Minimalist running

After Born To Run was mentioned on Running My Own Race, I proceeded to get myself a copy and immerse myself in it. The book paints a fascinating picture of ultrarunning...so much so that we mere marathon/half marathon runners pale in comparison. There is something awfully romantic about testing the limits of your endurance in a breathtaking, but unforgiving and downright dangerous landscape. But what got me really interested is the author's overwhelming endorsement of the minimalist approach to running. The author seeks a remedy to the various injuries that sideline runners constantly...and finds a universal solution - moving away from highly cushioned running shoes.

The message resonates with me because I am on the verge of throwing up my hands in despair. Every time I reach a solid level of running fitness, I slide right back to Square 1, thanks to my weak tendons. Building speed and mileage beyond a point seem like an impossible dream. I have had no luck at running stores. A month ago, I underwent a video gait analysis followed by the purchase of "stability plus" shoes and insoles. This only caused the tendonitis to be replaced by angry arches and a host of other aches and pains in my foot.

I am now cautiously feeling my way back to running. For a gal who hated the dreadmill with all her heart, I have come a long way...just try pool running for over an hour. At least on the 'mill, you know how far you've run...pool running is the ultimate dead end! And what's worse, you have people staring at you like you've lost your mind. It's a good thing I don't embarrass easily. I take that back...I don't embarrass, period! To preserve my sanity, I stopped short of doing long runs in the pool...now that would guarantee me a spot at an insane asylum.

My strength training sessions now incorporate a good amount of hip and lower leg strength building, whereas previously, they focused mainly on the abs.

On every tentative run, I watch my running posture, foot turnover and footstrike, and try to land on my entire foot, not the heel. It is a gradual process. The "stability plus" and the insoles are going back. I still use my old shoes, and I am slowly exploring running without much support. As with anything else, I understand there is a transition phase. I am NOT looking for a bunch of other injuries and blisters. I don't see myself switching to barefoot running entirely...I rather like the soft soles of my somewhat-manly feet. But I am trying other variations of minimalist running...like running in socks on the treadmill and running in water shoes on grass and tarmac (I don't believe in throwing away $70+ with gay abandon on a pair of VFFs, unless I want to continue with this experiment). Hey, why should going tribal cost so much? One of the things that attracted me to running in the first place is that it is the cheapest sport you can find! I have also started walking around the house barefoot or in socks.

The result so far:

-Tight calves and achilles...this is bound to happen when you change your foot strike, I am told (I use DH's drum sticks on my calves after a run, in lieu of a foam roller (Ouch!!! I really need a foam roller!))

-A sore spot on the top of my left foot

-Slight soreness below my right knee

But the soreness is not aggravated by running and the tendons have been behaving thus far.

On the group run at the towpath on Saturday, I noticed that everyone ahead of me neatly landed either on their whole feet or on the ball of their feet, definitely not on the heel. Am I the last one to receive the memo?

We know heels are not the best shock-absorbers, but this video really brought it home to me.

Minimalist running usually attracts strong, diverse opinions from runners. What are your thoughts/experiences? Have you ever tried it/are you considering trying it? If you have tried it, what's the verdict?

Fires in the Dark

Reading about different cultures and lifestyles in various time periods is fascinating. This book will take you into the lives, customs and traditions of the Romani gypsies, before and during the Second World War. There are tons of books on the holocaust and life and death in labor camps, but this one portrays the terror, despair and the hope that sustained people through those terrible years with such empathy, it almost brings them back to life. It will take you through the world of a proud Romani family and on the journey of its only survivor, who manages to escape from a prison camp, live out the war and scrape together a new life after the war. Very moving!

Last night's dinner: Roast (tandoori) chicken. Mmm...DH has a way with meat!

This week's workouts:

Monday: 7 miles.

Tuesday: 5 miles (3 tempo-ish miles; Average: 9:24 per mile) + BodyWorks + spinning - Whew! A 5-mile run and 2 hours at the gym on the same day can be brutal. As my legs were spinning mechanically, my mind was spinning out glorious visions of the leftover roast chicken in my refrigerator.

Since the long run on Saturday, the sole of my right foot has been bothering me. Not enough to stop me from running, just a nagging ache. I tried icing it and repeated the Monopoly Game several times during the day, using ear plugs and paper clips instead of monopoly pieces (I keep a pair of ear plugs on hand, to protect my ear drums against DH's drumming, and they get reused for foot exercises! I know...I'm disgusting!) I just hope it works.

