These people already wrote my book. Running the Edge.

I love writing. And running is a huge part of who I am. So, I've naturally thought about writing a book about running. Because while I know that not everyone loves to run, deep down I believe that running can change most people. Including many people who believe or claim that "they can not run."

That statement frustrates me. It hits a nerve. 

I want to tell everyone that they can run. Anyone can run. Ironically, I am part of a program where I am matched with someone who really can't run. At least at this point in his life. He has a medical condition that limits his ability to run. I have faith that he will eventually grow strong enough to run, but for now I run for him. Many people have limitations that don't allow them to run. But if you are overall physically healthy and have the ability to move your legs at whatever pace you want, you can run. The pain of running does not mean that you can't run.

Well, before I go too far, it turns out there is already a book out there that is basically what I would write, and more, if I were to write a book about running. It's called "Running the Edge" by Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano. I am only about 1/4 of the way through this book but I think I've almost highlighted every word or quote in my Kindle. I find myself constantly yelling "YES!" out loud as I read it. Needless to say, I think you should add it to your reading list ;-) Of course I'm yelling 'YES!' because I can relate. But also because I want more people to experience the joy.

Without copying and pasting every quote I've highlighted in the book so far, really it's about the journey that running takes you and your body on, and how it affects the other stories of your life. Adam and Tim break those other stories down into education, career, family, friendships, and passions.

Yes it hurts like hell when you first start. I would say that is true for most runners. I've been running since 6th or 7th grade (translation/conversion- for about 16 years now), but it hurt in an un-enjoyable way basically until I was in college. Maybe that means I'm not the most naturally gifted runner or I didn't know how to accept the pain and push myself through those years, but I eventually got to the point where I felt freedom. A release as I ran. I knew my body and it felt natural to push it.  And ever since then, it's been getting better and better (of course, proper running form is important...I'm more than happy to help or answer any questions about that :). More enjoyable. Now, I can't imagine my life without it. And that is slightly terrifying. I don't take my health or legs for granted. 

But it did take me years. And that is why I get so 'frustrated' when people say they can't run. You can. You can go through the pain like so many of us have. And you will experience euphoria if you just stick with it. That doesn't mean you want to, but that is a different issue. Do not say you can't. Running is as natural an activity as....walking. Except the challenge of it gives you so much more.

"...after your runs, as you count the new blisters on your feet, you feel as if you've been hit by a truck. The conventional wisdom that running is not fun seems truer than ever. "How can people do this for fun?" begs a painfully obvious answer. They can't! But if you continue to run and resist all common sense and logic to quit, one day, something magical happens. One day, while on a run, you notice that running does not hurt. Not only does it not hurt, but it feels natural and easy. Your legs feel powerful and strong. Your breath, heartbeat, and muscles have found a rhythm and harmony working together in perfect balance. You get a sense that this is what humans were meant to do, and you feel a connection to your primitive ancestors, as if you have discovered what you were always meant to be."

That is what this book is about. Oh I love it. That is exactly what I felt. About 5 years after I started running.  

"Runners are not being chased: They are chasing. They are chasing faster times, longer distances, and a blissful peace of mind. They line up in the same place and pay money to chase finish lines anywhere between one and one hundred miles away. Runners are in constant pursuit of personal goals, trying to discover their maximum potential. Running is an active crusade of self improvement. As runners carve away layer after layer of the unnecessary and replace them with the essential, they know for certain that they are not running away from anything. They are chasing who they can become."  - Running the Edge

This book is interactive and I've started my own workbook. It's about reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses and becoming a better you, through running, or your personal-interest life story.

You can run. And it will be awesome. I promise. 

Rowing Regatta Rookies

regatta

rɪˈgatə/

noun

noun: regatta; plural noun: regattas

1. a sporting event consisting of a series of boat or yacht races 
   
   (per Google)
   
   
   I asked some of my teammates if they knew what "regatta" actually meant as we were standing around waiting to race at our first "regatta." Does it mean "race?" No one knew. We are so new. 
   
   Eventually we will know what we are doing, but for this regatta (held in St. Ives), me and my fellow "Learn to Row" teammates entered into an "Explore Rowing" event held at lunchtime. We gathered....it's basically intended to be lunchtime entertainment for the real rowers. 
   
   Our coach Teresa told us about 4 weeks ago that we had our first "race" on 21 June. We all laughed.....doesn't the course end 7 June? :) It was far enough away that I ignored the fact that I was still trying to stroke and not fall out of the boat at the same time. 
   
   So Saturday rolled around. Beautiful sunny day on the river. None of us has been in a quad. None of us had rowed together. Not once. But our names were drawn out of a hat to create 2 teams of 4, and we got in the boat when they called us up and we rowed. Regardless of what happened in the water, it was warm, sunny, fun and there was really good food and drink available. It was fun hanging out with each other outside of Saturday practice & observing the rowing community in action.
   
   Our competition was clearly not as "new," being fairly coordinated and having matching uniforms (too legit). So, we did not win. But we rowed for 200 meters, together, and didn't capsize.  We weren't THAT far behind, and they showed excellent sportsmanship as we crossed the finish line as they hooted and hollered at us. 
   
   Now that the class is over and we are all joining the club for the rest of the season, I'm looking forward to actually working on communication in the boat and coordinating strokes. It was obvious to most of us that was lacking going into the race, but we went with it and were good sports. The competitive edge will come. And more regattas! Now that I know what that means. It means rowing, fun, good people and maybe a beer and good sausage (not a Bratwurst...Bratwurst is German, Dave was told when he ordered for me). 
   
