OK. So here's the deal. I lost my job a week or so ago. I'll not bring it up again, except to say that, as a result, I have a some extra time on my hands. Because of that, in order to retain some semblance of sanity, I have decided, urged on by a number of friends, to write my long-thought-about running book. But I need your assistance.
If you're a regular reader you know I finished twelve marathons in twelve months last year. Some folks, runners and those who just don't get that "running thing", have indicated that they found that inspirational in some way. I'm not sure I get that, really, especially given the pain I felt while doing every one of those races, how much I did NOT want to train on so many mornings, and how many times I questioned my own sanity during the process. Not much there that I would consider inspiring!
I am also so very aware that there are so many other runners out there, many of them dear friends of mine, who have run many more marathons than I have, most of them faster than I will ever run. So, I'm not sure that what I did last year was so special that anyone would want to read about it.
Don't get me wrong. I am quite proud of the case behind my desk that displays my 30 marathon finisher's medals, twelve of which were collected last year. It felt nutty to commit to doing it in the first place, was such an adventure during the process, and resulted in an amazing sense of relief when it was all over. Besides that, however, I am not sure myself what it was all for. I have yet to consciously glean from that experience whatever life lessons may be hidden within. Perhaps there's some shiny new bling in there. I could use some.
Here's where you come in. I would love to know what you would like to know about the adventure. My running has taken me to some amazing places and introduced me to some even more amazing people. I have stories about Hungarian police pulling me off of the only marathon I've started but didn't finish, frantically looking for a store candy store in Barcelona, my wine-laden search for the Loch Ness monster the night before a marathon in Scotland, the power of the "Big G", the power of Mars bars, my hunt for choco-bacon in Austin, and why one should check the Internet's bed-bug index when booking hotels in marathon cities.
I believe there is something interesting in my stories..I'm just not sure yet what it may be. If you can help, please do. Cheers. But for now...
Gotta run!
13 comments:
GREAT IDEA! I find that as I get older, recovery takes longer. How on earth did you manage to stay physically intact while doing what you did? Maybe if you were in your 20s or something, but seriously, are you bionic or what???
Book recc (I'm reading it right now): The Happiness Project. Well-written and it may have suggestions that will help you navigate this uncertain time with more smiles.
@leslie thanks,my friend. just the kind of input i wanted. you're a star
Wow what a fantastic idea! I would love the stories about the culture of where your running in as you explained in the post, but also about the leadup - like the weather change or how you carb train in different countries where the food options are different and not what your used to.
I would personally LOVE to read about your journey and one can never have too many running books!
that second to last graph there? that's what i want to know more about. you've got lots of stories to tell - and hell, yes, your journey's been an inspiring one. i'd love to read what you write.
you've also talked about how this whole adventure has changed you, and i'd love to hear more about that, too.
go, shroom!
oh, and i'd also love to know how to get an airport... ;)
Yes, it would be great to hear your experience - especially the run-walk thing that you have been doing. Not many people get it well. You could strike a deal with Galloway Inc. as well may be!
Great idea! You asked, so I think a good (and real) book about 12/12 could be half a diary and half a hint-manual to do the same 12/12. I explain what I mean: how much time is it safe to reserve a hotel room for a marathon? Which Internet's sites you found to be the best (about price and quality)? Any hint about the baggage (especially if you fly "low-cost")? I think that mixing your emotions with running-tips with food hints would be a winning strategy.
I'd like to know about the races themselves: the good and bad points of each race and each course. Tell us why or why not we should consider doing these races.
The fact that you are a regular guy that ran 12 marathons in 12 months would make me read your book. I really can't run with the elites so I tend to stay away from their books. I like to read about something that I could possibly do.
Im interested in the many different places you traveled particularly,...
I'm not sure how many posts you are doing, but I would love to see some themed posts, where you go through and talk about that particular theme for each of the 12 races. For example, one could be a favorite picture post, and you could post one pic for each race that was your favorite or meaningful or funny and tell us why. Then you could do a post about worst part of the race and go through all 12 again, and talk about each one. Just a thought!
And even though you don't get it, it was really inspiring and fun to follow your journey last year.
Wow, I have a lot of reading to do! I just found your blog and I really enjoy the realness. Keep it up, write that book!! You had me at "Frantically looking for a candy store in Barcelona."
It is incredible that you ran 12 marathons in 12 months -- and I believe as you begin to write about the experiences you will find the nuggets of Truth reveal themselves to you. At the urging of several people, I am writing about my journey with polio and post polio syndrome and my Boston Marathon run and discovering that the process of writing is just as important as the finished project.
So let it flow Michael -- start out by writing an introduction -- why you are writing the book now and what message you want to send to your reader - be honest and authentic -- acknowledge you feel called to do this but not sure why -- you will be the time you finish the manuscript.
I would love for the book to have two aspects to it - one the 'stories' the adventures and then your sharing your inner psyche as you went through the different races, the training, etc. Use your blog to guide you and open up and see what God has in store. Good luck and I'll buy the book.
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