Spring has sprung

Thank you all so much for your supportive and encouraging comments on my Running and Blogging post. You make me want to blog more and more...so don't blame me if my posts and comments get longer and more frequent! It's all your fault!

I think NJ was determined to soak up as much sun as possible this weekend. With the weather being so dicey this year, people seem to want to squeeze every drop of enjoyment out of the days like this. I sure do.

Look at that sky...I mean, just look at it!!!

Friday evening, Ulla and I went for a stroll in Johnson Park (since I started running with the group at the park, I find myself rushing off to the park at the drop of a hat). Grills were out already and the breeze carried the heavenly smell of grilled meat in our direction. Mmm...have I told you I am always hungry?

This morning started out colder than I expected. I started my day at 5:45 am, reached the park at 6:40 and ran a reasonable-paced 7 miles before joining the group at 8 am. The usual effect of the group has been to push me to my speed limit for 2-3 miles, until I slow down deliberately and return to my snail-like pace. No sign of the competitive spirit that has always egged me on during races.

Today, I ran with an unfamiliar group for almost 3 miles (unfamiliar because I usually only see their backs). It was nice to be able to see their faces, for a change. I didn't even feel uncomfortable with the pace until someone called out that we were doing an 8:30 pace. Holy crap! I slowed down a bit and the group went ahead of me. I ran 3 miles at 8:45-9 minutes a mile. Then, 2 miles from the finish, my competitive spirit kicked in and I accelerated, determined to get to the parking lot before the group did. I did manage to edge them out by a few steps and felt very pleased with myself (they ran at least a mile more than I did, but who cares? I finished before they did! Hah!).

15 miles, bringing my total for the week to 37.6 miles.

I think I'm finally getting into gear for the Long Branch Half Marathon 2 weeks from now. The problem with doing the same race more than once is that no matter how well you run the race, you are never happy unless you PR! In 2007, I ran a great race. Being my first half marathon, I was happy with 1:52. It was a respectable time and I had nothing to compare it to. In 2008, I gave it my best, but struggled to keep the same pace. This time, I took a hard look at myself. Reality check: I'm older, not better prepared (a little more weekly mileage this time around, but no speed work whatsoever) and have no real chance of beating my previous performances. I just planned on enjoying the event...it is a beautifully organized event. But if today's run is any indication, I have hope. The competitor in me is still alive!

And, amazingly, I bounced back to normal pretty soon after the run (of course, you super moms and dads, who get zero recovery time after long runs are probably laughing at this, or shaking your heads. I have to hand it to you...you guys are superhuman!)

After buying up more books than we have room for, at the library sale...

...this ginormous lunch (Soppressata & mozzarella baguette...it sounds and looks drool-worthy, but I would only rate it average)...

...and Chicken salad sandwich (the reliable backup...DH & I take no chances when it comes to food)...

...and a couple of hours sprawled on the sunny patio, with The Chronicles of Narnia pressed against my nose (I must be in denial...as I grow older, my collection of books from the young adult category seems to be increasing)...

...I went biking with a friend, feeling as good as new.

Rain is expected tomorrow. I don't care. I had a great weekend. Hope you did, too.

Ribs and running

Friday night, we dined at TGI Friday's, and had delicious ribs for dinner.

DH ordered Baby back ribs with fries.

I had the Jack Daniel's Ribs & Shrimp, fries...

...and washed it down with Ultimate mojito.

We were so stuffed, we could not even think of dessert.

Ribs are not exactly the ideal dinner the night before a long run. All the fries went down, but it was still a whole lot of protein, way more fat than I needed and not near enough carbs.

So, it was not a surprise when Saturday morning's long run with the group was beyond brutal for me. People planning to run more than 6-7 miles usually met at 7, ran the first 4-6 miles, then joined the rest of the group at 8. I allowed myself a bit more sleep time and met the group at 8, by which time, runners were either finishing up their long runs or starting their 4-6 mile runs along the towpath. It was damp and a slight rain was coming down, with temperature in the high 40's. I fell into step with a group which was running much faster than I normally do. I could hold the pace for a 3-5 mile run, but not for the entire 12 miles.

