What’s on my reading list: Shoe Dog

What’s on my reading list: Shoe Dog

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKEShoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of my all time favorites! I listened to it on Audible during my commutes. Sometimes I would sit in my car in my driveway and just keep listening. I found the history, geography and world culture lessons given through the lens of someone sharing their life story absolutely fascinating.
In January 2008, I saw the movie The Bucket List and crazy as it sounds, as a non-runner put “run a marathon” on my list. I’ve been running in a different brand ever since, but now that I have read this story I am going to the running store to pick up some Nike’s immediately.
Thank you Phil Knight for your contributions and thank you for sharing your story.

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Sofa to 1/2 Marathon in 65 Days Final Post

It’s race week.  It’s time to rest the legs and prepare for Saturday’s race.  If you feel like you haven’t gotten in enough training runs or if your legs feel great – stay off of them.  You can’t cram for a race like you crammed for a test in school.
From Stephen Covey:  
“Can you imagine “cramming” on the farm? Can you imagine forgetting to plant in the spring, flaking out all summer, and hitting it hard in the fall–ripping the soil up, throwing in the seeds, watering, cultivating–and expecting to get a bountiful harvest overnight?Cramming doesn’t work in a natural system. That’s the fundamental difference between a social and natural system. A social system is based on values; a natural system is based on principles. In the short term, cramming may appear to work in a social system. You can go for the “quick fixes” and techniques with apparent success. But in the long run they just don’t work.”
Monday – off
Tuesday – 2 miles
Wednesday – 2 miles
Thursday – off
Friday – off
Saturday – Race Day

Sofa to 1/2 Marathon in 65 Days Part 7

Today is an 8 mile run day.  Why cut back on the miles?  To prepare you for next Sunday’s 13 miler.  It’s the trial run.  Some say you don’t need to get in a 13 mile run before running a half.  If you want to swap that day out for 10 miles, go ahead.  Most full marathon training schedules only go to a 20 miler, but I feel that if you are feeling good then go for it – and time it.  It will give you that much more satisfaction for completing your 1/2 marathon in a couple of weeks AND for setting a new personal best on that day.  The adrenaline, crowd energy, and co-runners will push you faster than you run in your training runs.  Guaranteed!

This week: (days 47-53)
Monday – off
Tuesday – 3 miles
Wednesday – 5 miles
Thursday – off
Friday – 4 miles 
Saturday – 2 miles
Sunday – 13 miles (don’t worry if you walk most of this.  Try to run as much as you can)


A peek ahead to next week: (days 54-60)

Monday – off
Tuesday – 2 miles
Wednesday – 4 miles
Thursday – off
Friday – 4 miles 
Saturday – 2 miles
Sunday – 8 miles (don’t worry if you walk most of this.  Try to run as much as you can)

Sofa to 1/2 Marathon in 65 Days Part 4


You can do this!  Starting is the hardest part, but I promise it gets easier.

If you miss a day the best thing to do is forgive yourself and get back on track.  It’s OK to miss a few.  Just don’t miss most.  If you are sitting at work and you skipped your morning run try to get in a brisk walk on a break.  Find a hallway or a staircase and get your heart pumping.  You don’t need to break a sweat to be doing something great for your body.  Just get moving.

If 5 days of running is too monotonous for you, then mix it up with a Freakin Fabulous Friday.  Get in 30 minutes of your favorite exercise. Swim, bike, lift, go to a group fitness class.  Here’s what Runner’s World says about adding cross training to your routine

“It builds strength and flexibility in muscles that running doesn’t utilize. It prevents injury by correcting muscular imbalances. And the variety prevents boredom and burnout.”


This week: (days 19-25)
Monday – off
Tuesday – 2 miles
Wednesday – 3 miles
Thursday – off
Friday – 3 miles
Saturday – 2 miles
Sunday – 7 miles (don’t worry if you walk most of this.  Try to run as much as you can)

A peek ahead to next week: (days 26-32))
Monday – off
Tuesday – 2 miles
Wednesday – 4 miles
Thursday – off
Friday – 3 miles 
Saturday – 2 miles
Sunday – 8 miles (don’t worry if you walk most of this.  Try to run as much as you can)

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