, it’s classic Joni Mitchell songs not actually in need of a 2003 facelift feat. VanessaContinue reading “Took All the Trees, Put ‘Em in a Tree Museum”

History Lesson

When I reflect back on my formative years, it becomes clear that earlier versions of me made some pretty terrible judgment calls. My 2006 self believed driving from Maine to Orlando overnight was a wise travel decision. My 1995 self thought “party dude” Michelangelo would make the best Ninja Turtle husband. My 1991 self dressedContinue reading “History Lesson”

Novice No More

Since retiring my XL lounge-pants three years ago and committing myself to the sport of running, I’ve run 37 road races, two sub-4:00 marathons, thousands of miles and nearly out of goldendoodle photos to populate this blog. I wouldn’t call myself a running expert, per se — I only claim expertise in such indisputable areasContinue reading “Novice No More”

Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

I don’t know much about orbits – unless you’re talking about the 1990s fad soda that I so desperately wanted to drink/chew – but my limited planetary background tells me the world has started spinning faster. From take-out dinners edging out home-cooked meals to online holiday shopping replacing an entire day at the mall toContinue reading “Slow Down, You Move Too Fast”

It’s Gonna Take Time/A Whole Lot of Precious Time

Any journalist worth her weight in ink knows clichés have no place in quality prose, but there’s a reason these overused phrases have such staying power: they oftentimes ring true. Ever come on too strong and scared a would-be suitor away? Remember that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Felt let down after your plansContinue reading “It’s Gonna Take Time/A Whole Lot of Precious Time”

On Your Mark

I’ve never doubted the caliber of my friends, but in case I needed some sort of reaffirmation, the outflowing of support following my Thursday night blog post undoubtedly sealed the proverbial deal. “Just reading your blog,” one texted me later that night. “Haven’t gotten to the end (is there a happy ending?) but I amContinue reading “On Your Mark”

Ill-Timing

I woke up this morning prepared to tell you how – despite all my training hiccups and anxieties and fears – I was finally excited for the marathon. I was going to tell you how I ran eight well-rested miles Monday and felt like I was flying. I was going to tell you how IContinue reading “Ill-Timing”

A Time to Every Purpose Under Heaven

I imagine autumn used to be considered a season of hard work and preparation, but with the onset of the industrial revolution and the invention of pumpkin-spiced coffee, it seems all that has changed. Once a time for reaping the harvest, canning vegetables and chopping firewood in anticipation of the impending snowfall, fall has evolvedContinue reading “A Time to Every Purpose Under Heaven”

Off the Record

My definition of a successful race has changed dramatically in the past 27 years. When I was forced to run the timed mile in elementary school, I deemed the event successful if I could finish before gym ended without scuffing up my Keds. When I ran the occasional charity 5K in high school, I declaredContinue reading “Off the Record”