Skipped the turkey trot

Thurs, 11/28/24-.Turkey Day. Skipped the turkey trot. Jogged 55M (4:40) to the fitness center. Stretched, did a few drills, and lifted. Ran .55M (4:20) back home. 

just yet

Wed, 11/27/24-At 11:30am, I tried my luck at 6x200 with a 2:00 rest between efforts. Although my knee, the back of my knee, and my left hamstring were tender, I did okay. I posted 34-low, 34-low, 34-low in flats. Put on some spikes. I then hit 33-high, 32-high, and 33-low. No speed in these legs just yet.

30th

Tues, 11/26/24-30th Wedding Anniversary!

I ran 2.52 miles (21:00) to the fitness center, stretched and lifted some weights, and then ran another 1.00 miles (7:55) home.

Mon, 11/25/24-4.5M (35:25)

sleeting a bit.

Sat, November 23, 2024-took off

Fri, November 22, 2024-With it sleeting a bit, I sluggishly ran 6.1M in 48:20. 

Simply 4

Thurs, 11/21/24-Simply 4M

3.48M (27:35), lifted, .52M route (4:10) back home. 

Overcoming the Wall: Lessons from After the Fall for Runners

Wed, 11/20/24-7M (55:00). 

I walked into a pre-kindergarten classroom the other day, and the teacher gave an endorsement of a book she had just read to the children. She handed it to me and said I should buy it. I read it on the spot and then went home and did just that—I bought it. 

Remember Humpty Dumpty? What happens to him after his infamous fall? Dan Santat’s After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again offers a poignant and inspiring answer. This beautifully illustrated picture book reimagines the classic nursery rhyme as a story of resilience, courage, and transformation.

As runners, we all hit the proverbial wall—whether struggling through the last 100 meters of a 400-meter dash or bouncing back from an injury. Dan Santat’s After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again offers a fresh perspective on approaching these challenges with resilience and courage.

In the story, Humpty Dumpty’s fall isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of his journey to rebuild. Fear holds him back, but he confronts his struggles step by step. For runners, this mirrors the journey of pushing through setbacks, whether it’s the fear of re-injury, the frustration of lost fitness, or the daunting task of tackling new goals.

The key takeaway? Recovery and growth aren’t about returning to who we were before the fall—they’re about transforming into something stronger. Like Humpty, we grow with each small victory, whether it’s lacing up after a tough race, embracing cross-training, or running that first pain-free mile.

The story’s ultimate twist—Humpty’s transformation into a bird—is a powerful metaphor for runners. The challenges we face and the fears we conquer often unlock something unexpected: freedom, strength, and a new perspective on what we can achieve.

Santat’s heartfelt narrative and stunning illustrations make After the Fall more than just a children’s book—it’s a universal tale about overcoming life’s challenges and discovering unexpected strength. It’s a perfect read for anyone—child or adult—navigating their own journey of recovery and resilience.

This inspiring story reminds us all: sometimes, the hardest climbs lead to the greatest transformations. So, next time you feel like you’ve hit a wall, remember: every climb, every step forward, brings you closer to soaring.

Santat, Dan. After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again. Roaring Brook Press, 2017.
Adapted into "Overcoming the Wall: Lessons from After the Fall for Runners" with assistance from OpenAI’s ChatGPT, November 20, 2024.

a work assignment!

Tues, 11/19/24-Had to take off the morning in order to complete a work assignment!