Relating to interactions and practices on a broad scale
• How irresistable is it? • [1 MIN READ] SteVath did his first run with the crew just 3 weeks before this writing. He’d been doing a lot of cycling before that. All of a sudden he had a 3-week streak going. As he headed out with his ebike last week (probably Not what he’s … More Sucked into the Vortex (#286: 2024’12’11’W)
• PR’s all around • [<1½ MIN READ] Consider this a motivational piece for any new runners out there. The last few months brought 5 particular GGR runners (4 brand-new and one pseudo-regular[:p]), all with marathon aspirations: AndEss, CJ3, Li, Sylvia, and Yuki. Except for CJ3—doing his second, all were doing this mammoth distance for … More Fall is Marathon Season (#283: 2024’11’20’W)
• And talking about them • [2 MIN READ] As circumstances would have it, the make up of GGR has been shifting in the last months. I can claim no direct influence on that shift. I’m just an observer and commentator. In this case, I’m talking about a shift in the direction of Asian-ness that … More Thinking About Group Ethnicity and Racial Make Up (#277: 2024’10’09’W)
• Awkward revelation • [2 MIN READ] My baggy shorts gave up the ghost recently by tearing at the lower seam and I haven’t been able to let them go. Putting them on, the verbal defense that came to mind was this: “It’s okay, there’s nothing to see anyway. I’ve been neutered.’ ASIDE: To be … More Calvin Quip: “…I’ve been neutered.”
• Significance, at least • [1 MIN READ] Last week was a trip-around-the-sun celebration for a particular Growlers Group Run club member. Personally, I’m uncomfortable with group celebrations of birthdays because it places particular value on those who don’t mind a little attention. I’m especially uncomfortable when the birthday doesn’t fall exactly on the day … More In the Eyes of the Beholders (#267: 2024’07’31’W)
• Not likely to do it again • [1½ MIN READ] In an unparalleled effort for this Shawmonter, I ran 2 marathons in 2 weeks this past April. Social runner that I’ve become, I got sucked and suckered in by multiple competitors who wanted company both while training and racing. I didn’t PR or Boston … More A Productive Month (#161: ZY Weekly Newsletter 6/22/24)
• In recognition • [1½ MIN READ] The Growlers traveling team (A.A.Ron, CtCloser, Jim, and Train Dave) convened 12 hours before the usual evening run to join Black Men Run’s 7:30 a.m. 10K Juneteenth Freedom Run from Please Touch Museum. What a show of fraternity, sorority, and unity! Anything that I’ve ever said about running … More Running Juneteenth (#263: 2024’06’26’W)
• Celebrating by running and eating • [1½ MIN READ] Last Juneteenth 2023, I spent the morning writing and publishing my thoughts and experiences on learning about Black community. There was not a lot of that growing up in the Southern Tier of New York state. There was a little more going to college in … More Anticipating Juneteenth (#261: 2024’06’12’W)
• Traveling and staying • [1 MIN READ] Except for the first time (2020: Thanks, Train Dave!) taking the GGR travel team on the road to visit Black Men Run, I’ve basically been the solo representative. There weren’t a lot of people keeping the club moving just before and during the COVID Twenties. For the … More On the Road and Back at Home (#260: 2024’06’05’W)
• Not a mathematical piece • [1½ MIN READ] Six combined Shawmont regulars and visitors got together in April to run four marathons in 15 days. Sounds like some kind of ultramarathon relay: Really it was just a few runners who seriously wanted company to keep them motivated for Jersey City, Boston, Gettysburg, and Big … More Four by Five in Fifteen (#160: ZY Weekly Newsletter 5/18/24)
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