I really liked True Believers by Rebecca Makkai, so glad to see your recommendation of another book by her. For some reason, I am blanking on the books I've read this year. Have to look at my book shelf when I get home. I do remember reading Blond by Joyce Carol Oats this summer and Newsroom Confidential by Margaret Sullivan (she was my sister's best friend in childhood).
Running. Hmmmm. Coming back from meniscus surgery last July. Slowly ramping up the mileage this fall. My plan is to run Beast of Burden 50 mile at the end of Jan. (I've run the 100 and 50 there a few times). I want to see how things hold up. If that goes okay, I am registered for Umstead. I've run there before and like to go since I combine the race with a visit to close friends. The race director and organization are great! Toying with Vermont 100K. I've run the 100 m there but I have never run a 100K. It would be nice to go back there. The RD is wonderful and the race has had a couple of tough years with cancellations. There are a couple of 50k's I like to do that aren't a big drive--Finger Lakes 50 and Greenlakes.. I think I'd like to get back to those since I missed them this year. A couple of running buddies did some fast pack type runs on different sections of the Erie Canal last summer and plan to do more this coming year. I'd like to join on some of those.
I'm excited for you with Grand to Grand. Your recountings of past adventures there are wonderful!
Never say never is a good motto, because after you interviewd me and I denied any ideas about 200's...well, I'm toying with it:)
I'll definitely look into your book list. As long as I can get any at the library, no matter how long the wait is, it's my way to read, so some recommendations occasionally don't work.
Definitely voluneering, and for sure no UTMB (not to race anyay, ever). Frankly, I wasn't interested before, so I just didn't change (or gotten any stronger opinionated on that).
Sorry about 9 years of HR lottery, damn! I mean, after my finish, I was in the lottery for the next 7 or 8, until I ran out of qualifyers (as I enetered my OTS). Now, I'm simply no longer interested. When a runner is removed from the scene for some years for whatever reasons, it gives perspective that is different. I'm simply not into being hung up by the lotteries and wait lists and stuff. I don't have time for this in my life, aging does that;)
I’ve been a little behind on my reading lately it’s been a little crazy in the ER. Thanks for being my run Yoda (yup thats the name on your email folder🤣. I continue to appreciate the advice. Stay safe and healthy out there.
Your selection process is a lot like mine (and Grand to Grand sounds like a great decision). I need a race from the Hardrock list for 2024 (no lottery luck this year) so I just entered the Cascade Crest lottery, so we'll see.
One of my favorite books this year is the one I'm reading now: "The Emerald Mile" by Kevin Fedarko (and it might have some relevance to your Grand to Grand adventure) — excellent writing about the fastest float through the Grand Canyon, but also the broader story of the canyon and the Colorado River, the dams, etc. Highly recommended.
My favorite book this year was Running Home by Katie Arnold. I was lucky enough to spend a few days at High Camp with her on a writing and running retreat, and realize I need more of that off-grid time in my life! My 'A' race for next year is the Grand Traverse! Been eyeing it for years, and 2024 is the year I'm going to go for it!!
Thank you for sharing Windfall with your readers! It was such a thrill having you as an early reader/supporter. And I DEFINITELY need a writing retreat myself this year!
I am so glad to have found your newsletter thanks to yesterday’s runner-Substack-meetup! It’s hard to choose a favorite book of the year, but I just finished Matthew Perry’s Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Things last night and as someone who lost someone to addiction, I found it incredibly moving and gave me some insight -- or what I imagine is insight -- into their struggles. A race, I think, is going to be the Staten Island Half this fall. I am also running the Women’s Half this spring, and while it’s certainly my A race for the spring, those Central Park hills -- two loops of the park?! -- are going to be tough. I’ll put my name in the lottery for the NYC marathon and if I get into that, everything changes. It’ll be my first marathon. So eek!
I’m so excited for you and your running adventures in the new year! Grand to Grand sounds intense but also really cool.
