Hey Paul, long time reader of yours (for the NBA and more niche Celtics insight) and I enjoyed your earlier posts this year about your running prep/practice (and about the folks on the trails - saw a lot of those myself). Like you, I ran in high school and got back to running for exercise about 10 years ago, but didn't love road running a ton, but about 3 years ago I discovered trail racing and have really enjoyed that experience (and would be happy to share with the community some of those race series most of which have multiple distance options). Anyway, I hope you get into some of your gear suggestions, trail locations, etc. Finally, I have really appreciated how you reflect on your running practice as it has helped me think about running as more than just physical exercise which has helped motivate me. I hope, as things improve, there can even be some level of an in-person community, especially around an event/race. Thanks and I look forward to what will come next (podcast, etc.).
First, yes absolutely feel free to share those with the group. I'll help amplify. Second, thanks so much for the kind words. I have plans to get into everything you mentioned and would love to put together some kind of event in the future.
Paul, I am really enjoying your writing and this community. It’s great to read the comments. We all run differently - distance, speed, elevation, etc and reading what people are sharing reminds us of that. Regardless of the distance or time it takes, it’s just about getting out there and everyone is supporting each other. Great to see that!
I started running 10 years ago. Between living in Portland, Salt Lake City and now Scottsdale I have ran through all weather types. Can’t say I enjoyed running in the rain, but running in 15 degree temps wasn’t so bad if it was dry. Like you say, it’s the gear. Now I have the opposite to deal with, having to wake up hours before the sun comes up in the summer, simply to run in the 90’s. My goal when I started running was to lose weight and get my mental psyche up. Now in my 40’s I’m in the best shape of my life (physically and mentally). I used to say I hated running but now enjoy it so much.
My happy place is when I travel and going for a morning run somewhere I’ve never been. New scenery, new terrain it’s paradise.
"If training teaches us anything, it's the ability to focus on the day-to-day while adapting to changing circumstances without losing sight of the big picture."
That's good. I like that a lot.
I struggle to motivate toward specific training schedules or goals without a race to train for. A year ago, I ran my first marathon - the California International Marathon in Sacramento. I read it was a pretty easy course. Maybe it is, but I had a tougher time than I expected. Still finished under 4 hours, barely.
My big goal was to run the Big Sur Marathon. I live in Monterey County and was able to register for the April 2020 race via resident-lottery in July 2019. Of course, then March of this year came around and it was clear it wouldn't happen. They postponed the race to the fall, then cancelled again. That was very disappointing, though like so many other things it's kind of faded into the general blur of all the things that went out the window in 2020. At this point I'm not sure when it's realistic to expect races to happen again. I'm looking forward to running Big Sur someday.
Weekend runs -- my longer run distance these days is 7-9 miles. I haven't run down in Carmel in a while so I'm thinking I'll do a 9 mile route over there that I've done several times before. For the other day I'm thinking I'll run down into Pilarcitos Canyon over at Ford Ord.
Every time I hear "easy course," I think to myself, yeah but for who. I'm going to get into motivation without races in future posts. Keep it up. You're doing great.
For what it’s worth, I love the newsletter model. I find it easier/more natural to read and reflect on something that’s been sitting in my inbox, rather that having to find a website to read a post. But that might just be me.
i appreciate your sharing of the personal journey. as someone that runs for the solitary, therapeutic aspects of running but don't quite have the right words to describe the effects it has on me, reading your words helps me reflect on why i do it.
Guys, I've been pestering Skeetsy on Twitter and Instagram a lot about this. But couldn't you two get together and record a podcast on running? Would be so dope. Love the newsletter and will make sure to get access once the money model ist up and running (no pun intended).
Hey Paul, long time reader of yours (for the NBA and more niche Celtics insight) and I enjoyed your earlier posts this year about your running prep/practice (and about the folks on the trails - saw a lot of those myself). Like you, I ran in high school and got back to running for exercise about 10 years ago, but didn't love road running a ton, but about 3 years ago I discovered trail racing and have really enjoyed that experience (and would be happy to share with the community some of those race series most of which have multiple distance options). Anyway, I hope you get into some of your gear suggestions, trail locations, etc. Finally, I have really appreciated how you reflect on your running practice as it has helped me think about running as more than just physical exercise which has helped motivate me. I hope, as things improve, there can even be some level of an in-person community, especially around an event/race. Thanks and I look forward to what will come next (podcast, etc.).