After 3 miles, the group headed back, while I broke away. I was not wearing a fuel belt, so I would need to get back to the starting point to refuel. I decided to go a couple of miles further before turning back, but by then, I was feeling drained of energy. I slowed down considerably, but my muscles started hurting. I mechanically put one foot in front of the other and knew I would not stop unless I felt faint, but I was not enjoying the run. Maybe it was the ribs? Or the mojito? Or both?

I was grateful when I spotted my car. I had completed 10 miles. Sinking into the seat, I guzzled water, gatorade and a banana. I tore into a packet of GU as well, which restored my much-needed energy. The group had left by then, to have breakfast. I had planned to join them, but by this point, all I wanted was to complete my run, soak myself in an ice bath, then take a long, hot shower.

A couple of minutes later, I felt strong enough to run again. The last 2 miles were not the best, but you'd rather put your body through pain than quit so close to the finish. On retrospect, I think it was a decent run. I am so used to running uniformly slow runs, well within my comfort zone, that a little speed throws me off. I need to be able to do a few tough, race pace runs once in a while. But I can't be careless about fuel intake.

My weekly total is 32 miles.

After the run, I headed home, settled in an icebath with the Run Faster book. The book was so engrossing, that I stayed in the tub till my toenails turned blue. I waited for half hour, so my legs could fully benefit from the chillness of the icebath, took a heavenly hot shower, then feasted on everything I could lay my hands on.

Last night, DH and I had dinner with friends. We watched the Oprah-Eckhart Tolle DVD on A New Earth together. I've read the book, but it's simplicity and depth amaze me everytime.

Hope you had a lovely weekend.

Adaptive Running...Part I

Run Faster has provided me the motivation I need to get off my wimpy ass and do some speedwork. If you've been reading my blog, you know that my runs are referred to as 'easy', 'slow' or 'very slow'. None of the hills, intervals or LT training that you hardcore runners throw out casually in conversation.

In my defense, I have attempted intervals before. Before I was jerked back to reality by a painful achilles tendonitis.
Lesson 1: Never increase mileage and speed simultaneously.

So, I chugged along peacefully at snail's pace, completed my first marathon and then attempted a very conservative (or so I thought) tempo run while increasing mileage. Tendonitis again...this time, shooting pain all the way from toe to shin.
Lesson 2: Still the same rule: Never ever increase mileage and speed simultaneously.
As you can see, I am a slow learner!

So, since February, after nursing myself back to a pain-free state, I have been working on my mileage again, building my base slowly, following the 10% rule. So far so good.

Now, I am tempted again. But I want to do it wisely this time. Third time's a charm, right?

The author passes on lessons that he has learned in his life as a runner, then a coach. He talks about Adaptive running and training responsively, effective training methods and how to set running goals and plan a customized training cycle.

I am not going to prattle on, parroting the author and reproducing the entire book here. I will be quoting from the book a bit though, so consider yourself warned.

One thing that surprised me is the author's take on cross training. I have been peppering my weekly workouts with liberal doses of cross training, in the form of spinning classes, swimming and BodyFit (aerobics with core workout). I usually limit this to 2 spinning classes a week, one 20-40 minute swimming session, and 2 hours of core exercises (including a 1-hour BodyFit class).

The book says, "These days, I'm seeing more and more runners who seem to cross-train just to cross-train. I believe in a very selective approach to cross-training...
A little core-strength work goes a long way. I recommend doing five or six exercises two or three times each week. The most important muscles to target are those of the upper and lower back, buttocks, hips, lower abdomen, and thighs...
Alternative forms of cardiovascular exercise, such as bicycling, can be useful when running is painful or impossible due to an injury. The best way to approach alternative cardiovascular exercise is to duplicate the planned running workouts you're missing as closely as possible in whichever alternative activity you choose."
Which puts all my vigorous spinning and swimming in question. It makes sense that if you want to become a faster runner, you need to run more. But doesn't alternative cardio help boost your overall fitness and make you a stronger runner?

Another thing that floored me is his philosophy on hill running. It may be commensensical to you advanced runners (or even to beginner runners), but for me, thus far, hills have always equaled injury. When I went to a sports doctor for the achilles tendonitis, the first question he asked me was, "Have you been doing any speedwork or hill running?" Of course, the immediate assumption that hill running brings injury is based on fear, not fact. I have not even progressed to a point in my training where I feel comfortable researching the scientific pros and cons of hill training, let alone incorporating it in my workout.

