running – 300 words a day

just go

I was sitting in the chaplaincy office the other day when a colleague came in. He passed on a request that he had received from a patient. We talked about some other work things. And then. “How are you doing,” my friend said. “How’s the family? How’s your running? Were you training for a marathon […]

by Jon Swanson

Why I quit running.

I was doing great. As of July 22, I had run at least a mile every day for 425 days. In a row. On July 23, I didn’t run. I wasn’t injured. I didn’t forget. I made a choice. I switched my focus from running every day to training for a marathon. I asked a […]

by Jon Swanson

A word on streaks.

(A guest post from Ted Harris) 18,937 – 2,632 – 56 – 24 – 23 – 16 All of these numbers carry little significance except to the person they represent. 18,937 straight days I have awakened to a new day. 2,632 consecutive games played by Cal Ripken, Jr. 56 straight games with a hit for […]

by Jon Swanson

Running with weights.

“Want to try a little experiment?” Paul said. “Take this package.” It was about the size of a big brick, wrapped with grey duct tape. Tim took it. The handoff was a little awkward because the two men were running. “That’s not too heavy,” Tim said. “About five pounds?” “Good guess,” Paul said. He shook his […]

by Jon Swanson

On being a runner.

The morning was perfect. Low sixties (16C), low humidity, no clouds. Tim was feeling much better about running than he had been on that Monday a couple weeks before. He was feeling better in general. He showed up at the park and started running slowly, allowing his body to warmup. He nodded to the people he […]