   
   

   

   Click to Enlarge. We're still super tiny. 

   
   

   
   

   Photo & food delivery credits: Dave!
   

Pure Michigan vs. Ely. There is room for both.

We've been in England for 6 months now. It is our new home. Current home? I don't know. What does home mean? :)

Several weeks ago in the midst of Spring, while some Summer temps started creeping in, I was walking to the grocery store in the evening and got a whiff of burning wood....like a campfire....where?! Where is it coming from?! Waves of sadness and nostalgia for Pure Michigan came over me...I swear I almost shed a tear.

For the most part, there is just too much to enjoy here to worry about not being there. But you can't escape the feelings that a campfire brings to the surface :) 

When I first wrote about our new home, we were definitely still the new Americans in town. We were sort of recognized at some of the places we frequented, but overall....I still felt like as much as I wanted to experience it, I just as badly wanted to get in and get out of places before I stood out too much. Before they knew!

But everyone is just so friendly here, that I started feeling more comfortable dropping the anxiety that my American accent gave me. When they realize you are an American (*gasp*), they just want to talk, hear your stories and welcome you. I have to say I love living in the country of our closest allies....where we have plenty of similarities and differences to discuss.

I decided to be more talkative and engage more in conversation when I was out and about. And what happened next was.....well, I turned into a Chatty Cathy. 

One particularly epic day, I chatted with the owner of the local chocolate shop about her haircut. I went back later that day and bought some marzipan and chocolate so I wasn't just known as the girl who used her for haircut advice :) I chatted with the gentleman at Mountain Hardware.....just about the weather, but still. And I really chatted up the ladies at the new delicatessen in town about cheese recommendations and all of their tasty-looking products. It was so much more fun being socially normal :)  The next day I talked to the kid working the checkout at Sainsbury's (my grocery store....that I'm in basically every day) about his studies at Cambridge & his Easter holiday.  I had no shame in asking him to help me out when he started using educational terms foreign to me....help out the American, I don't know what you're talking about. 

One day, I left my keys in the door...outside. They had been there a few hours before a nice lady knocked on the door and told me....I know, I'm lucky. But at the same time, I'm not surprised. We feel like we live in a very safe place. A couple weeks later, I was walking down the street back home and had the opportunity to inform someone about THEIR keys in the door.

This all probably sounds silly and miniscule. But, as each day and each week passed, I felt more and more at home.

By the time we were showing all of our visitors our favorite places to eat and drink in town in May, it felt so nice that we were known and greeted with such a friendly welcome everywhere we went. I've never felt such a strong sense of community anywhere I've lived (ok except maybe specifically on Zachary Dr. in Kansas:). I'm already sad for when we leave. 

A little over a week ago, we were at Peacock's  (the local "famous" tearoom across the street) with Dave's Mom and Step dad. As our normal server, who is from France, was inquiring about where they are from in the states, we learned that he really wants to visit Detroit. Yes, you read correctly.  A guy from France who lives in the UK really wants to visit Detroit. He is into photography, and has an interest in capturing the state of a place that is desperately holding onto its roots and trying to recover. He is interested in capturing the beauty of the Motor City. It's A Small World started playing in my head. I was very fascinated with his fascination and found it refreshing that he saw more than what the media portrays. It made me wonder what people over here see/hear about Detroit, and what made him seek out the deeper story. More to talk about next time. I have nothing but fond memories of visiting Detroit as a child, adolescent and adult...Tigers games, Red Wings games (um, also, Stanley Cup parades), Greektown, shows at the Fox Theater, the 4th of July fireworks, SEVERAL auto shows with my family...but can't say I always have the patience or willpower to defend it against people who only see one side of things: its current state, without looking at any of the history about why it was so important to the U.S. and what went wrong. It inspired me to watch the Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown Detroit episode again.

So, here is my opportunity to tell you that the full episode is on Netflix and you should watch it, without shoving it in your face.  It doesn't go into the corruption of leadership over the years, but that is nicely summarized in plenty of articles on the web.

Here is a preview.

So, 2 of my many worlds collided that day.  I have several experiences and travels to write about since we've been here, but I guess I first had to mention the French guy who wants to visit Detroit.

This week, I also have my last 2 of 10 sessions for my Learn to Row course with the Isle of Ely Rowing Club.  It has been an awesome experience learning the sport, getting to know the locals who run the club and meeting other new rowers. I can't wait to join the club and look forward to Saturdays on the water. Fun fact: The first recorded races at the University of Cambridge were in 1827. The Detroit Boat Club was founded in 1839 and is the oldest continuously-operated rowing club in the U.S. Just a little something I learned while reading about the history of rowing. 

One of the many beautiful Saturdays I've had for rowing on the River Great Ouse

Last week, I realized that I now have little fear of the roads and the roundabouts. I decided at that point that it's official. I'm totally integrated. Home is on the left side of the road for now.

However, my mate who is from England just recently corrected me.....it's Beans ON Toast, not Beans and Toast. What is beans on toast, you ask? It's a British thing (or English thing?), and it's amazing, and it's exactly what it sounds like....I make sure to include mature British cheddar.  Wikipedia tells me it is also a British folk singer who sings about sex, drugs and politics. I still have so much to learn, but I'm proud to add Ely to my list of homes. 

It doesn't look like much....I know. Trust.

You have to use these beans.