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

I spent a wonderful weekend in - of all places - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I was there to speak at the pasta party the night before their Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K. And, I have to say it was one of the most pleasant all around event experience I have had in a long, long time.

The total participants in the 3 events was about 2100. There were about 800 people at the pasta party. That means that 1/3 of the participants showed up for the pasta dinner! I'd like to think it's because I was speaking,  but I don't believe that that was the ONLY reason.

It is, they are, there is, a running community is Saskatoon. An honest-to-goodness running community. And as if to prove the point, Teresa the race announcer was calling out MANY of the finishers WITHOUT looking at her computer for their names.

Don't misunderstand, I like the big - let's say MEGA - events. I'm on my way to San Diego this weekend for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, the "mother" of the destination marathons. It's a great race, a great time, and one of the best for first timers.

But, there is a charm to the smaller, local events that sometimes gets lost in all the bright lights of the major events.

*Programming note*

As some of you know, I've spent the last year trying to sort out cholesterol, statin, and heart issues. I'm going to spend some time on this forum chronicling the sequence of events that led to last week's angiogram. Stay tuned.

John

I spend a fair amount of my life on the road traveling to events all over the country. It's become a part of who I am and it's a very comfortable place for me to be. It doesn't matter to me whether it's a 6,000 plus people at a Team in Training pasta party or 10 people in a running specialty store. I like being out there and talking to, and with, other runners and walkers.

This week, though, I am going to Lima, Ohio to talk to a group of elementary students - and I am scared to death. OK, not to death, but I am much more nervous about speaking in front of a bunch of kids than adults. Kids, you know, won't let you get away with anything. If you're not "getting it done" they will let you know in a hurry.

It's an interesting group, though. The school has a "positive addiction" program in which the students train for a 5K. Guess that's why they think bringing in a running guy makes sense. So, at least I'll be able to relate to their experiences getting ready for the race.

I've been trying to find a way to package the "penguin" message into something that works for a 5th grader and it's not that easy! I don't think many of the kids at that age will have struggled with cigarettes and booze! At least I hope not.

But, I think, one of the essential elements of being a "penguin" is learning to define yourself FOR yourself. Many of us - and I suspect so many of them - have been defined by the people around us that we have no idea who or what we truly are. And if we start buying into other's expectations as children it's nearly impossible to break free of those expectations as adults.

So that's my plan; to help them learn to be strong in themselves and what they want to be. Wish me luck.

John

Welcome to the Penguin Nation. We're not REALLY open for business, but will be soon.

Stop by JohnBingham.com and see all that's going on in the Penguin Nation.

I'll be back soon.

John