But, it's interesting to know that the author uses hillwork throughout the training cycle as strength training and...get this...as a way to make a runner less injury-prone. In fact, he says, "Hill running is the only "weightlifting" my runners do. They hoist no barbells or dumbbells. They do some exercises to develop strength in their abdominal muscles and lower back, but that's it. Some other runners lift weights to build strength and prevent injuries (that's me, of course). I believe that short hill sprints achieve the same effect". Hmm...this book is breaking all my myths.

More to come. Have a great weekend!

Filling life with Books

When life becomes too full of stuff, something has to take the backseat. As it has been with reading for me over the past few weeks.

Reading helps me live vicariously, if only for a little while. I have to read something everyday...even if it is only a paragraph out of a book or a magazine. Compared to other bookworms, I am rather conservative...I am not a speed reader and I don't (interpret as can't) absorb more than 2 or 3 books at a given time. But I always have anywhere between 5 and 10 books lying around waiting to be read.

Right now, I am juggling between 3 books...one at dinner, one in spare moments on non-running days and one before I hit the sack. As you can imagine, I only have time to take a nibble out of each one every day. Unless a story gets so gripping that I abandon all sense of time and read straight through the night.

1. In the Heart of the sea (the story of the Nantucket whaleship Essex) by Nathaniel Philbrick - Dinner read.

This book won the National Book Award for non-fiction. Philbrick is my favorite author of non-fiction. He knows how to tell a story. His tales are full of so much intricate detail that you feel you are right there with the characters, living their lives. This one is no different. I have only started gnawing on this one, but I already know that one of these days, it will be an all-nighter.

2. Run Faster from the 5K to the marathon by Brad Hudson and Matt Fitzgerald - Non-running-day read. I can't wait to start customizing my workouts, Brad Hudson-sytle.

3. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (I'm reading this for the second time) - Bedtime read. Great stress-reliever and gives me hope that I am not a lost cause, after all!

Cookbooks give me great recipe ideas and are filled with glossy pics that make me drool...when it comes to food, I am a visual creature. My most recent creations come from these very handy books.

Johnson Park

After reading a lot about how Daylight Saving Time affects mood, sleeping and working patterns, not to mention the more long-term effects it can have on your heart, I finally noticed a change in my circadian rhythm, a week after Daylight Saving Time kicked in (have I told you I am ridiculously slow? My light bulb struggles and flickers a lot longer than regular light bulbs before it finally turns on).

I set my alarm at 7:45 am, hoping to join the group for the Saturday morning run. At 7:30, I awoke, turned the alarm off and promptly went back to sleep. I can't just blame the clock, though. I've started reading Run Faster from the 5K to the Marathon. And right from the get go, the author harps on how important it is to customize workouts and train responsively. He advocates Adaptive running, where "runners must train responsively, modifying their training based on how recent training has affected their bodies". Now, we all know this and have heard it a million times, but how often are we willing to forgo the 9 or 10 miles scheduled for that day, just because we feel our bodies need it? And if we do decide to skip the workout, can we do so, guiltlessly?

After a 5 mile run, spinning and swimming on Monday, core workout on Tuesday, 13 miles and more core work on Wednesday, spinning and 1 1/2 miles on Thursday, and 3 1/2 miles on Friday, I felt a strain in my left shin and foot (was I imagining it?). I iced it Friday night and wore a brace all night. I am not used to running more than 3 days in row, so every time I try to do it, my body protests.

So, on Saturday morning, I decided to be indulgent and postpone the run. When I finally woke up, it was past 10. DH and I enjoyed a lazy morning of cardamom tea, oatmeal and lots of TV.

We did want to take advantage of the pleasant weather, so after errands, we drove to Johnson Park in the evening. We parked at the zoo (it's really just a pond and a few cages with a coyote, ducks, geese, raccoons, a boa and an iguana). Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure. I was keen on finishing my run before it got dark, so the pics were taken in a hurry.

DH ran 2 1/2 miles along the towpath, while I ran the 7 miles that was supposed to get done in the morning. It was a smooth run; no pain or even stiffness, what a relief!

Here are the loose rocks, where I was forced to get down on all fours the first time!

The towpath continues on to Trenton...a total distance of about 34 miles. Here comes DH, ready to head back.

A few people and dogs were out, enjoying the weather.

I love dogs, but when you come face-to-face with two bear-like members of the species, straining at the leash, on a narrow path like the one in the above pics, you try to put as much distance between yourself and them as is humanly possible.