You have so many great book recommendations here and we have similar taste in fiction. (Thanks for including me 😊). Definitely adding a few of these to my list.
Thanks for mentioning my writing retreats. After 30+ years of leading retreats, I think they have a perfect shape for deep nourishment and lots of writing progress.
I love your book lists - lots of my favs there too. Here are a couple of books I loved:
Zorrie by Laird Hunt
They're Going to Love You Meg Howrey
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Loot by Tania James
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
Everything Claire Keegan has written!
When Women Were Dragons (middle sags but end is amazing) by Kelly Barnhill
Grand to Grand sounds intense. I’m looking forward to reading all about it in your newsletter!
I registered for Broken Arrow 23k yesterday so I think that’s my A race. I want to ring that bell. I am hoping for less snow on the course than last year. I’m also toying with registering for the Bizz Johnson marathon. I’m turning 40 next year so if I’m going to run a marathon at some point (and I’d like to) then no time like my 40th year to do so and a mostly downhill rail trail marathon appeals to me.
Favorite books this year: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson and Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal.
We have a lot of overlap in books! I’m reading Trust right now and am blown away. And I love your criteria for race planning. I often have a hard time planning much farther than 6 months ahead. I have some buildup races planned (including a fatass I’m organizing on Presidents’ Day weekend in Keith’s memory), but my A race for spring is tentatively Antelope Island 100. I DNS’d it a couple years ago due to a torn hamstring, and it comes at a good time and works well logistically. I think you’ll enjoy Leona! I ran the 50-mile there a couple years ago and would definitely go back. Well organized and a challenging, beautiful course.
I really liked True Believers by Rebecca Makkai, so glad to see your recommendation of another book by her. For some reason, I am blanking on the books I've read this year. Have to look at my book shelf when I get home. I do remember reading Blond by Joyce Carol Oats this summer and Newsroom Confidential by Margaret Sullivan (she was my sister's best friend in childhood).
Running. Hmmmm. Coming back from meniscus surgery last July. Slowly ramping up the mileage this fall. My plan is to run Beast of Burden 50 mile at the end of Jan. (I've run the 100 and 50 there a few times). I want to see how things hold up. If that goes okay, I am registered for Umstead. I've run there before and like to go since I combine the race with a visit to close friends. The race director and organization are great! Toying with Vermont 100K. I've run the 100 m there but I have never run a 100K. It would be nice to go back there. The RD is wonderful and the race has had a couple of tough years with cancellations. There are a couple of 50k's I like to do that aren't a big drive--Finger Lakes 50 and Greenlakes.. I think I'd like to get back to those since I missed them this year. A couple of running buddies did some fast pack type runs on different sections of the Erie Canal last summer and plan to do more this coming year. I'd like to join on some of those.
I'm excited for you with Grand to Grand. Your recountings of past adventures there are wonderful!
Never say never is a good motto, because after you interviewd me and I denied any ideas about 200's...well, I'm toying with it:)
I'll definitely look into your book list. As long as I can get any at the library, no matter how long the wait is, it's my way to read, so some recommendations occasionally don't work.
Definitely voluneering, and for sure no UTMB (not to race anyay, ever). Frankly, I wasn't interested before, so I just didn't change (or gotten any stronger opinionated on that).
Sorry about 9 years of HR lottery, damn! I mean, after my finish, I was in the lottery for the next 7 or 8, until I ran out of qualifyers (as I enetered my OTS). Now, I'm simply no longer interested. When a runner is removed from the scene for some years for whatever reasons, it gives perspective that is different. I'm simply not into being hung up by the lotteries and wait lists and stuff. I don't have time for this in my life, aging does that;)
I’ve been a little behind on my reading lately it’s been a little crazy in the ER. Thanks for being my run Yoda (yup thats the name on your email folder🤣. I continue to appreciate the advice. Stay safe and healthy out there.
Hello Beautiful was my favorite book of the year :)
I'm so glad I found you on Substack! I used to follow your blog back in the day.
