Category Archives: cross country

Summer’s almost over. Do you love autumn?

Posted on September 9, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

The cool rains driven by early September storms have come to the Midwest. The dry grasses of August don’t know what to do with all this sudden moisture. Our drought is perhaps broken, but the browns will perhaps persist all … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, anxiety, competition, cross country, cycling the midwest, riding, running, swimming, trail running, training, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons, we run and ride | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

In honor of Keith Ellingson, one of the greatest runners and best guys I know in this world

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Converging lives My freshman year at Luther College was some years ago. I entered college as a marginal student in high school with a high C average thanks to laziness in subjects that I disdained. But Luther saw potential in … Continue reading →

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Moving on down the dusty trail

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

The Great Western Trail is a former railroad bed running from St. Charles, Illinois out to the town of Sycamore, seventeen miles away. For much of the trail from St. Charles to Lily Lake, there is ample shade at all … Continue reading →

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Had Covid-19 hit in 1978, I don’t know what I’d have done

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

In August of 1978, I was returning as a senior to Luther College as both a Resident Assistant and Captain of the cross country team. That meant the latter part of August was largely spoken for as my schedule called … Continue reading →

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Seeing a young man off to college

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

With social occasions delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was difficult for graduating high school seniors to find the right time to transition toward college or other plans beyond. As a result, the graduation party for a young man … Continue reading →

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An August afternoon with bikinis, sunshine and running

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

During the summer of 1974, anticipation for the fall cross country season was high. We’d done well the previous year in both the conference and district meet, and a core of seniors was returning to make it a fun and … Continue reading →

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Summer running, or not

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

After freshman year in high school cross country, I was set to begin training the summer before sophomore year when a big fat catcher from another baseball team dove on top of me when the third base coach sent me … Continue reading →

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Have you ever been underestimated?

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

When my son Evan was perhaps ten years old, he turned to me and said, “Dad, have you ever noticed that when people say “Good for you” they are often being condescending?” Yes, my son understood the meaning of condescension … Continue reading →

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A minute can last a lifetime

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

I had a nice conversation yesterday with Craig Virgin, one of America’s greatest distance runners whose 27:29 10K still ranks in the top ten all-time. He was also a three-time Olympian We talked about his book Virgin Territory, which I … Continue reading →

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In memory of Dave Bashaw, a sweet and talented guy

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

A friend of mine from long ago (and still today) sent me the obituary of a fellow runner from a nearby town. His name was Dave Bashaw. Dave was a talented and determined runner from Geneva High School. I competed … Continue reading →

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