Today, after another super lazy morning, DH and "the band" are meeting and making noise at someone else's house. I interviewed Jennifer, who will be featured in the Sierra House newsletter. Jenn is an incredible woman, a mother of 3, committed to giving back to society and teaching her kids the importance of helping others even in tough times.

Hope a lovely weekend was had by all.

Stuffed peppers

It doesn't take much to make a runner happy. Do you agree? New running shoes, blister-proof socks, a perfect jogging stroller, finding a new issue of RunnersWorld in the mail, completing a long run. Yesterday, after a long day at work, I found 2 packages in the mail that made my day.

- Felice's book (now I have no excuse to remain the slowpoke that I am...will keep you all updated on my progress).

- The Long Branch Half marathon confirmation packet. Don't know why this made me so happy (What can I say? I lead a boring life!)...a run-of-the-mill packet is sent to every participant that registers, with a not-so-exciting half-sleeve T-shirt...I have 3 in the same color now. I can't wait to run the marathon instead and get a T-shirt in a different color!

So, in celebration, I went on a 13-mile long run this morning. It was pleasant, in the 50's, with slight rain. I kept the pace down, close to 9:50 per mile. Uneventful, except for pangs of hunger, which sort of disappeared after downing liberal quantities of gatorade and a banana.
Note to self: Eat something (anything) before heading out on a long run.

Here are before and after pics of last night's dinner, Stuffed peppers...before and after baking, that is. I used chicken instead of beef, for the stuffing.

They were juicy and delicious; the flavor of the peppers combined very well with the stuffing. This will probably become a regular item on our weekly menu.

I think I may have mentioned that DH has been diagnosed with elbow epicondylitis. He experiences severe pain in his right elbow when he extends his arm all the way. Otherwise, perfectly normal. Bizarre. Rest seems to be the only way to get rid of the pain and he has been warned that it could take 3-6 months. The only exercise he has been getting for the past month is a bit of stationary biking and walking to and from his car. Poor guy! He is bummed out that he cannot play his beloved drums, but manages to create a lot of noise with his left hand and feet.

Anyway, I have been trying to cancel his membership at the gym. Aware of horror stories of how LA Fitness makes it next to impossible to cancel gym memberships, I sent the cancellation 2 weeks in advance of the 'cut-off' date via certified mail with return receipt. Well, guess what? The post office lost it. It is nowhere to be found...and the tracking number has mysteriously disappeared from their system. The post office informed me nonchalantly that the only way I can ensure that my envelope reaches "safely" is through Express mail which will cost $17. Is it just me or do you find this ridiculous???

Paradise

On occasion, I indulge in books from the 'young adult' category. Not because I long to relive my childhood, but because some of these books are so darned good. How many of you have enjoyed reading Harry Potter? Or The Chronicles of Narnia?

Paradise by Joan Elizabeth Goodman is historical fiction, based on a true story. Powerful read, a story of passion and endurance. Good enough to keep me engrossed through midnight and miss my long run.
I had to postpone my run to the evening. And I could only manage 11 miles. A slow, but satisfying 11 miles. No tweaks or twinges of pain. I felt like I could easily run another mile and complete the 12-miler that was planned for today.

But I had to head back to attend a conference call on the Sierra House newsletter. It is finally under way; article assignments were made; duties and logistics were discussed. Sounds like a fun project and I am thrilled to be involved. More about it later.

On the food front, head over to Itzy's kitchen asap. Erica is giving away fragrant home-made cinnamon sweet bread to mark her 'blogiversary'! What better way to celebrate a whole year of blogging?

I Won a Book!!!

I never win lotteries, raffles, or anything that remotely involves luck of any sort. So, Felice's announcement on The Happy Runner knocked my socks off! Woo hoo...I win this cool book. Through a completely random selection too! (New Jersey lottery, here I come!) I am turning cartwheels (at least, attempting to) as I wait for the book. Thanks a ton, Felice.

Meanwhile, there's been a slight set-back in my running routine. At the gym, I did 3.5 miles on the treadmill on Monday. Hoping to make it to the BodyWorks class immediately after, I recklessly cranked up the speed and ran 9 minute-miles. I did make it to the class for an hour of solid core work and weights, but after the workout, the tendonitis in my left foot started acting up some. I am not in pain, but the area from shin to top of the foot feels sore. I gave it some RICE and TLC yesterday.

