One of my favorite quotes comes from T.S. Eliot. It reads, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
Continue reading “Too Far?”
Tag: Training
Slowing Down? No Way!
People ask me about retirement. What do you do now? Are you slowing down?
Slowing down?!
No way. I’m gearing up!
Continue reading “Slowing Down? No Way!”
Always Striving To Be Better!
I don’t know the last time I ever ran ten miles in under ninety minutes, but it was a long time ago.
Guys in their mid-fifties aren’t supposed to be this fast.
As I ran today, I zoomed past lightning. He couldn’t keep up.
***
It feels great to work diligently toward a goal, any goal, and to achieve it. I didn’t think I’d ever be this fast again.
But here’s the thing about goals… once you get there, there’s always the next one. There is always a new mountain to climb – always something else to strive for.
Continue reading “Always Striving To Be Better!”
We Don’t Have To Slow Down
I am well into my 16-week marathon training program.
Continue reading “We Don’t Have To Slow Down”
A Smart Choice
In 2022, I determined to run every single day for a calendar year. I set out on January 1 and I ran each and every day.
I set a lofty goal, and then, through perseverance, determination, tenacity, and will, I accomplished that goal.
I ran 1,700 miles last year, or an average of 4.65 miles each and every day. I am proud that I was able to do that.
I’m now writing a book of this experience which I hope will serve as motivation for other runners and goal-setters. We can all do more than we ever imagined. You just need to set a plan and get out there and do it.
We also can’t let failure get in the way of pressing forward. I had plenty of years when I thought about and/or tried to run each day and didn’t make it. I learned as I failed from each setback.
But last year, I accomplished my goal.
Then, on January 1, 2023, I went out and ran again. I only did three miles in a new running shoe I was trying out (the Saucony Tempus), but it was three miles and the running streak continued…
But then, on January 2, I made a very sound decision. I made a smart choice. Sanity prevailed.
I didn’t run.
Continue reading “A Smart Choice”
I DID IT!
December 31, 2022
***
It wasn’t easy, but it was great!
365 consecutive days of running! A perfect year.
364 Means Just One More
December 30, 2022
***
One day. Just one more day. One day to go…
For a long time, the better part of a decade (at least), I had entertained the idea of running every single day for an entire year. In most years, I rationalized that it was a bad idea. I figured it would become burdensome. I figured it would get in the way of everything else I was trying to accomplish.
Some years I thought the idea was just plain stupid.
Continue reading “364 Means Just One More”
91.6
Eleven twelfths.
One to go.
91.6% through what seemed, at times, and often, like a never-ending task.
***
I once thought that it might be fun to run every single day for an entire calendar year.
Continue reading “91.6”
TOMORROW!!!
Tomorrow is the New York City Marathon.
I just completed my 16-week training period with a slow and easy 2.80 mile run. That run put me at 680 total miles for the 16 weeks. I averaged 42.5 miles a week for that entire period.
I’m in my mid-fifties, but those 680 miles were the most I ever ran in any training period. My previous high came way back in 2007 as I trained for the Marine Corps Marathon. I did 674 miles in training that year.
Continue reading “TOMORROW!!!”
300 Days
October 27, 2022
***
I wanted to make sure I was correct so I counted and recounted and counted again.
Yes. Today was the day. I had it marked on my calendar so I assumed it was, I was sure it was, but I needed to check and double-check, and triple-check just to make sure.
I had to be certain about this.
300.
300 consecutive days of running!
Continue reading “300 Days”
Dr. Sem's Blog 