Category Archives: 13.1

We’re all on a lifelong mission of self-recovery

Posted on June 15, 2020 by

At one point during my early 20s, I worked part-time jobs while training nearly full-time as a distance runner. Though I knew I wasn’t world class by any means, the mood among serious runners in the early 80s was one … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, 5K, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, anxiety, cycling, healthy aging, IRONMAN, marathon, racing peak, swimming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Running recollections of a skinny young dad

Posted on March 31, 2020 by

My competitive career as a runner was coming to a close the time by the time I got married at the age of twenty-seven. We conceived our first child in December after a June wedding that year. By then, I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, anxiety, Christopher Cudworth, competition, healthy aging, healthy senior, marathon, marathon training, running | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What kind of engine do you have?

Posted on January 17, 2020 by

My wife’s coach recently made her chuckle while discussing her training. “You’ve got a diesel engine,” he told her. “We want to spread your speed and energy out over the whole race.” That got me thinking about what kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, 400 meter intervals, 400 workouts, 5K, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, marathon, marathon training, running | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good energy all around

Posted on December 8, 2019 by

The term “good energy” has been recruited to serve a number of purposes and connotations in this world. It substitutes for “clean energy” in the growing field of alternative fuels, and “good energy” means moral power in the realm of … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, anxiety, Christopher Cudworth, competition, Depression, running, same sex adults, sex, Tarsnakes, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The trials and tribulations of a right hand man

Posted on June 10, 2019 by

This weekend my wife completed the Half Ironman in Madison, Wisconsin. That’s no mean feat given a course that is hilly beyond belief. At several points the grade reaches 10% and a long steep stretch up a country road called … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, aging is not for the weak of heart, bike accidents, bike crash, blood on the highway, Christopher Cudworth, competition, cycling, cycling the midwest, cycling threats, death, I hate cyclists, race pace, trail running, training, tri-bikes, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Leave a comment

How adept are you at confronting your fears?

Posted on May 3, 2019 by

Fear is a real killer. It is a killer of confidence. A killer of trust. A killer of motivation. A killer of good judgment and a killer of performance. Yet fear is not the real enemy. It is only the … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, Christopher Cudworth, competition, running | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Races that stand out in your mind

Posted on May 2, 2019 by

I suppose it would be possible to go back and count all the races. All those times toeing the starting line. Looking around at your competitors. Wondering how the body and mind will respond on that day. In that moment. … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, half marathon, running | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A few words of praise for my triathlete wife

Posted on April 29, 2019 by

Yesterday I played Sherpa for my wife during the Naperville Women’s Half Marathon. It was chilly (30 degrees) and snowy (but the streets were clear) and she ran really steady and strong. She’s now run a series of three or … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, running, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mike Behr lighting it up in multiple sports

Posted on March 12, 2019 by

On a cold and snowy February morning, a tall, lean distance runner named Mike Behr is running back and forth between a lead pack of runners and a much slower group bringing up the rear. The occasion is a Sunday … Continue reading →

Posted in 13.1, aging, competition, cycling, healthy aging, running, track and field, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Athlete’s Lament

Posted on January 22, 2019 by

I didn’t get up and work out at the crack of dawn this morning. In fact, I didn’t get up at all until about 6:24 a.m. That’s late for me. More typically I’m either out the door running, dipped into … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, 5K, aging, competition, mental health, race pace | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments