As I've taken time off from running, I've been spending more time with my books. I don't mind that; I'm a voracious reader. I was reading a lot of non-fiction earlier this school year, but now I've gone back to my roots.
My all-time favorite has always been Stephen King, and I've been indulging my obsession quite a bit this month.
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| I had to reread this one, because the sequel came out and it's been too long! |
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| It's been awhile since SK has written real horror, and this was just what the doctor ordered! |
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| I'm in the middle of this one. Slow at first, but once it picks up, it's awesome. |
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| Well-written and eerie. I highly recommend this one, and "Horns". |
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| His 'n hers at the beach. (Mine is the BOGA!) |
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| I'm at the beach in October. Jealous? |
I'm disappointed, but I also need to face reality. I'm not ready for the full; I've had too many setbacks. I'd rather run the half and enjoy it than struggle through a full I'm not ready for, possibly injuring myself and definitely doing some mental damage, too.
In January, I set my resolutions. My original goal this year was to run an "extra-long" long run to see how it felt, and then decide on if a full was in my future. I've accomplished that much.
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| My 2013 NY Resolutions. |
Running is a life-long commitment. I don't want risk being able to run for a long, long time. In the long run (haha), this is one season that got a little off-track, but there will be many seasons to come.
How do you enjoy spending your downtime?
Are you a big reader? Recommend something to me!
ABK
Here's a coincidence: I was watching a rerun of Friends today and Joey was reading SK's "The Shining." He got scared and hid it in the freezer...LOL.
ReplyDeleteI might need to start reading some Fiction as well. My reading is purely non-fiction right now. :)
I love that episode! Then he reads "Little Women" and gets upset when Beth dies, so he has to put that book in the freezer too!
DeleteI'm glad that you were able to look ahead to your well being when deciding about the half vs. the full - I'm sorry the race didn't pan out, though :(
ReplyDeleteI feel the same...I guess it's the mark of a mature runner to know when they need to change plans.
DeleteOh my gosh I don't know HOW you are reading those scary books! I get scared by movie trailers... and to me reading is always more emotional that movies, so I bet I would be terrified! Although I have always wanted to read The Shinning... classic. I probably should. But I will do it in the summer time when I am around a lot of people. Not alone in the cold winter in my apartment. YIKES! I think you are being really smart with your running and training! Way to go :) You will be so happy that you are NOT injuring yourself by going longer than your body is ready for! You have plenty of years and races ahead of you to run a marathon! PLENTY!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe novel is WAY scarier than the movie, to me, but also way different. If you've seen the movie, it's just a totally different experience than reading the book (in this case). Stephen King HATED the adaptation because it's so different.
DeleteThanks for the encouragement...I feel really let down to have to back out, but I know it's the right thing to do.
Amen to your last statement! I want to do a Ragnar one day!
ReplyDeleteit's actually been 90 degrees here in VA so we could be at the beach!
I'm so excited for Ragnar...I can't wait!
DeleteAh, you're feeling my "it's still summer here" pain, I see!
I am so jealous of you being at a beach in October...I ran in 7 degrees Celsius which equates to about 44 Fahrenheit I believe...no beach weather in my forecast!
ReplyDeleteI too had to think of my future running goals and not short term when I couldn't get my mileage training in for my first 1/2. It is discouraging short term but long term....so much better. I am still able to run now when last year I couldn't. I am so thankful for that!
I'm super jealous of your weather. The coldest it gets here is 50F, but I'm looking forward to those mornings, for sure.
DeleteGlad you played it smart and are reaping the benefits now!! That's very encouraging to me!
WOW you are SO BRAVE! Haha
ReplyDeleteI can't read scary books or watch scary movies at all. I used to be able to watch scary movies when I was younger but after seeing Saw 1 I just stopped cold turkey. I don't think I slept for a month after it.
Very smart strategy to drop to the half I think, although I know it must be a bummer. There will definitely be many more seasons to come!
I love scary books and movies, but Matt hates the genre, so I never see scary movies anymore! I think now I'm more easily scared, too, because I'm out of practice lol. But I still love me a good scary book!
DeleteI'm pretty bummed, but I know it's the right decision.
Cool reading choices. I've been wondering about World War Z so I'm glad for your note. The Dude LOVES Stephen King so we have everything in our house. I had read some before meeting him and dip in to others now from time to time. But it's been too much for me lately (both length and intensity) - I think the last one I read, a few years ago, was Duma Keys.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Little Bee - also very intense. Different kind of horror. I had to make myself finish it by telling myself there are plenty of people out there living through these horrors, the least I can do is bear witness by reading about them. But it was also beautifully written, I'll read more by this guy.
And I'm applaud your running choices, I think they make such good sense! Enjoy this running season!
WWZ is a little confusing at first because it's written as a series of interviews. But once I got into the structure, I was hooked. It's really interesting to see how our current global economy/relations fed into the zombie war, etc.
DeleteI liked Duma Key because it was about Casey Key, where King lives in Florida, and I knew the area. But yeah, I agree that the length and intensity of his novels is sometimes a lot to bear.
I have to check out Little Bee...I remember being interested but nervous to read it by the description on Amazon lol.
I love Stephen King! It still feels like Summer here in California. :-)
ReplyDeleteI was in SoCal this summer and it was like 75...I'd take that over the 90 we have going on here!
DeleteI could never read horror books! The "horror genre" FREAKS me out!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy about your running decisions and completely agree with you! You don't want to do any mental or physical damage! I will be rooting you on virtually and spiritually for your upcoming races! You will rock them girl!!
PLUS this means you should run a FULL with ME! haha!
I want to run one someday but I am scared...I'm also trying to convince Rachel from Life. Or Something Like It to run with me as well :) :)
For some reason, I just love horror! I always have :o)
DeleteI think it'd be really cool to do a meetup marathon or half with a bunch of bloggers. If we could find a location central to most of us, I think it'd be really fun and a nice way to connect!!
That was so great of your husband to get you that paddleboard in exchange for his labor!! Looks like so much fun. Excited to hear about the 5k on Oct 19 (I have one the next day). Which Ragnar are you doing?!
ReplyDeleteOh and I love to read just NOT Stephen King, although my boyfriend loves his books :)
His getting me the board was partially selfish...this way, I have to learn to love paddleboarding as much as he does! The Ragnar I'm going is Miami to Key West next February. I'm super excited!
DeleteI'm bummed for you about the marathon, but I know that you won't regret the decision. I hate making hard decisions like that. Hope you get all healed up so you have another chance at a marathon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, girl. It really bites. But I know it's the smart decision. I know for sure that a marathon will be somewhere down the line for me, hopefully in the not-too-far future!
DeleteI LOVE reading! They're pure pulp but I've really enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse novels. If you've seen Tru Blood, don't judge the books by the show.
ReplyDeleteI tried to read the first in the SS series and didn't like the writing style...although I do love supernatural books usually. One of my good friends is totally obsessed with that entire series :)
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