Category Archives: track and field

Fireworks on our minds

Posted on July 6, 2021 by Christopher Cudworth

Our family once had a blast setting off fireworks on the 4th of July. For the most part, they were the legal kind easily available here in Illinois. On several occasions, we also brought home louder, more dangerous fireworks from … Continue reading →

Posted in Christopher Cudworth, competition, cycling, cycling the midwest, healthy aging, running, track and field | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cornfield winds and cinnamon buns

Posted on April 27, 2021 by Christopher Cudworth

I returned to Kaneland High School as a substitute teacher yesterday. I attended that school from 8th grade through sophomore year. Nothing makes you review your life’s decisions like walking the halls of a high school you attended decades before. … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, anxiety, Christopher Cudworth, running, track and field | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Life is one big classroom

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Christopher Cudworth

Many of us recall moments like that in which teachers helped us break through insecurities, fears, and misgivings. Some were tough influences when we needed a kick in the butt. Others were gentle guides when we needed encouragement. It takes a village. Continue reading →

Posted in Christopher Cudworth, running, track and field, training, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The mixture of joy and relief after a hard race

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Christopher Cudworth

The desire to compete in races comes from many different places within us. For some, it is a test of resolve. For others, a raw test of fitness. But it’s always about proving oneself in the face of difficulty. You’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Christopher Cudworth, competition, cross country, cycling, PEAK EXPERIENCES, race pace, racing peak, riding, running, track and field, training, TRAINING PEAKS, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons, we run and ride | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

There’s a right way to go bananas in endurance sports

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Given the fact that the “fruit” we call bananas is so common and inexpensive to buy, it is easy to take for granted that the Cavendish bananas commercially available in stores are a production miracle brought to the United States … Continue reading →

Posted in 400 meter intervals, 400 workouts, competition, injury, marathon, marathon training, mental health, PEAK EXPERIENCES, race pace, racing peak, running, swimming, track and field, tri-bikes, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A long line of strong women

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Heading into last weekend I read that a distance runner named Letensenbet Gidey had run a world record 5000M time of 14:06 in a track meet in Valencia, Spain. I sat there for a moment and thought, “14:06. That means … Continue reading →

Posted in running, swimming, track and field, training, training for a marathon, triathlete, triathlon, triathlons | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

You never know what a little cheerleading can do

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

A cross country meet is not the place where one normally expects to see cheerleaders. That tradition is more closely associated with football and basketball games where crowds fill the bleachers. Yet there were cheerleaders assigned to our cross country … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, anxiety, Christopher Cudworth, competition, cross country, running, track and field | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On April and track and field

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Ever since 1970, when I was an immensely skinny 8th-grader competing in track and field for the first time, April has been a vexation on my body and my soul. I too-well recall stripping off sweatpants to stand shivering in … Continue reading →

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A Burning Man of a different kind

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

My son Evan Cudworth was planning on attending The Burning Man event in August again this year. But it likely won’t happen. Even that brand of social distancing––rocking out in the Black Rock Desert–– is not enough social distance to … Continue reading →

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It's a bad time to be a nail-biter, but welcome to the club

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

I’m not proud of the fact that I’ve been biting my nails since I was a little kid. Even as an adult my fingernails are sometimes a ragged mess if I collapse into the nervous habit of chewing on them. … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, anxiety, cycling, running, swimming, Tarsnakes, track and field | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment