Archive For The “Running Free” Category
Think time capsule. 1995. A cabin near the Siuslaw river, deep in the woods, no television, no paper, but I had a phone. Apparently a few long calls and a couple of the real good guys gave me some time and taught me something about running. Successful distance running is most easily achieved with the…
Should have thought of him sooner. Much sooner. I was talking to a pioneer, looking for a comment on today’s running technology. I distinctly remember being grateful for Gookinaid, she offered. And the moment she said that, I realized I had forgotten about Bill Gookin. An article titled “Fatigue, Dehydration and Activity Drinks” appeared in…
The best sportswear companies are always hiring thoughtful types, someone once said. Nike wanted my magazine, not me. All other shoe companies lost my number, except Brooks. Brooks had just hired the first woman CEO in running shoe company history. So, already thinking outside the box. With the forthcoming 1996 Olympic Games on American soil,…
I wanted to be a distance god. There. I said it. I would’ve broken out of the lead pack and surged away, thrown down some impossible splits, devastated the elites as I stretched my lead, merciless, alone…almost floating. The field would’ve strung out and withered behind me as I burned and buried the best runners…
I don’t think you can become an outstanding runner unless you get a certain amount of enjoyment out of the suffering. You have to enjoy absorbing it, controlling it, and – ultimately – overcoming it. – Derek Clayton The Honolulu Marathon is like a box of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. You always know what you are…
This book is dedicated to people with disabilities, especially those who deal with chronic pain. And to those who love and care for them. Losing the best thing a lifetime of running had brought and searching the entire county to find it. [An excerpt from a runner’s forthcoming memoir of redline pain, recovery, renewal and…
Marathon running [in Japan] was seen as a worthy and admirable pursuit, embodying the discipline, effort and commitment the country valued and needed to get back on its feet after the devastation of the war. – Adharanand Finn By Benji Durden The trip to Japan is a marathon event itself. From the west coast it…
For Benji Durden, writing is like pulling teeth. He is also battling cancer, but calmly enough so you don’t want to complain to him about your achy knees. He’s still doing more mileage than you are. Training for the Honolulu Marathon. Him, not me. Anyway, I evidenced zero umbrage about some missing deadline. Not to…
I am talking with Lee Fidler, legendary among The South’s best road runners. The guy is practically a guru of fitness, so I asked him to tell me about his most memorable run. Lee had three most memorable runs. (We most often mean races.) Which he gave me in order. And I got this idea. The difference…
“With decades of experience, if running, triathlons or endurance is your game, Lee is your go-to. He is also well equipped to help you get started on any fitness program, with special consideration to injury prevention and longevity.” – LIV Fitness Good to hear from you, Jack. I am well and running an hour every…