If You're Looking for Something to Read

I've been amusing myself by compiling a list of books about running, runners, and marathons in some free software called LibraryThing. Click on the button below to take a look at my "catalog" of running-related books. Note that I have only read a few of these myself!



If you click on the title of a book you're interested in, and then look at the "This Book" box on the left, you'll see an option to search for the book in a variety of bookstores and also, to search a tool called WorldCat to find the book in a library near you.

Photos of the Past and a Plan for the Future

Today my Marathon Foto CD arrived. It was a bit pricey, but since I don't have any other pictures of myself or the event I decided to spring for it. I like them because I really do look like I was enjoying the experience. It makes me happy to see that. I've posted them on the web at least temporarily.

Within a day or two after the 21 Miler, I came to the realization that I really want to do a marathon soon, while I'm so close to being ready, rather than waiting 9-12 months as I had originally planned. Not only do I feel physically ready to continue training towards that goal, but also, I felt an unexpected emptiness without a new goal to anticipate and work towards. So I've signed up for the San Francisco Marathon at the end of July, and I'm really excited about it. Probably not the easiest one for a first-timer, but I figure after Hurricane Point and the other challenges of the Big Sur 21-miler, I'm probably as ready as I'll ever be.

Everything is Back to Normal

It's hard to believe that almost a week has past since the Big Sur Marathon. This time a week ago I was stuffing myself at the spaghetti feed. Although my quads were sore for a few days, I managed to get in two 4-6 mile runs during the week. Today I did 12 miles, starting in Carmel with the Laundry Runners group. It feels great to be in a place where 12 miles feels, if not "easy," at least routine. I'd like to keep that base so that I don't have to start from scratch when I find a marathon to do in the summer or fall, and so I can do half-marathons without it being a big deal. An extra treat was that today I was able to join many of the group for coffee in Carmel after the run. Recently I've missed the socializing because of running longer and slower than many, or doing the one-way run from Carmel to Monterey.

I've been thinking about the past four months of training leading up to last week, and have realized that a really important contributor to my success and enjoyment has been the interest and support of runners and others in the community. Numerous runners have given me advice and encouragement. Others (non-runners) have been interested in my progress and have expressed admiration for my efforts. It's been especially gratifying this past week that so many people wanted to hear about my experience (and of course, to talk about theirs if they did a Big Sur event, too!). This sounds trite, but I think it's true - "It takes a village to raise a runner!" Thanks to you all.