The Anti-Running Runner

Never Forget Image from Pixabay It's been 17 years since terrorists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center, killing almost 3,000 people including rescuers. One plane crashed into the Pentagon, killing nearly 200. The plane that was bound for another target crashed into a field, the lives of those on the plane numbering 40 people. Most of us remember where we were on 9/11/01. Some lost family, friends, and loved ones. Where Was I on 9/11/01? As a sophomore at Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, where I would later earn my B.A. in English, I was in poetry class at the time of the attack in New York City. Not until after class did I hear from people in the hallways that the World Trade Center had been struck by planes. From a visit to my alma mater in 2016 When I left class, I walked to the house on Saragossa Street where I lived with six other female roommates. I found most of them glued to the television. And I couldn't look away, either....

A Few of My Favorite Running Things Maybe you don't wear exactly the same brands as I do, but I swear by certain running items. Hopefully you can come in to the store sometime and get some of the awesome must-haves for runners. Or you've got a running store near you that carries the same or similar brands. If not, message me in the comments because St. Pete Running Company does ship. What's Been Going On With Me? I know, I know. You're wondering where the heck I've been. Or not. Mostly, you'll see me on Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter . Or you've noticed that I blog much more frequently at Writing For the Love with my latest writing updates. Currently submitting my novel, Sprinter, to agents. Two requests so far! Getting Better as a Runner Running has been awesome for me this year. At the Florida Road Race Series where I completed all four Halfathons, I bettered my times at three races in a row. My new half marathon PR ha...

As this is a review about a running book, I thought it fitting to include on both my writing blog and my running blog. I’m actively submitting my novel, Sprinter , to agents and publishers. In the meantime, besides working on other writing, I’m searching for books similar to mine because that is a question often asked in the submission guidelines: which books are similar to yours? When I found The Lola Papers , I thought it might be somewhat similar to my book. In some ways it is, as both main characters are female, runners, and pursuing running goals while taking note of how much running parallels life. In other ways, not so much. My book is fiction, Lola is non-fiction. But I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it. Lola is a runner’s journey from sporadic and half-hearted running to serious racing. Her coach, Mr. Speedy Pants, provides the wisdom and insight of a seasoned and studly runner who isn’t ashamed of his own awesomeness. Following our main character throug...

I continue to build mileage with the Vibrams, but it's going much slower than I anticipated. I ran four miles in Georgia, and that is the farthest distance I have gone. Love, love, love running around my sister's neighborhood in Georgia After that, I felt a little tenderness on the bottom of my feet, but not terrible. The next time I ran, one of my big toes blistered on the bottom and ripped. That hurt. A lot. So I took a break. A week later, after only running once in my Saucony's, I ran again with the Vibram's. The other toe felt like it was blistering. It hurt, though not as bad as the other one. Sigh...I think it's still a matter of building up callouses, but it's just taking a lot of time. I'm still not sure if I'll be able to run the half marathon in October with the Vibrams, though I'd like to. If not, I'll be searching for some new Saucony's as my old favs were discontinued. Sunday, my dear friend, Hea, let me watch the O...

I’ve been really busy (writing, Orlando trip, family visiting on the 4 th ) but wanted to give a brief shoe update. I love the Vibrams! Why? ·         So lightweight and comfy ·         My toes like not touching each other ·         Forces me to run with better posture ·         I was a sprinter in high school, and this makes me feel like there’s still a sprinter in me somewhere ·         I feel like a “real” runner when I wear them ·         No need for socks (one less thing to remember when I pack my running bag) ·         General sense of body adjusting well (joints, knees, back etc have no problems) ·         In the Florida summer heat and humidity, it’s a nice excuse to run slower an...