Monthly Archives: December 2016

The profits of a good gym

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

In my mid-20s I had the opportunity to manage a gym called the Norris Sports Complex. It was a publicly-owned and managed facility attached to a high school in St. Charles, Illinois. As such, it was open for evening hours … Continue reading →

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What Carrie Fisher taught us about choking the beast of depression, anxiety and dread

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

When the Star Wars character of Princess Leia Organa played by Carrie Fisher took hold of the chain that bound her and used it to choke the dickens out of her captor, Jabba the Hut, fans cheered at the triumph … Continue reading →

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Locker room talk

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

Even on race days, it’s not that easy to get up at 4:30 a.m. No matter how enthusiastic you might feel the night before, getting out of a snug bed is difficult. Then to consider the cold drive from home … Continue reading →

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Long shadows and snow fences

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

This morning’s run finally felt better. The cold virus that has vexed my body for two weeks has relented a bit. That’s how it is with certain colds. They linger and force you to flirt with disaster if you miss … Continue reading →

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Do you believe in bridges?

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

  Last night following a busy Christmas Day in which we celebrated at three different homes, my mind went to work when the head hit the pillow.   The dreams that came about were all about what it means to have … Continue reading →

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Wrapping with the worst of them

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

The class they never taught in Home Economics class. Gift wrapping. One of the most useful skills in all human activity. Completely ignored. I learned how to make omelets in Home Economics. Even a Baked Alaska. But they never brought up … Continue reading →

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Breaking with Christmas tradition

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

For the last thirty years on Christmas morning I’ve gone for a run on a golf course north of my in-laws’ house in Addison, Illinois. But with family dynamics shifting around for our clan, we’ll be out in the Fox … Continue reading →

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Greetings from Bedford Falls. Or is this Pottersville?

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

The coffee shop named Graham’s 318 is where I often sit to write this blog. It is situated in a pretty section of Geneva, Illinois collectively known as Third Street. Like many shops up and down Third Street, Graham’s is … Continue reading →

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Clear Goggles and Glad Tidings

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

A couple weeks back I went to Dick’s Sporting Goods and purchased a set of clear goggles for swimming. All this fall I’d been swimming in the dark tinted lenses that had been so great for outdoor swimming where the … Continue reading →

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Tethered to a goal

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Christopher Cudworth

When one thinks about setting and achieving goals, there are a ton of life experiences that feed into that process. At some age in our athletic careers, the transition from raw competitive instincts to setting goals has to be channeled. … Continue reading →

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