When a Goal Becomes a Barrier. January 2012. Last week I accomplished a major goal: running 5 miles in under 40 minutes (39:44 to be precise). Three years ago I resumed running as an antidote to feeling sorry for myself about the poor shape I was in after a 10 year battle with back problems. I was 49, looking ahead to a significant 50th birthday, and in the "New Year's Resolution" mood. That meant returning to my first passion in physical activities, distance running. In the back of my mind I had the aspiration to run 5 miles in under 40 minutes by my 50th birthday (roughly 10 months later). My first day of running I covered a mile and a half, and had to stop twice to catch my breath. So 10 months wasn't nearly enough time to achieve my goal. I came close; my best 5 mile run that Fall was under 42 minutes. But I just couldn't close the gap. Read more.
There Is No Try. December 2011. My workout week revolves around 7 minutes and 45 seconds of hell. Several of my friends are surprised that I spend as much of my training time on the treadmill as I do. This time of year, when the weather is at its dreariest in the Pacific Northwest, I may spend three of my four workout days each week on the treadmill. My friends consider this boring, an activity that strips away all the most satisfying parts of running. But I've learned to respect the treadmill's unique advantages, and I draw satisfaction from what I accomplish on the treadmill. Read more.
White Listing the Web. November 2011. I had just stepped out of the room for a moment, but when I returned Nathan had a look of terror on his face and his hands clamped firmly over his ears. On the screen was a great white shark, bursting out of frothing water. Nathan is five. He doesn't know any better. The charming whale video we had been watching had ended, and he had simply clicked on a link for another "related" video. Such are the risks of letting your kids watch YouTube unsupervised, even briefly.Read more.
A Little Nookie. October 2011:Its been almost a year since I picked up a Nook Color, and from the beginning the temptation has been there: "I'm not just an eReader, I'm a tablet. Root me, ROM me, and I'll show you a good time." This week I finally gave in to temptation, and installed the ever-popular Cyanogen Mod. After two days of flirtation and fun, I'm back on the straight and narrow with my stock Nook Color. But I've learned some interesting lessons along the way. Read more.
The Best of Darkness. October 2011: The speed work I've been focusing on for the last few weeks seems to be paying off. Did my 8 miles today in under 9 minutes per mile, which is the first time I've done that. The wind sprints and hill sprints I'm doing during the week are harsh, but that's how you make progress. I changed up my play list for the first time in a couple of months, so I'm running to a whole new batch of songs. From Springsteen this time I've selected Racing in the Street, which I've concluded really is the best track on Darkness on the Edge of Town. I've been listening to Darkness a lot lately, ever since watching the documentary The Promise. Read more.