First, yes absolutely feel free to share those with the group. I'll help amplify. Second, thanks so much for the kind words. I have plans to get into everything you mentioned and would love to put together some kind of event in the future.
Paul, I am really enjoying your writing and this community. It’s great to read the comments. We all run differently - distance, speed, elevation, etc and reading what people are sharing reminds us of that. Regardless of the distance or time it takes, it’s just about getting out there and everyone is supporting each other. Great to see that!
I started running 10 years ago. Between living in Portland, Salt Lake City and now Scottsdale I have ran through all weather types. Can’t say I enjoyed running in the rain, but running in 15 degree temps wasn’t so bad if it was dry. Like you say, it’s the gear. Now I have the opposite to deal with, having to wake up hours before the sun comes up in the summer, simply to run in the 90’s. My goal when I started running was to lose weight and get my mental psyche up. Now in my 40’s I’m in the best shape of my life (physically and mentally). I used to say I hated running but now enjoy it so much.
My happy place is when I travel and going for a morning run somewhere I’ve never been. New scenery, new terrain it’s paradise.
Thanks for getting this started, it’s awesome!
Love this so much. I've run in Portland a few times and had an amazing experience. Only thing I miss about NBA travel is finding new places to run.
"If training teaches us anything, it's the ability to focus on the day-to-day while adapting to changing circumstances without losing sight of the big picture."
That's good. I like that a lot.
I struggle to motivate toward specific training schedules or goals without a race to train for. A year ago, I ran my first marathon - the California International Marathon in Sacramento. I read it was a pretty easy course. Maybe it is, but I had a tougher time than I expected. Still finished under 4 hours, barely.
My big goal was to run the Big Sur Marathon. I live in Monterey County and was able to register for the April 2020 race via resident-lottery in July 2019. Of course, then March of this year came around and it was clear it wouldn't happen. They postponed the race to the fall, then cancelled again. That was very disappointing, though like so many other things it's kind of faded into the general blur of all the things that went out the window in 2020. At this point I'm not sure when it's realistic to expect races to happen again. I'm looking forward to running Big Sur someday.
Weekend runs -- my longer run distance these days is 7-9 miles. I haven't run down in Carmel in a while so I'm thinking I'll do a 9 mile route over there that I've done several times before. For the other day I'm thinking I'll run down into Pilarcitos Canyon over at Ford Ord.
Every time I hear "easy course," I think to myself, yeah but for who. I'm going to get into motivation without races in future posts. Keep it up. You're doing great.
Good luck with the final training block. (Also snow sucks; move to Cali)
Snow is good for you. Builds character. Good luck with your 1/2. You better tell us how it went.
I'll send up a smoke signal
For what it’s worth, I love the newsletter model. I find it easier/more natural to read and reflect on something that’s been sitting in my inbox, rather that having to find a website to read a post. But that might just be me.
Great piece — looking forward to reading more.
I'm really liking it too. Thanks for being here.
i appreciate your sharing of the personal journey. as someone that runs for the solitary, therapeutic aspects of running but don't quite have the right words to describe the effects it has on me, reading your words helps me reflect on why i do it.
That's super appreciated. Thank you.
paul you rock and this is really great
Thanks Martin! You do too.
@Pflanns — What GPS / running app is that?
Coros watch. Easiest app interface I've ever encountered. Going to write about it for next week, actually.
Guys, I've been pestering Skeetsy on Twitter and Instagram a lot about this. But couldn't you two get together and record a podcast on running? Would be so dope. Love the newsletter and will make sure to get access once the money model ist up and running (no pun intended).
All good things in good time. Appreciate the support.
Thanks for the reply. I'll bide my time then and enjoy your writing in the meantime. :)