Trail Running

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LOVED the trail run. Am now all about the trail run. Ran 5.8 miles yesterday and Kay and I were a perfect pace match. We're meeting tomorrow morning to go running again--even in lieu of the sub-freezing temperatures ready to set in.

Almost hit the earth several times, tripping over tree roots. I'm sure my first face forward can''t be far behind.  Hills weren't too terrible, although I doubt I would have done so well without a running partner. The scenery was what was inspiring. Lake Brandt came in and out of view as we ran through tall trees with dappled patches of sunlight hitting the earth. Branches creaked overhead as a gentle wind blew and small animals scurried in the bushes beside us as we pounded past their hiding places. I was so busy watching my footing I barely noticed the miles passing.

I think a combination of trail and pavement running will suit me well--mix it up so I don't grow bored.

I bought myself a new pair of running shoes yesterday and a matching short/t-shirt outfit. As I explained to Blair, I run better when I'm cute...  =)

Nervous About New Run

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The gentleman I met at Saturday's dinner gave me the name and number of a female runner in the area who's looking for a running partner on Wednesday nights. We spoke last night and are meeting tonight for a trail run. I'm a little nervous.  I don't want to be too slow for her, plus I'm not used to running trails and don't know how that might affect my run. Although actually, I'm looking forward to that aspect of it--something different sounds fun.

She game me the option of running a 5.8 mile trail with "a lot of ups and downs" or a similar trail that's a lot flatter, but has more roots and things to watch out for. It's a question for me of how "up" the ups are. "Hills build character" is my neighbor's mantra, but we both tend to avoid them.

I hope we're a match. I'm in Greensboro every Wednesday and it'd be nice to find a regular running partner.

Improving On The Writing Process

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I've been using a new system for the past month in terms of due dates for writing that ,so far, is working out quite well.

Typically what happens is that I have an assignment with a due date. I might ponder the general bent I plan on taking with the article, but I wouldn't start writing the article until the week before it was due.  This leaves just enough time to write the piece, but no time to let it sit and digest so I can return to it later with fresh eyes. 

Bad idea.

I went to Office Depot (I love Office Depot--it's an anal-retentive's dream come true) and bought a large wall calendar. I went through and circled in red the days of each month I know I have articles due. Then I backtracked, setting goal dates for partial project completion.

So, for example, I have an Art Jewelry marketing column due on June 15th. My calendar shows I'm to chose a topic for this column by April 17th and all interviews are to be scheduled by April 24th.  An initial draft is due May 14th, with revisions by May 29th. A final draft that I can send to friends to be critiqued is due on June 6th.

The result? The article is done well ahead of time with plenty of time for reviews, revisions, and critiques. I select my next column topic on June 13th, even before this one is due.

I'm doing this for all my articles and have seen a marked improvement in my writing.  I wasn't sure I'd follow my system but never underestimate the allure of dates marked on a calendar in indelible green and red ink. My friend Pam's blog today is about being a rule breaker. Not me. I live for rules. Rules=order=tranquility. So if the calendar says interviews are due by a certain date, I forget I'm the one who arbitrarily set that date and follow it the same as if it were chiseled in a stone tablet come off a mountain.

If only I applied the same systematic dedication to working on my books, which are molding over in a corner in the Spring heat.

One battle at a time...