Your selection process is a lot like mine (and Grand to Grand sounds like a great decision). I need a race from the Hardrock list for 2024 (no lottery luck this year) so I just entered the Cascade Crest lottery, so we'll see.
Re: running in the snow... that reminded me of this post https://dwrowland.substack.com/i/138605441/environment-the-modifications-of-hemoglobin-erythropoietin-values-and-running-performance-while-training-at-mountain-vs-hilltop-vs-seaside from @Daniel Rowland a few weeks ago that says running in sand has some training value for simulating altitude — seems like the right kind of snow running might have similar benefits..
One of my favorite books this year is the one I'm reading now: "The Emerald Mile" by Kevin Fedarko (and it might have some relevance to your Grand to Grand adventure) — excellent writing about the fastest float through the Grand Canyon, but also the broader story of the canyon and the Colorado River, the dams, etc. Highly recommended.
My favorite book this year was Running Home by Katie Arnold. I was lucky enough to spend a few days at High Camp with her on a writing and running retreat, and realize I need more of that off-grid time in my life! My 'A' race for next year is the Grand Traverse! Been eyeing it for years, and 2024 is the year I'm going to go for it!!
Thank you for sharing Windfall with your readers! It was such a thrill having you as an early reader/supporter. And I DEFINITELY need a writing retreat myself this year!
I am so glad to have found your newsletter thanks to yesterday’s runner-Substack-meetup! It’s hard to choose a favorite book of the year, but I just finished Matthew Perry’s Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Things last night and as someone who lost someone to addiction, I found it incredibly moving and gave me some insight -- or what I imagine is insight -- into their struggles. A race, I think, is going to be the Staten Island Half this fall. I am also running the Women’s Half this spring, and while it’s certainly my A race for the spring, those Central Park hills -- two loops of the park?! -- are going to be tough. I’ll put my name in the lottery for the NYC marathon and if I get into that, everything changes. It’ll be my first marathon. So eek!
I’m so excited for you and your running adventures in the new year! Grand to Grand sounds intense but also really cool.
You have so many great book recommendations here and we have similar taste in fiction. (Thanks for including me 😊). Definitely adding a few of these to my list.
I am so intrigued by stage races, but most of them have too many miles for me, so I’d love to hear about your Run the Rocks experience in March!
Thanks for mentioning my writing retreats. After 30+ years of leading retreats, I think they have a perfect shape for deep nourishment and lots of writing progress.
I love your book lists - lots of my favs there too. Here are a couple of books I loved:
Zorrie by Laird Hunt
They're Going to Love You Meg Howrey
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Loot by Tania James
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
Everything Claire Keegan has written!
When Women Were Dragons (middle sags but end is amazing) by Kelly Barnhill
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
True Biz by Sara Novic
Small Pleasures by Claire Chambers
Look forward to meeting Sarah!!
Grand to Grand sounds intense. I’m looking forward to reading all about it in your newsletter!
I registered for Broken Arrow 23k yesterday so I think that’s my A race. I want to ring that bell. I am hoping for less snow on the course than last year. I’m also toying with registering for the Bizz Johnson marathon. I’m turning 40 next year so if I’m going to run a marathon at some point (and I’d like to) then no time like my 40th year to do so and a mostly downhill rail trail marathon appeals to me.
Favorite books this year: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson and Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal.
We have a lot of overlap in books! I’m reading Trust right now and am blown away. And I love your criteria for race planning. I often have a hard time planning much farther than 6 months ahead. I have some buildup races planned (including a fatass I’m organizing on Presidents’ Day weekend in Keith’s memory), but my A race for spring is tentatively Antelope Island 100. I DNS’d it a couple years ago due to a torn hamstring, and it comes at a good time and works well logistically. I think you’ll enjoy Leona! I ran the 50-mile there a couple years ago and would definitely go back. Well organized and a challenging, beautiful course.
A chapter of Fight Night was featured on This American Life a couple of months ago. You've pushed me to tracking down a copy!