Today was my scheduled long run - 12 miles. Instead, I tried a slow 3-miler. No pain, but the soreness still bothers me. I usually don't chicken out on long runs...but knowing how the injury developed the last time, I feel I'd rather be extra cautious.

Tomorrow, 12 miles is on the cards...but only if my poor foot can handle it.

So, I'm back to being slow as molasses again! Run Faster from the 5K to the Marathon...I've never needed you more!!!

Davita's Harp

My latest read - Davita's Harp by Chaim Potok. The book was published in 1985; not a new book, and I hadn't read any reviews but was intrigued when I read the cover. The cover was well-written and the book was even better...it completely bowled me over.

I have a lot of admiration and respect for a man who successfully tells a story in a woman's voice. It takes talent, keen observation and sensitivity. And this book has tons of all that.

The story is narrated by a little girl, Ilana Davita, whose mother is Jewish and father Episcopalian, both of them not religious. She is raised by her parents to embrace idealism and pragmatism, but is intensely aware of the harsh realities of life through exposure to war and discrimination from an early age. She is drawn toward Judaism and through practising it, develops a sense of belonging; but she feels betrayed by the barriers that exist between men and women in the religion. Through her life experiences, Davita eventually goes beyond her pain into a faith that will sustain her through life.

On another note, I was hoping to run outside today. But the gym has softened me. And I convinced myself that at the gym, I could get an hour of spinning in, along with my run. So, that's what I did...cycling + 30 minutes on the treadmill (walking + 2 1/2 mile run) + core work. I hope all this cross training will pay off when I am ready to start training for a race!

We are expecting snow / sleet tonight and tomorrow morning. I'm beginning to get used to this weather...don't mind it anymore; but I am not enjoying walking about the house in my sweater. I really must do something about my drafty door and windows. I can't even grumble that it's a man's job, because I'm such a freakin' feminist!

Brrr! Winter's in my living room!

This too shall pass

I read Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth...and loved it. I may be the last person to read this book...everyone's been raving about it...but if I'm not, let me recommend it to whoever hasn't read it. I don't usually read spiritual books, but this one carries a message that is simple and practical.
I am now reading one of his other books, The Power Of Now. Powerful stuff ideed!

And now its time to put into action one of his profound messages...This too shall pass.

As you probably know through my constant ranting, I've been carrying this annoying tendonitis problem around for the past 2 months. It's not as serious as a stress fracture, so my foot is not in a cast. But I've also learned (the hard way) that it cannot be ignored. So, I've been struggling with the questions of when to run and how much to run. I started walking on the treadmill, then running. Last Monday was my first run since December...I started with 1 mile, then progressivly increased mileage through the week. Two days ago, I felt strong enough to hit 4 miles on the treadmill. After the run, I felt a slight stirring of tension in my foot. So, last night, it was back to a mile and a half, which I completed with no pain. After the run, where I hardly broke a sweat, I joined the Cycling class...at the end of the class, I was soaked in sweat for the first time in God-knows-when. It felt so good!

All pumped up after the great workout, I felt optimistic enough to look up a couple of races in early spring. I should be in ship-shape condition by then, I figured.

Little did I know! This morning, I woke up late for work and was hurriedly making my bed, when I banged my foot (real hard!) on the bed frame right on the injured spot. How do these things happen to me? (I know...I'm a klutz!) The pain's gotten worse through the day and now, I've got a little bump, to match my swollen tendon.

What can I say? It's back to swimming, weights and reminding myself that This too shall pass!

Small Wonder

I simply love this book...so please pardon me, I am about to wax euphoric.

Barbara Kingsolver is an amazing story teller. She has a way of making you forget the complexities and complications of life and concentrate on simply living. Reading one of her books is like breathing in a lungful of clean, fresh air. I have enjoyed all her works of fiction, but I didn't expect to be so enthralled by her non-fiction as well.

Small Wonder is about hope in the midst of hopelessness, about little things that can light up your world and make your life meaningful. Her stories speak to that little voice in us, that is often subdued, sometimes smothered, that cries out at injustice, longs for peace and hopes for goodness to prevail.

In the author's words, I create imagined lives. I write about the likes of liberty, equality & world peace, on an extremely domestic scale. She writes in a tone that has a tinge of despair but is also hopeful in a child-like way.

