Running Inspiration

My mom is training for her second half-marathon. She is 65. If she can do it, I can surely do it too.

At Chapters today I was looking for a magazine article to discuss in my feature writing class. I was immediately drawn to Runner's World and Canadian Running magazines, both of which I ended up buying.

Despite the stale headlines ("Great abs in 15 minutes!" or "10 tips to run your best, EVER!") I am still inspired every time I flip through any of these magazines. Just looking at the glossy cover pictures of the uber fit models looking serious and disdainful in their skin-tight shorts and sports bras makes me want to get back into the running business.

Snowboarding

Nice powder on Hemlock mountain on Saturday. Hadn't been boarding in ages and, although I think it's like riding a bicycle, I'm pretty rusty. Barely able to do a 180 turn, so it's going to take a few more tries before I can do a 360. I think I'm going to have to learn to do jumps to do that, actually. Still a long way off. But holy Christmas, is it fun! I can't decide if it's rock climbing or snowboarding I like best now.

Climbing

Went to the climbing gym again today for the first time in months. Felt awesome to get back into it. I have my own chalk bag now, and a pass card, so now I just need a harness and shoes of my own. I didn't do any bouldering, just climbing, and managed a 5.8 no problem, but couldn't do the 5.10 route. I'm still shaky when I get to the top, but my fear of heights seems to be keeping me back less each time I go to the gym.

Marathon Plan

Since all marathons, as far as I know, are held on Sunday mornings, it just so happens that I could run a marathon on my 30th birthday, which will be on Sunday, January 29, 2012. So that's the plan. I found out there's a race in Miami that day. There will likely be others, but I like the idea that there is definitely the option of running somewhere without snow in January. I'm going to have to start training today. Ok, tomorrow. Sometime soon anyway.

The End of Moby Dick

Finished reading Moby Dick tonight! So glad that one's done. The story started with such promise, being all witty and exciting in its promise of first-person adventure on the high seas... and then it turned into something weird and long and not a little bit boring in parts. Cetology is not a subject I will further investigate.

No matter - another item off my list.

Previous posts related to Moby Dick:

(Sept. 8, 2008)
Wanted, The White Whale, and the End of Moby Dick

(Aug. 5, 2008)
Halfway Around the World

(July 20, 2008)
Progress On Board and In the Air

(July 5, 2008)
Call Me Ishmeal

Headline Here

Today's top story:

First semester of J-school done, one more to go, and I'm extremely happy to have December off. All I see when I close my eyes at night is unedited text, taunting me with its imperfection. Poorly delivered radio rants, blurry stand-alone photos, and unattributed sources will be my downfall.

In other news:

This month I intend to finish reading Moby Dick (so close!) and go climbing a few times. Also, maybe, but probably not, get back into running. Might milk a cow too, since a friend of a friend conveniently lives on a dairy farm. So I may be back on track with the life list. Or I may just veg for three or four weeks before the insanity starts again in the new year.

For MKM News,
I'm Marelle Reid

Everything on Hold

About two weeks ago I broke my hand, so for now I am putting off all juggling, climbing, and guitar playing. It turns out that blocking a roundhouse kick with one's hand is not a good idea. Right now I've got a big ugly splint on my right middle finger and am becoming quite proficient at brushing my teeth with my left. It's just too bad ambidexterity is not one of my life goals.