Turn your rut into a groove.

am--7 Lower Zen w/ Andy. Deep discussion. At times, I was lost in concepts. Nonetheless, a good run. I wondered why so many people were running this morning, and then it dawned on me that it is a new year. Here's to making the resolution a lifestyle. RHR--50. 

Finished Gold in the Water by P. H. Mullen. It's about swimmers from Santa Clara Swimming Club and the pursuit of their 2000 Olympic dreams. Here are a couple great quotes: 

"It is a myth that greeat athletes outperform themselves under pressure. They access and unleash the potential they already possess. Wilkens was improvising his race, but he was accessing a lifetime of preparation. The best champions become the sum total of their parts" (315). 

"To make this team is going to be sweet, to fail is going to be very painful. Either way, the sun will come up the next day and life will go on. But those who strive, those who leave nothing on the table, those who will take the risk, will all be winners. Life is truly sweeter for those who truly live it. The world belongs, and will always belong, to the people who participate. Those who stand on the outside, who never risk, who never fail, cannot now, or will they ever, understand the beauty of each breath of life. So don't feel sorry for those who fail, feel sorry for the majority that never participate. They'll just never understand, let alone feel, all that life can and should be" (216). 

pm--10 Fit Farm out-and-back w/ 4x 1-min. pick-ups. I feel strong and beat. I don't consciously push the pace, but my body seems to crave a stout effort. Having no one to talk to surely adds to things. RHR--53.

I was reading 3 books the last few days. Finished the 2 today--Hamlet  and a book about Neutral Milk Hotel's last album, "The Aeroplane Over the Sea" from the 33 1/3 series. Over the last few days, I have immersed myself in the album. It is the height of vulnerability, beautiful and grotesque. If you have 40 minutes, take a listen. Books this year--3. 

am--4 Truncated morning run. Start work again today. It's been good to spend time w/ the family, but the routine always treats me well. RHR--54. 

pm--4 A few miles, w/ 8x striders, after a mostly unproductive day on the job. A teacher needs students. Plus, I'm just feeling ornery lately. 

pm--6.25 Green Springs via Quail Ridge. We had a nice group and a stout pace on the first official day back. The run felt great. RHR--54. 

am--5.75 Morning run w/ duck pond hill. It was cold this morning but not frozen at home. Near PVHS, it is a frozen tundra. RHR--53. 

pm--5 Some miles w/ the girls on the warm and cool of their 6-min. test. 6x striders after. It was sunny but cold this afternoon. The long-sleeve shirt and gloves were a good decision. 

am--9 Cemetery Loop via Harmons. Cosmic run w/ a gradual drop in the pace to make it a negative split. Good to get back to school and run w/ the kids again. Nice first week of the year. RHR--53.

Finished a couple books today: the inspiration for Blade Runner, Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, and If This Isn't Nice, What Is? by Kurt Vonnegut. Both were enjoyable. A quote from Vonnegut's book--it's a collection of graduation speeches: 

"And only well-informed, warm-hearted people can teach others things they'll always remember and love. Computers and TV don't do that. 

A computer teaches a child what a computer can become.

An educated human being teaches a child what a child can become" (28-29). 

5 books this year.