She quotes Barry Lopez: If we hope to succeed in the endeavor of protecting natures other than our own, it will require that we reimagine our lives....It will require of many of us a humanity we've not yet mastered, and a grace we were not aware we desired until we had tasted it.

Life without running

I didn't realize how structured my life was because of running. Until I stopped running.

For the past 3 days, while waiting for my tendon and thigh muscle to heal, I have been going to bed later because I don't have to wake up early for a run. I don't have to take a shower every morning, because I am not sweaty from a run. I have been working 13-14 hour days because I have no exercise / cross training schedule that forces me to tear myself away from the computer screen at 6 pm. When I run, I breakfast on a bowl of cereal and milk, OJ and a banana. Now, I have been skipping breakfast and eating all the junk I can lay my hands on.

When I woke up close to noon today, after finally drifting off to sleep at 3 am this morning, I realized that I badly need to start an exercise routine again...even if it is just walking, stretching, ab exercises, and maybe some time on the stationary bike. Or find a gym with a swimming pool. Starting tomorrow.

There was a sale at the library today and I bought 2 books I have enjoyed reading and would like to add to my collection.

I also bought 3 books from the Life World Library series...Australia & New Zealand, Israel and China.

Books books and more books

I got greedy at the library this week and grabbed as many books as I could carry. I suspect I will take ages to finish reading them, but I like being surrounded by so many books.

Now that I am officially off running for a few ummm...days (please let it not be weeks!) at least, I can read more...

...and cook more. I need these low-fat recipes now if I am to stay in any sort of shape during the holiday season.

Chinese food and the tradition and rigor of Chinese cooking has fascinated me ever since I read The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones. There is an allure in the flavors and scents of haute Chinese cuisine. This book explores the lore and the lure of wok cooking.

2 of the latest non-fiction books by my favorite fiction author, Barbara Kingsolver. She is so refreshingly authentic.

Malgudi Days, which became a popular TV show during my childhood is a very popular story by a popular Indian author. I just never got around to reading it.

And finally, Steve Jobs...for some variety.

This bookworm is all set.

Have a great day, folks!

50 Marathons 50 Days 50 states

Dean Karnazes is touted as the 'Quintessential Ultramarathoner', is ranked by a TIME magazine poll as one of the 'Top 100 most influential people in the world', and is the man who Men's Fitness says, 'might be just the fittest man on earth'.

I am reading about the North Face Endurance 50 (50/50- Secrets I learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days - and how you too can achieve Super Endurance), his journey across the country, running 50 marathons in 50 different states on 50 consecutive days. If the running alone were not enough to kill or maim you, the travel, interviews, publicity, dealing with the media and supporters and responding to hundreds of fan email on a daily basis is bound to destroy you! But 'Karno' just sailed through it all, inspiring countless people along the way, incurring no serious damage to his body or psyche. Talk about freaks of nature!

Karno belives that people's obsession about running marathons is 'a largely unconscious backlash against comfort culture and the easy life'. While running can never be descibed as 'fun', it gives you such a feeling of well-being, that you are willing to put your body through it inspite of the pain.

I don't know that I have gained the secrets of super endurance from Karno's book (and if I have, I will never put them to the test!); but I am sure many others will attempt to repeat or better his feat.

The Wilderness Family

I am a slow reader and read 1, maybe 2 books at a time, though I greedily pick out several books simultaneously. Lately, I have been fortunate to read a number of fabulous books, one after the other.

Kobie Kruger's The Wilderness Family: At Home with Africa's Wildlife is another one of these. If you have an ounce of adventure in you or if you have ever been stirred by nature in it's unadulterated form, this book will definitely bring on the goosebumps.

Kobie Kruger, the wife of a game warden, narrates her family's thrilling, oftentimes harrowing experiences as they spend 17 years at South Africa's Kruger National Park. Kobie, her husband Kobus, and their 3 children are so overwhelmed by the beauty of Mahlangeni ranger station and the beasts and birds that occupy it, that they take danger and hardship in stride.

The author states very simply: If your vehicle broke down en route (the remote private road linking the nearest town to the Mahlengeni ranger station), you had 2 choices: fix it yourself or walk the rest of the way. Makes me squirm to think of how much we take for granted. When my car stalls on the highway, I usually feel acutely bored, and growl impatiently at the tardiness of AAA, all this in the warm comfort of my car.

