Writers Gonna Write is My Substack

 As I'm receiving an inordinately high amount of traffic today, presumably from bots, I thought I would update my running and all. Who knows? Maybe they'll index it.

First of all, I'm walking. Wobbly knees and weight gain haven't helped. An hour each week, no matter what. Outside of inclement weather, which is known to happen from time to time in North Georgia, I'm out there with a bunch of guys walking about 4 miles. We talk about important things. Our families, our faith, and which band made which song a hit.

In non-running news -- though that's not exactly running news -- I launched WritersGonnaWrite.com. Writers Gonna Write is my Substack. One lesson every Wednesday on how writing actually works, drawn from two decades of writing speeches for a living and fiction for love. Hemingway, Kurt Vonnegut, and the Three Little Pigs all get put to work, and every issue closes with a prompt and a joke that isn't funny. I throw in examples about running when I can.

1.5 Miles? Not Really. Well, OK. Sort of.

 Today, I stood on a treadmill at my HOA. 

As you can see by previous posts, it has been awhile. Blogging has changed even since as well. However, no matter how far I get from running, running is always, only just one step away.

I ran/walked 1.5 miles. No bandana. I wore bermuda shorts. I did wear running shoes (ASICS), so there's that.

Oh, and I looked for upcoming local 5Ks. I miss racing.

Secretly (But Now You Know)

Running regularly, consistently has been a challenge since I rebooted several years ago. Any reader of this blog knows I've stop-started too often.

So I am starting again. 100+ people already know. Following the basic 100 Day Challenge successfully accomplished in early 2014, I decided to begin a 50-day version. Same thing, only shorter.

I needed company. So I asked a few friends to join me. And they asked a few friends. 111 people have started. A few dropped off, but 107 are still at it. I only know 20% or so.

Today is day 12. I'll workout tonight. Ran a treadmill 5K yesterday in 28:28 (9:10/mile) as part of my run.

The general plan is 30+ minutes a day. I'm trying to add five minutes each day, per week. That is, each day of Week 1 I'll try to do 30 minutes. And each day of week two, I'll do at least 35 minutes. My true goal is the 30 minutes, and hope to well-exceed it as time goes by.

So far, mostly so good, but I'm getting there. Gained a little weight, but I'm not concerned. My mileage is still low, as it the intensity. Some of my workouts are walk-runs. It will accumulate.

To all of you who struggle to keep at it, you can do it. So can I.

Join me on Facebook, whudja? 

https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyTrendl

My Keister Has Moved (Mere 1.4 Miles)

1.4 miles run1.4 miles walked

total: 2.8 miles

78°F | °C
Partly Cloudy
Wind: S at 2 mph
Humidity: 71%
course: neighborhood loop

With the amazing addition to our family, much has been turned around. Once again, as is the sad saga of my fitness, I am out of shape. For such a short run, I'm tired and sore.

Any interesting ads on my blog?

I weighed myself pre-run, and was unimpressed. I'm going to avoid weighing myself for the next month, and, if I stick with just getting my keister out there, expect progress.

I Wanna Be The Sign Guy - 5.25 Comfortable Miles

Bank of America Chicago Marathon
10-10-10

5.25 miles run (44:40 - 8:30/mile) 

0.50 miles walk (7:50 - 15:00/mile)

6.00 miles walk earlier in the day 

total: 11.75 miles
course: Streets of Chicago, home treadmill

I want to be the guy in the sign tomorrow. I really do. Instead, I'll be carrying the togs of another runner who made, and stuck by, the decision to race. I don't get to be the guy in the sign because I did not do the job to get there.

Today, during a six mile walk around Chicago's Loop, I saw runners, I saw signs like you see here, and I smelled desire. Hundreds of people passed me who know the runner's dilemma. They understand what running is, and they followed through.

In the strictest sense, the Chicago walk was no workout, but calories were burned and so fitness is now six miles closer. Tonight's run, however, was a smooth, easy gallop, yet faster than I have run in a while.

Up early tomorrow to catch a ride with my marathoning friend. She's aiming for a sub-4 hour race -- she needs that to qualify for the 2011 Boston Marathon.

Did you catch my most recent Red Bandana column? High School Students at Chicago Marathon and a 2011 Challenge What's the challenge? Hint: It involves beer.

Running?

Am I running?

Good question.

Since I have posted, I have walked. Not enough. Not run.

5.3 miles once with friend Justice.
5.5 miles yesterday at Springbrook Prairie

Several three-mile walks. A half dozen?

A few things threw me off running. A combination of life, some physical stuff, and some personal stuff. Took the wind out of my sails. As one person e-mailed me, "how about a little more running and a little less pontificating." Took me off my guard and snagged some of the fun of running for me. So I haven't posted or run. It is strange how things can be discouraging.

That said, yesterday's walk was good. Once around Springbrook at a leisurely, non-workout pace. Birds, flowers, grass, and the tiniest of toads were abundant and alive.
The hot mid-afternoon sun burned my neck.

Then, it rained. In Chicagoland, including west of there, where I live, we have seen tremendous amount of spring storms in the last month. I don't what the average is, but it seems like we have experienced more than usual.

Yesterday's rain was especially complex. The sky changed colors every minute. Warnings were abound. Sirens, the radio. I wanted to get home, but traffic was hard.

Naperville Road was just resurfaced. And my brakes were just fixed (new pads). Cars in front of me abruptly stopped. I hydroplaned. Whack. Not too complicated, but horrible just the same. I was doing everything right, but things all sort of converged. Scary.

No one was hurt, although my neck is stiff and I have a welt on my left forearm. The car looks totaled, and so I am on the hunt to replace it. Anyone want to buy a 2003 Corolla LE in great condition except for a big, BIG dent in the front? Really, I gotta unload this thing. Good for wheels, parts. Inside is perfect.