The Penguin Chronicles

RE: Cutting Back To Go Forward

francesbrendan@gmail.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:34:03 GMT

Hey, I know what you mean about the spirit of the local races. It's quite special, isn't it! Great post!

RE: The Oprah Effect, or is it affect

bluffare@hotmail.com — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:14:56 GMT

I admire Oprah too (but you John are the true hero in my life).

Oprah doesn't seem to understand that she suffers from an eating disorder. When you jojo diet in that way - it's an eating disorder. Society has to stop saying that it's "good character" to be thin. It isn't. Then all anorexics would have good character. To change your life from beeing overweight/obese has nothing to do with good character. It has to do with reaching a greater insight about your life and your health. I have myself lost 77 pounds in 14 months (just by portion control, small meals, eating regually and mostly walking in the beginning) and have 88 pounds to go. I had never been overweight before, but suffered from great tragedies in my life and I gained all that weight in just 4 years and developed diabetes 2. I no longer suffer from diabetes. I also developed an eating disorder and I got treatment for it, which is rare since society doesn't understand that obesity is an eating diorder.

I live in Sweden by the way and your visdom have truly changed my life in ways you might don't even imagine.

RE: Cutting Back To Go Forward

a.ellis51@gmail.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:32:23 GMT

John, thanks for this column. I started running during the summer of 1996, right after you started your column in Runner's World. As an overweight and slow beginning runner, your columns were the motivation I needed to start, keep going, and start again each time I had an extended break from running. I have often thought I needed to do marathons to be a "real" runner, since I wasn't going to be breaking any records for speed. But all of my longest breaks from running have come after I pushed myself too hard and then burnt out, either physically or mentally, from the effort. The last couple of years I've been able to accept some of my running limitations and refocus my efforts onto shorter races, and have enjoyed my running more as a result. I've missed seeing your column in RW - I'm glad you have this as a forum. You're still an inspiration to me - I can't believe I've been running for 13 years now.

RE: Cutting Back To Go Forward

Vicki S. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:25:56 GMT

Does that mean you'll be in Las Vegas? That would be great in fact that will be my first marathon and boy do I have a lot of questions. Looking forward to seeing you.

Vicki S.

RE: Cutting Back To Go Forward

edandmolly@charter.net — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:22:52 GMT

Thanks for that John! I started running in September, and thanks to a great running partner and some determination I was not even aware that I had, I'm still at it! I have about 65 lbs to lose, and running is part of my plan. That being said, I do feel pressure to run faster and run farther. All the artices in all the magazines talk about more speed and greater distances. I don't dream about marathons or even half-marathons. I just want to run. Thanks for speaking for those of us who are perfectly happy running 2-3-4 miles sloooowwwwly!

RE: Cutting Back To Go Forward

justin@torrento.com — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:34:18 GMT

It's a good point to make that people shouldn't feel it's marathon or nothing. You can receive great fitness and enjoyment from training for and racing the shorter races as well, and many of the less "traditional runner's bodies" will be more competitive. Two quick comments though: 1. I'm pretty sure the average marathon promoter isn't making "a ton of money." Marathons bring in more than 5Ks certainly but this makes it sound as if they're striking it rich. 2. It's worth noting the average 5K participant is nowhere near as dedicated to the sport as the average marathoner. Both in personal money invested into the sport as well as recruiting new members to it, marathoners bring more to the table.

RE: The Birth of a Column

sklandolt@yahoo.com — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:47:13 GMT

It was fun reading your column's history. I wonder how many runners you've reached during those 13 years as a columnist?

I've enjoyed reading your column and have also enjoyed several of your books: No Need for Speed, Marathoning for Mortals and The Courage to Start.

My favorite quote is p. 12 No Need for Speed:

... "It isn't how fast or how far you run. It isn't even how long you've been running. It's only that you run that makes you a runner."

My blog IronMakeover encourages triathletes. Your quote easily transfers to triathlon. Overall, fast or slow, young and old, life is an adventure worth living. I encourage people to change their perceptions of what is possible, via triathlon or something else.

Keep the good posts coming,

Sara

RE: Eat more, Exercise less, Have great sex

beverlylhall@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:10:59 GMT

thanks John - you are an ongoing source of inspiration when I lose track of my health/fitness goals. I epsecially appreciate your heart for those of us who will never medal in an event but know we are blessed to be there!

RE: Eat more, Exercise less, Have great sex

doveintheattic@gmail.com — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:29:37 GMT

Thanks John! I've been truly lucky in that I've never been at an event where I was made to feel bad for my slow pace and overweight physique. It was the voices in my own head that I had to silence. I felt the need to prove something -- but I was the only one who seemed to doubt my abilities. I've been so thankful to have someone like you be a champion for all of us slowbies who are, in fact, accomplishing miracles everyday. Thanks for reminding me of that in everything you write!

RE: Eat more, Exercise less, Have great sex

Mianash@aol.com — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:36:48 GMT

You are so right movement is THE most important part of getting healthy. I think it's very important to start by getting the kids moving. Many of the schools don't even have gym class anymore due to funding, or they may have it once a week. Of course the best way to get our kids moving is by example. I love when the races have kids runs connected with them and I also love seeing parents walking or running with their children in 5K's and other races. Get the kids moving and it will carry through to adulthood.

BTW, my husband would totally buy a book with that title as I'm sure lots of men would - you'd make millions.