I enjoyed the story of Buksie, the affectionate honey badger cub the family fosters; who refuses to go to sleep unless he has a human finger to suck on (how adorable is that?) The family also fosters a lion cub, Leo, a banded mongoose, Mufi, 2 black piglets, Fritzie and Fiela (that were intended for dinner, but the family adopted them instead!), apart from the dogs, horses, bantams and occasional Egyptian geese that live in their garden.

What touched me most is her portrayal of 'Children of the wild', the delightful, sunny-natured young ones who grow up with a deep love of the wilderness and of all it's creatures. It is enlightening to learn that these children do not consider close encounters with wild animals as frightening experiences. Animals have no malice, they attack only in self-defense, they hunt only when they must eat. It is man, the most successful predator on earth, who is the most dangerous of all creatures.

Swimming to Antarctica

I picked up this book on the recommendation of a fellow blogger with the intention of skimming through it to absorb the gist. 3 days later, I am still engrossed in its contents and cannot put it down. Narrated by the prodigious and incredible long-distance swimmer Lynne Cox, this book is a compelling account of her life and extraordinary swimming feats.

Her accomplishments include:

- Swimming the 26 miles from Catalina Island to California mainland at age 14

- Breaking the men's and women's world records for swimming the 33-mile English Channel twice, at the ages of 15 and 16

- Swimming the 20-mile Cook Strait between the north and south islands of New Zealand at the age of 18

- First to swim the Strait of Magellan, 3 trecherous miles of sea.

- First to swim the Bering Strait, between US and Russia, opening the US-Soviet border during the Cold War

- First to swim the Cape of Good Hope

In simple, but gripping language, she takes us through each of these swims and her life surrounding her all-consuming passion for swimming, as she puts her body through the ultimate tests of strength and endurance. Her narration is concise and direct, with very little fanfare. Despite performing feats no human has ever done before, her tone throughout the book is modest, admiring of the beauty of nature and respectful of its harshness.

What I talk about when I talk about running

Haruki Murakami's latest book, at first glance, appears to be a run-of-the-mill running journal, but it's one of those books you cannot read in a hurry. It has the profound effect of making you pause, reflect and take notice. The author has been a runner for more than 2 decades of his life. The only person I know in real life with a track record like that is my dad. My dad is by nature, one of the most disciplined people I know. Since the age of 31, he has been running, most of the time, the same distance and on the same running track, except on the rare occasion injury intervenes. But, even for less willed mortals like me, I have to think a long-time habit automatically builds into your system, a sort of mental and physical discipline. Especially a habit like running that forces you to constantly compete against yourself.

I am a creature of mood; boredom always lurks in the background. I cannot imagine waking a certain time every morning to run the same distance every day. That's why I vary the time I run, the distance, even the course. I have to write about running, read about it and compete in races to keep my interest from waning. But, as I grow older, I am beginning to channel my energy and time into a few select areas of my life, running being one of them...and the need to excel does not seem as important as the desire to savor the experience.

"Perhaps I am too painstaking a type of person, but I can't grasp much of anything without putting down my thoughts in writing, so I had to actually get my hands working to write these words. Otherwise, I'd never know what running means to me". That's me - painstaking. If you asked me what I was thinking a second ago, I couldn't tell you. But I could easily capture a moment or an emotion in writing.

The author talks of what he thinks when he runs. Though varied thoughts cross the mind when you run, it is essentially a sort of meditation. "No matter how mundane some action might appear, keep at it long enough and it becomes a contemplative, even meditative act". A marathoner once told me she always returned from her runs with a solution to whatever problem she set out with. I wish I could say running solved my problems. For me, running has become almost a religion - it has given me strength to deal with problems, a balance in life and the ability to put things in perspective.

The Prophet of Zongo Street

I just finished reading The Prophet of Zongo Street by Mohammed Naseehu Ali, writer and musician. It is a compilation of short stories by an African writer, from Ghana. The fresh innocence of native African folklore, peppered with the art and culture of young, educated Africans in the US. I enjoyed the book, especially stories centered around quirky characters living in the fictitious Zongo Street in the city of Kumasi. The unhurried, ambitionless, religion-steeped, rumor-filled existence of a small town. The culture of story-telling around a charcoal fire, while munching roasted peanuts.

My favorite stories are Mallam Sile, The Story of Day and Night, Live-In and Rachmaninov.

On the lines of, and almost as charming as one of my all-time favorites: the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Zimbabwean author, Alexander McCall Smith.