Being a Philadelphia Marathon Race Supporter (#203: ZY Weekly Newsletter 11/15/25)

• Live and virtually • [2 MIN READ] There’s nothing like a crowd to make a competitive race seem easier and more enjoyable. I first cut my teeth on small marathons, where a runner can go a mile and see only other runners (I still rather prefer races like that.); so I was blown away … More Being a Philadelphia Marathon Race Supporter (#203: ZY Weekly Newsletter 11/15/25)

Short Circuiting the Marathon Brag (#331: 2025’11’19’W)

• As easy as a download and runner look up • [1½ MIN READ] I like this quote attributed to Jimmy Fallon: “How do you know if someone ran a marathon? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you” (Zen Yanni Newsletter 12/7/24 [ShawmontRunningClub.com]). I like it because of how true it is; certainly if I’m any indication. … More Short Circuiting the Marathon Brag (#331: 2025’11’19’W)

GroupMe and ACF

• For better or for worse • [2 MIN READ] “Bye, Tyler.” When Tyler dislocated his knee, GroupMe was the way we shared the developing news. When the ambulance pulled out of campus, the picture and the caption were the way Ella let club followers know his status. GroupMe is also the way Tyler shared … More GroupMe and ACF

Run Report: 08’27’W (#320: 2025’09’03’W)

• A certain kind of failure • [<1½ MIN READ] Using both Strava and MapMyRun to track every week’s run is a thing for me—both apps—as is getting a nice, round number to prove my compulsiveness. So, imagine my dismay when my phone battery died on me last week, midrun. Some people will argue running … More Run Report: 08’27’W (#320: 2025’09’03’W)

Jogging: Converging on a Definition (#190: ZY Weekly Newsletter 6/7/25)

• A fool’s exercise • [2 MIN READ] ”Running” and ”jogging” are words that have bothered me for a while. When I started running in 2012 (Mid-life Crisis), I didn’t start consider myself a runner until I sustained the habit of moving fast enough to keep both feet off the ground repetitively while maintaining a … More Jogging: Converging on a Definition (#190: ZY Weekly Newsletter 6/7/25)

Smart Guy (#175: ZY Weekly Newsletter 12/14/24)

• Not who I’d like to think • [1 MIN READ] A little conversation during a past run got Quietman Tom quipping to me, “You’re smarter than you look.” What was harsh had very little to do with the specifics of the conversation; rather, it was the way circumstances next unfolded to put that good-naturedly … More Smart Guy (#175: ZY Weekly Newsletter 12/14/24)

The Daves of JRC’s Running Club (#269: 2024’08’14’W)

• One especially special • [2 MIN READ] Anyone who attends the Growlers Group Run with any regularity (or even reads the run report in each weekly message) will notice that there is precisely one Dave running with the group these days. So why does he have to get the title ‘Train Dave’ when ‘Dave’ … More The Daves of JRC’s Running Club (#269: 2024’08’14’W)

Getting Better (#164: ZY Weekly Newsletter 7/27/24)

• Better with the heat and humidity all the time • [1½ MIN READ] I hadn’t been getting accustomed to the heat. But I had an excuse. The heat has been exceptional, no doubt. The last full week of July saw the 4 hottest days [free access with registration] ever scientifically recorded. That fact comes … More Getting Better (#164: ZY Weekly Newsletter 7/27/24)

I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends* (#143: ZY Weekly Newsletter 11/25/23)

• Something we can all use occasionally • [1½ MIN READ] I wrote at the beginning of November about SRC-branded products to ill affect. It seems Facebook trolls abound these days and will take advantage of any prompt to try to phish for information to steal in connection with false-product sales. Who knew? A couple … More I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends* (#143: ZY Weekly Newsletter 11/25/23)