Consistent Running...Consistent Blogging

“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” 
― W. Somerset Maugham

Blogging?
I love to write. I wish I could write better than I do. Ever since my early schooling, I always enjoyed writing and felt I could do it pretty well. I was one of those weirdos in school who didn't wilt like a dieing flower when I came to the essay questions at the end of a test. If I didn't know the answer, I still felt pretty confident I could eloquently present a wheelbarrow of BS and maybe be able to slide by. I found that tactic worked easier in Junior High than it did in college. 

I always marveled at newspaper writers that can put out editorial pieces and news opinion columns 3-4 times per week and always wondered how do they do that? Especially the ones that are humorous...how do they come up with these one liners and catch phrases over and over again? Surely they must crash against a wall of solid writer's block once in a while. Heck, I don't have any deadline, but I've put out this weekly blog for over two and a half years, but sometimes when I sit down to write RWA, I stare into my mind and all I see is a void. I mean, there is just no idea at all. Most of my ideas will hit me during a run, either like a bolt from above or because of something one of my running buddies comes up with. Most of the time, I'll forget this brilliant stroke of genius before I get home, but sometimes from that void comes something that I can share with whoever chooses to read it. And then, maybe, I'll get some comments that make me feel good - I
 love to get comments, so keep them coming - and other times the comments are not that great...I try to stay clear of politics and God knows I'll never mention Sarah Palin again. Four years and my butt still stings from the whippin' I took on that one! 

But, to me, blogging is so cool. I can sit down in almost complete anonymity and have the freedom to write whatever I want. I'm not sure that anyone really wants to read my thoughts and I'm certainly not fulfilling a service, but after running long distances for over three decades, I have all these memories and feelings about running, so I believe there is some catharsis in it. Maybe it's my own form of self-therapy. I just know I feel good after clicking the "publish" tab on Blogger. There are thousands of blogs out there. I have read well written ones and some not so well written but they all provide insight into the blogger's psyche and that's what you have to read into when you're reading somebody's blog. True, they're not all literary masterpieces like mine, but there are some very excellent blogs to read. And they cover all aspects of all subjects, and each blogger decides which direction his or her blog will go. 

I decided long ago that this blog wouldn't bore you with daily posts of my mileage, because my daily mileage bores me! I feel pretty confident no one wants to read the blow by blow details of my workouts day after day. I don't care if you're an elite runner or not, it's boring. If you want to know my training secret for blazing along year after year, you'll have to slow down on a training run and I'll be glad to share the exciting details with you. 

Also, I hardly ever talk about the newest running fashions and try to convince you that you have to have these to run better. As much as I go on & on about my Hoka shoes, I will never say they are the shoes for you. They are the shoes for me. Period. I've got rain jackets and arm warmers and compression sleeves and wool socks. Are they for you? How the heck should I know? So, I don't blog about that they are the latest and greatest.

At my age, I also will spare you with the hyping of books that claim to have a new and revolutionary way to train. Sorry, you can't reinvent the wheel and there isn't a new way to throw or catch a ball, so I don't preach that there is a new way to train for distance running. Maybe we are Born To Run, but figure it out for yourself. Nobody taught me how to throw a rock at a squirrel, but I just threw the rock. Running is base conditioning, strength conditioning and sharpening, that's how it is and always will be. Run to run better. Run long to run long well. Run fast to run fast well.

And finally, I'll try not to tell you about new foods, supplements,etc. that will improve performance. I've seen them come and go over the last 35 years. Many are designed to pick your pocket. Eat well, eat balanced, don't eat stupid too often and you'll be fine. As somebody said "Everything in moderation, including moderation". Sometimes, there are some pretty awesome breakthroughs like Gels and Gatorade, but you don't need me to break the news to you.

So my friends, I plan to keep blogging away and I hope you keep reading. The only way I know is if you comment, so c'mon, don't be shy. Let me know what you think. In the meantime, like always, I'll see you on the roads - AL

"One child lost is too many...one child saved can change the world"