Blog Posts From The Penguin Chronicles Tagged With world

Cutting Back To Go Forward

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:14:13 GMT

I ran my first marathon, in Memphis, TN in December of 1992. Well, that's not exactly true. I trained - or overtrained - for my first marathon during the fall of 1992. I didn't read anything about training, didn't have a training plan, just a stubborn determination. I made it to mile 6.

I complete my first marathon nearly a year later in Columbus, OH. I had a training plan, and a training partner. I had a race strategy and a very cool "engineer's" hat. I ran at least one marathon a year EVERY year from 1993 to 2006. That's 14 years. And some of those years I ran as many as 6 marathons. That's not a lot if you're one of the marathon maniacs, but it was a lot for me.

The marathon in 2006 was part of the Walt Disney World "Goofy" challenge. As it got late in 2007 I got worried about breaking my streak. Once or twice I started on a marathon training schedule only to get a certain distance and just think "no way". In 2008 I tried a couple of times to complete a half marathon training program. I started out with good intentions, but never got past a 12 mile run.

What I've discovered is what I knew when I started out. I like the shorter distances. I like running shorted distances, training for shorter distances, and racing the shorter distances. I can run more often, run harder and faster - fast for me - and find it easier to fit the training into my day. It works for me.

Why, then, do I feel guilty about REALLY liking the 5K distance? Why is it that I think that training for, and participating in, a 5K is somehow "less than" training for and participating in a half marathon or full marathon? I don't know. But I have some thoughts.

The running "industry" loves the long distances races. They can charge big fees, they can attract big crowds, and they can make a ton of money. I'm not being critical. I've certainly benefitted from the 2nd running boom's desire to run long distances at huge races.

What I miss, though, is the spirit and sense of community that you find in local races. I ran a small 4 mile run last Thanksgiving and had a GREAT time. I didn't have a great "time", but I was able to push myself just a little because I knew the distance was well within my capabilities.

These days I'm running 3 miles a day - or walking 2 miles - nearly every day. I can do that because I'm not worried about long runs. And, to be honest, I'm having more fun than I have in years.

So, it's not that I'm bashing the long distances and giant races. I'll be at all of the Rock 'n' Roll Series events this year. I'm just saying that for me - and maybe others - the joy of running is still the best reason to run, whatever that distance turns out to be.

Waddle on,

Wednesdays With The Penguin

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:18:00 GMT

So far, so good. I actually showed up on the first Wednesday to do the blog. It's not that I don't want to blog, it's just that I'm not sure I understand what it is that blogging does.

These days it seems like everyone with access to a computer keyboard has their own private space on the internet. I'm sure that all of us think that our lives are simply the most interesting lives ever, or at least we think that our uninteresting lives are of interest to others, but I'm not sure. As one who lives a fair part of my life in public I'm mostly convinced that my life is interesting to me and me only.

But, that's not to say that there aren't things that I'd like to say. Again, as a professional writer, there are things that I'd like to be able to say without the interference of editors, and copy-editors, and editorial boards, and advertising folks, etc. So, this is going to be much more free-form and MUCH more "real" than anything that makes it into print.

If it interests you; great. If not; I understand.

Today is about getting back into the groove. Over the past month I've moved and survived the holidays. I also turned 60 which seems to be a major age threshold for me. I haven't "had" to be "the Penguin" in over a month, but, Friday when I show up in Orlando for the Disney World Marathon weekend I will be "all Penguin all the time" and I'm looking forward to it.

Finally, I'm going to go back to the beginning and start writing a blog called "The Recess Bell". It will more general fitness based and will focus less on running and more on finding your own play.

So, that's it for this Wednesday, January 7, 2009. Enjoy the week. I'll see you next Wednesday.

John

Home and Away

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:50:11 GMT

It may be hard to believe that I could be home, and away, at the same time but that's what this past weekend was all about. The our biggest race, the Chicago Distance Classic now less than three weeks away I've been out pounding the pavement in the Chicagoland area.

Saturday I was up in Barrington with the folks from Dick Pond's. Sunday I was in Naperville for the Grand Opening of the new RoadRunner Sports store, and tonight - Monday - I'm at the Dick Pond store in Schaumburg.

Speaking of the CDC, this year is shaping up to be the best EVER. Registrations are ahead of last year, I've driven the course several times and it's FANTASTIC, and the post-race party is going to rock the city. If you're anywhere near Chicago you owe it to yourself to experience this race.

On the COMPLETE other side of my life, Jenny and I spent a couple of days last week on the Kyle Petty Charity ride. It benefits the Victory Junction Gang Camp - where we put on our Run to Victory in December. The HIGHLIGHT of the ride was getting to do two laps at the Road America track in Elkhart Lake. OH MY!! I used to go there to watch the motorcycle races. NOW I REALLY can't believe how fast they were going.

OK, back to work.

John !charityride08.jpg!

Where it all began

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:46:15 GMT

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

Making the Magic Happen

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:27:31 GMT

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

The Heart of Rock 'n' Roll

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:13:08 GMT

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

Back to School, follow up

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:21:08 GMT

I don't think you can see it, exactly, but the bottom line on the banner says "Wecome John Bingham". The top line says "Positive Addiction Week". Now, there's so much irony in that photo that it would take an entire book to write about it. But, let's just say that the short story is all there in the picture.

It turns out that it was a very positive experience for me. I'd like to thank all of those who emailed me and encouraged me to just be honest with the kids and trust that they would "get it". From what I could tell, and from the feedback I got, I think they did.

The message that I hoped to leave them with was that being YOUR best, whatever that is, is all you can ever hope to be. There's no sense trying to be anyone else's best or wishing that your best was better than anyone else's. The joy and satisfaction, from my point of view, is in the honest effort to find the best in yourself.

And, for those that asked, YES, I had a "Kewpie" burger in Lima. Guess it's the thing to do, and I have to tell you it was PRETTY good.

I headed through Cleveland before going home to speak at the Cleveland Marathon expo. Best part of the weekend was seeing Bart Yasso and introducing Bill Rodgers. What a treat.

This weekend I'm off to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. I'll be speaking at the pasta party on Saturday night.

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See you on the streets

John

Days of Wine and Roses

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:01:26 GMT

Now I know how the other half lives.

I traveled with Jenny and her Chicago Endurance Sports training group to the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon. Because of a special "package" deal we stayed at the Four Seasons - Biltmore. Oh MY! It's an beautiful hotel, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with gorgeous grounds. No way I could afford to stay there if we hadn't gotten a HUGE break on the price. But, it was nice to pretend to be rich for a weekend.

Somehow, I keep forgetting that just because it's California that doesn't mean it's going to be hot. Maybe because here in the midwest we imagine that there's nothing but fun and sun out there, but it WASN'T there this weekend. I own - without exaggeration - 20 fleece jackets or vest and DID NOT take one of them with me. So, I had to by a hooded sweatshirt just to survive the weekend.

The event itself was a bit of a mixed bag. Because I'm at so often a BIG races I'm always a little surprised at what "real world" events look like. They're often pretty low key affairs where the fun seems to come mostly from the social aspects of the experience. Most of the folks there were from the local running community and it was a chance for them to get together for a fun time.

The big difference at THIS race was the opportunity to do some wine tasting after you finished. I'm sure that provided MORE than enough motivation for the participants to keep moving. The course itself was very scenic and the only glitch I saw was that - somehow - they forgot to put out the mile markers! Other than that, though, it was a nice event.

This is a short week at home. I off to Ohio on Thursday.

Waddle on,

John