Running in summertime... always a challenge. On the bright side, literally, the sun is up and at 'em at 5am here. Seriously, it's so bright it's unreal. It also stays light until 9pm.
It's a surreal thing. But on the bright side, it makes for some super productive days. I can start reading at 6am and my 3pm lull can be shoved aside by a quick walk outside. Of course, that walk might be a 80 degree walk which I certainly don't do well with, but that's alright. Don't think I don't hear you Marylanders saying, well here it would be a 90 degree or higher walk with 90% humidity! Yes, yes, I remember. And I don't miss it one bit. And unfortunately, it's been more like 90 degree walks here lately... what is that about?
I stumbled upon a blog that poked fun at women who wear workout capris even in the hottest weather. I certainly fall in that category - note my extra sexy capri leg tan line. To them I say, you must not know the pain of chafing. But, in light of their argument that it must make you unbearably hot, I have started looking for some shorts. Like these Lucy Endurance Long Run Shorts - but they seem to be out of stock, or only stocked in x-small. Curses! I'm waiting on a pair of Under Armour long shorts, but their definition of long is 7 inches so... we'll see. Anyone have any recommendations for long-ish fitted running shorts?
Running otherwise is in a bit of a lull. I seem to have hit a plateau in my motivation. I have enough to continue running, but not enough to push through to improve my runs. It'll come around, I know, but for now it's a bit of a battle to get a simple 2 to 3 miles every other day. Despite the lack of motivation to push through my runs, I'm still doing other exercises so, there's that. According to RunKeeper, I'm at the very start of my training for the next half marathon so, I'm not too worried.
Now, as for reading in the summertime, that is no challenge at all! I've got a couple recommendations up my sleeve actually.
First, Jagannath.
This collection of short stories from Swedish writer Karin Tidbeck is just magical. It's no secret I've a great affinity for all things Scandinavian, so I was easily pulled in, but for those of you that never got down with the land of lingonberries and IKEA, think of this collection like a modern day Grimm's tales. I can't assure you that all the stories are set in 'modern' time because some of the stories lack time, sometimes figuratively and sometimes literally. They are encapsulated in their own little universe. Each story is so peculiar, you find yourself transported and in some cases mystified. Not everything wraps up neatly, nor is anything really pleasant, but it is so refreshing to dive in here and take a break from every expectation you have of the world. I would describe or explain more but honestly, there just aren't words for her creativity.
Second, The Dude and the Zen Master by Jeff Bridges and Bernie Glassman.
I struggle with Zen thought. I don't understand philosophy. It gives me a massive headache. I can appreciate it, and I admire those who can wrap their head around thought experiments, but I have never felt as dumb as I did in my Intro to Philosophy class at UMD. But - I badly wish I did understand. And so, here I am with this book. I've never seen The Big Lebowski so take heart that it's not vital you've seen the movie to glean something from this work. As one (negative) reviewer on GoodReads put it, 'it's basically two guys sitting around bullshitting.' I would amend that to say it's two very intelligent, thoughtful, experienced guys sitting around bullshitting. Bridges cites personal experience and films he's worked on, while Glassman often brings in the deeper zen meaning.For me, comparing zen thought to casual experience and to movies makes it blessedly accessible. This may not be the path to enlightenment for everyone, but if you're like me and struggle with bending your mind around 'abiding no where is abiding everywhere,' this may be the book for you. Hell, they have a couple pages devoted to the zen in 'Row Row Row Your Boat.' Now that's on my level.
Third, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.
This book was an easy, pleasant read. It's long, the hardcover being 369 pages, but I finished it in a day. This book is for those romantics who enjoy the whole Pride & Prejudice/Pygmalion dynamic. As I read it I kept thinking - I wonder if at any point she stopped to worry that she was writing the same story line that has been written a million times before? (A thought that plagues my writing daily) But despite that, this book has wonderful characters and the family dynamics will be painfully familiar to many. The ending certainly doesn't drag on, with the meat of the book lasting about 350 pages, devoting very little time to wrapping it up. All that being said, I crushed this book in a day because I sincerely didn't want to put it down. It had been on my to-read list for ages, and now that I've finally consumed it, I encourage you to take it on vacation with you. Great summer material.
I'm reading a two other books currently that I'm really enjoying but those will have to wait for next week!
It's a surreal thing. But on the bright side, it makes for some super productive days. I can start reading at 6am and my 3pm lull can be shoved aside by a quick walk outside. Of course, that walk might be a 80 degree walk which I certainly don't do well with, but that's alright. Don't think I don't hear you Marylanders saying, well here it would be a 90 degree or higher walk with 90% humidity! Yes, yes, I remember. And I don't miss it one bit. And unfortunately, it's been more like 90 degree walks here lately... what is that about?
I stumbled upon a blog that poked fun at women who wear workout capris even in the hottest weather. I certainly fall in that category - note my extra sexy capri leg tan line. To them I say, you must not know the pain of chafing. But, in light of their argument that it must make you unbearably hot, I have started looking for some shorts. Like these Lucy Endurance Long Run Shorts - but they seem to be out of stock, or only stocked in x-small. Curses! I'm waiting on a pair of Under Armour long shorts, but their definition of long is 7 inches so... we'll see. Anyone have any recommendations for long-ish fitted running shorts?
Running otherwise is in a bit of a lull. I seem to have hit a plateau in my motivation. I have enough to continue running, but not enough to push through to improve my runs. It'll come around, I know, but for now it's a bit of a battle to get a simple 2 to 3 miles every other day. Despite the lack of motivation to push through my runs, I'm still doing other exercises so, there's that. According to RunKeeper, I'm at the very start of my training for the next half marathon so, I'm not too worried.
Now, as for reading in the summertime, that is no challenge at all! I've got a couple recommendations up my sleeve actually.
First, Jagannath.
This collection of short stories from Swedish writer Karin Tidbeck is just magical. It's no secret I've a great affinity for all things Scandinavian, so I was easily pulled in, but for those of you that never got down with the land of lingonberries and IKEA, think of this collection like a modern day Grimm's tales. I can't assure you that all the stories are set in 'modern' time because some of the stories lack time, sometimes figuratively and sometimes literally. They are encapsulated in their own little universe. Each story is so peculiar, you find yourself transported and in some cases mystified. Not everything wraps up neatly, nor is anything really pleasant, but it is so refreshing to dive in here and take a break from every expectation you have of the world. I would describe or explain more but honestly, there just aren't words for her creativity.
Second, The Dude and the Zen Master by Jeff Bridges and Bernie Glassman.
Third, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.
This book was an easy, pleasant read. It's long, the hardcover being 369 pages, but I finished it in a day. This book is for those romantics who enjoy the whole Pride & Prejudice/Pygmalion dynamic. As I read it I kept thinking - I wonder if at any point she stopped to worry that she was writing the same story line that has been written a million times before? (A thought that plagues my writing daily) But despite that, this book has wonderful characters and the family dynamics will be painfully familiar to many. The ending certainly doesn't drag on, with the meat of the book lasting about 350 pages, devoting very little time to wrapping it up. All that being said, I crushed this book in a day because I sincerely didn't want to put it down. It had been on my to-read list for ages, and now that I've finally consumed it, I encourage you to take it on vacation with you. Great summer material.
I'm reading a two other books currently that I'm really enjoying but those will have to wait for next week!
