I had a chance, last night, to do something that very few people get to do. I got to thank the folks that gave me the life that I have.
I am in Tacoma, Washington for the DRSWCXVI, the Dead Runners Society's 16th annual World Conference. For those of you who DON'T know, and I suspect that's MOST of you, the Dead Runners Society was one of - if not THE - first internet group of runners. It's a email list that started back in the dark ages of the internet - 1993 - and had a profound influence on how runners communicated with each other.
In 1995 I submitted an email to the BIG LIST, as it was called, that became the first Penguin Chronicle in Runner's World magazine. It was an email, no more, but it became the template for the columns. When the column first appeared in Runner's World, in May of 1996, my world changed. And it all started with the wonderful people of the Dead Runners Society.
It's also an opportunity to spend some time with my old friend Indro Neri. He and I met in Florence, Italy in the summer of 1996, I was the best man in his wedding, and we have had a number of adventures over the years 
including the Popcorn Chicken Odyssey in 1999.
There isn't time or space to describe Indro's level and depth of creativity. I can only say that it takes me about 6 months to process 24 hours of the conversations that we have.
So, today, I am grateful for the opportunity that I was given to be the voice of the second running boom. And, I am especially grateful to the membership of the Dead Runners Society - past and present - who were instrumental in giving me the forum on which to speak.
John
I am often asked what it's like to be a writer, author, and columnist. Now, for those of you who DON'T know, there IS a difference. And there's a big difference between writers, authors, columnists, and JOURNALISTS. I am NOT a journalist. At least I don't think I am.
What's funny is that there's probably a new category: blogger, or blogist. I guess I am one of those.
A writer "writes". If you look at Runner's World you'll see what I mean. They "write" articles about things that are interesting to them, or interesting to someone. Basically everyone in the back half of Runner's World is a writer.
An author writes books. So, yeah, I've done that.
But mostly I am a columnist. I write columns. And I'm not a journalist because I'm not writing ABOUT anything except what's going on inside my head. Make no mistake, I like being a columnist.
A column starts as an idea, a thought, or a concept. Sometimes they are based on something that is happening, like when I was stopped by a train in Portland, sometimes they're based on something that has just happened, like the Goofy Challenge, and sometimes they're based on something that happened a LONG time ago. And sometimes, they're not based on anything at all.
The white board in the photo is where I put column titles. That's always the first step. If I can get a title, I can write a column. Some titles turn into columns almost overnight. One title "Pacing the Cage" was on the board for over two years before I could make it work. I've got one up there now "The Butterfly Effect" that I'm sure will be a good column as soon as I figure out what it's going to be.
There's no way to grind out a column, or at least not for me. If it's there, it's there. I just sort of watch the words appear on the screen. And when it's working, it's more fun than I can describe.
So, if you've got a thought, an idea, a passion, an experience - write about it. Don't worry if anyone EVER reads it. Just get it down.
All the best.
John
What a day. 20,000 finishers experienced what was the best day for a Rock 'n' Roll marathon in San Diego that I can remember. The clouds were there early on and when they left, blown away by a strong breeze, that breeze kept all of us comfortable for the 8 hours and 24 minutes it took to get everyone across the finish line.
All the great coaches, mentors, and staff from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program stay to the end and form a Tunnel of Love for the final finishers. It's quite a sight. What was once a dreary and lonely walk to the finish line has been transformed into an emotional high point for the participant and for everyone who sees it.
I'm on my way home for the longest break I've had in quite a while. I'll sleep in my own bed for 11 days before I take off for Takoma and the Dead Runner's Society convention. Then, it's off to Anchorage for the Mayor's Midnight Sun marathon with the "Team" THEN it's off to the high seas on the Great Alaskan Maritime Marathon.
In the meantime, preparations are going hot and heavy for the 2008 Chicago Distance Classic. The registration numbers are VERY strong and we're looking forward to a fantastic event.
NOTES FROM THE HEART:
As I mentioned, I'm going to try to spend a little time each week chronicling the past year. It's been scary, frustrating, hopeful, confusing, and everything in between. For now, I'm back to being able to run for about 30 minutes, 5 days a week. That's a LOT of running compared to most of the last year.
I'm grateful to be back out there.
John
A semi regular account of the life and times of Runner's World columnist John "the Penguin" Bingham.
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