Half 🗞️ Slow News Day #37

Hey,

Reading Half Marathon 2015: I (painfully and staggeringly) sprinted over the finish line, as it ticked over to 02:01:01.

That number gnaws at me.

It’s just so, so close. One minute and one second. If I ran each mile just 4.8 seconds faster, I would have a sub-two hour half marathon.

I ran Reading Half again in 2017, but only managed 02:08:??. (Can’t remember exactly, I just know it was slower.)

For years, I’ve had little bursts of getting back into running. I’ve not stuck with it yet, but I think it’s coming back round again.

Any Distance shared a cool profile at the end of last year, of a guy named Justin Ehrecke who has (since the article was published) run for over 1,000 days in a row. The highlight, for me, was this quote he shared about his childhood participation in sports.

Our coaches would punish us by making us run. I never really considered myself a runner, honestly, because I always thought it was punishment. But now, I actually enjoy and look forward to running, but I had to figure out what that meant for me.

Isn’t that so good? Dismantling the old assumptions that have been built in and cast upon us to create a new relationship.

When running is at its best, when I’m really in my flow, it’s meditation. The regular plod of my feet, the rhythm, the breathing, the air on my skin, the steadiness. Right now, when I run, I’m way up in my head. I’m thinking about each step, about how far I’ve gone, and about how much I’ve got left in the tank.

Yesterday, as I ran around Swanpool Lake, I had a moment of that longed-for clarity. My chest wasn’t ragged, my legs felt strong, and I took each step in my body instead of my head.

Maybe it’s time to tackle that 02:01:01 again.

I remember how amazing it felt to cross the line that first time. I daren’t think how good it might feel if I see a one instead of a two as I plant that final footstep.

Slow down guide

Need a little help moving slower?

Ease your way out of Friday afternoon with this newsletter, a nice cup of something, and a little background music. Steal my setup if you aren't sure where to start.

After I press send, I’m going to feel spoilt for choice. Falmouth is coffee shop city. It’d be silly not to get out there and sample some more. I’ve got my eye on Dark Pony, but it’s one of about a dozen I could choose. If they’ve got filter coffee, I’m happy.

Home by Georgia Harmer is the musical manifestation of tendrils of steam from a bright coffee on a cold day. Gentle vocals (that chorus could melt an iceberg), tight drums, and a tentative foray into slide guitar to bring some country to an otherwise jazzy record. A little rest on the sofa is as good as a half marathon, in my eyes. Just make sure you savour it, whatever you choose.

Take it easy,