Tag Archives: runner

Dealing with the pressures of the crowd

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

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 Christopher Cudworth

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 Christopher Cudworth

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 Christopher Cudworth

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 →

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Self portrait of a determined young man

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Christopher Cudworth

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 →

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The thighs don’t have it easy these days

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Christopher Cudworth

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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August and cross country

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Christopher Cudworth

From the moment I first walked in the door of a cross country locker room and joined the company of largely skinny misfits that would become my teammates, I was hooked. My coach that first year was an organized fellow … Continue reading →

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This journey with God

Posted on June 5, 2019 by Christopher Cudworth

As a callow eighth grader in small-town Illinois, I joined other classmates at a congregation in Elburn, Illinois to be confirmed as a member of a Christian church. Up to that point in life all my decisions about faith and … Continue reading →

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Overcoming a dialup brain in a wi-fi world

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Christopher Cudworth

We traveled to Madison, Wisconsin this weekend for a training trip, joining the crew from Madison Multisport and its coaches Steve Brandes and Cindy Bannink. The purpose was to ride the Madison Half-Ironman course, which loops south of the city … Continue reading →

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Mortal soles

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Christopher Cudworth

Last evening we made the decision to allow our cat Wanda go to a peaceful end. At fourteen years old, some of her vital systems were failing. It would not do to see her suffer through weeks of difficulty. Our … Continue reading →

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