Tag Archives: runner

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 →

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Jim Nielsen’s life journey a long run to China and back

Posted on March 11, 2020 by

Recently I received an email form a former Luther College teammate that lives in China. Jim Nielsen and I were cross country runners beginning our freshman year. But we also shared a love of table tennis and despite having tired … Continue reading →

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There is still some Wonder Left

Posted on March 3, 2020 by

One of the most difficult tasks in life is sustaining a sense of wonder about the world and daily experiences. So much of our existence is taken up by routine and obligations that finding a thrill can be tough as … Continue reading →

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Leaving tracks

Posted on February 7, 2020 by

Walking our dog in the morning is like being back in field biology class looking for signs of wildlife everywhere. On a typical morning we’ll cross the tracks of numerous animals left in the snow. There are coyote and fox … Continue reading →

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Dealing with the pressures of the crowd

Posted on February 4, 2020 by

In the middle of the night I woke up from a dream in which I found myself in charge of a large crowd of people trying to check out of a grocery store. The lines stretched back and doubled and … Continue reading →

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The sensation of running

Posted on January 22, 2020 by

I’ve written previously about a 1973 newspaper article in which a local sports journalist branded me a “junior sensation” for leading our high school cross country team to a few early-season victories. That pulp fiction title cost me dearly the … Continue reading →

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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

Catch you on the rebound

Posted on December 27, 2019 by

It’s funny what one decent speed workout can do to help you rebound from the malaise of low training or injury. It’s not all that fun to hit the track without much fitness in the tank, and it hurts like … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 400 meter intervals, 400 workouts, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, Christopher Cudworth, competition, running | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Self portrait of a determined young man

Posted on November 15, 2019 by

In November 1978 I was a senior at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Our team had just placed second in the NCAA National Cross Country Championships in Rock Island, Illinois. I was fifth man for the team that day after … Continue reading →

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

The thighs don’t have it easy these days

Posted on September 6, 2019 by

Walking through our local Dick’s Sporting Goods store, I noticed a display for running gear featuring shorts with three different inseam lengths: 5″, 7″ and 9″. That might not mean much to most runners. But having emerged from the era … Continue reading →

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