I think you all know that I am the master at avoiding reading. When I was in high school I never read any of the classics. In fact, when I got a D in junior AP English at Anadarko High, I switched the next semester to regular English and they covered the same thing as the first semester in AP so I remembered the answers and got an A. The teacher could not figure out how since he taught both classes.
In my other classes and in college I developed an ability to listen in class and know what was going to be asked on the tests so I seldom read even the text book assignments.
When we were asked to read the Book of Mormon, I figured out I could listen to the cds traveling to work and did not read then, or really ever from cover to cover. (revelation)
I am very good at not reading anything other than what I have too. I do remember reading a novel once that was written by a guy that had swindled several million dollars from the first bank I worked for. Then it had been about 25 years when I read the Davince Code and then Angles and Daemons over the course of about three years.
Comes the summer of 2010. Thinking I should do something good for me I pick up a book in the market in Bear Lake (The Templar's Throne), a so so book. Then figured I had to read a Glenn Beck book, and before I know it I was reading Born to Run. Seems like a lot of reading for a non-reader. So what is the result.
By the time I got to the third book in one summer my brain was overloaded. The last few morning I have woken up with sore muscles, like I had been running all night. During the day I find myself walking around trying to keep my heals off the ground. I have been obsessing about web sites that say run barefoot. I am craving bean burritos wrapped in corn tortillas. I am considering giving up diet Coke. I found a Cruse that includes a tour of the Cooper Canyons in Mexico. I found Barefoot Ted's web site and considered asking him to coach me (until I saw the price). I am convinced I need to loose weight to help my running. This morning when I woke up it seamed that I was laying on my side in a running position. I can tell you about every style of Vebrams and what they are intended for and what color they are. I can even tell you about the counterfeits. I have recommended Born to Run to friends and complete strangers. I am thinking that maybe I can run again and enjoy it before I started having knee problems. I was even disappointed to find out they did not have my size of Bikala at the running store and did not know when or if they would get them. I was considering getting two pair before I even tried one pair on.
Everything I need to know I thought I learned in Kindergarten, but it seems not. I have learned that good runners are basically good people. (Maybe a little crazy if they are ultra distance runners.) I now try to eat like I was poor (Sometimes). It is important to run for the joy of it and not for the end result (I used to do that and hope I can get back to that attitude). And most encouraging, at 65 I should be able to run as good as I did when I was 19 (dream on).
Well I have rambled on enough. Is it reading overload or longing for the past? Will I just keep reading or try to live the dream again? Only time will tell, but I am open again to book suggestions that will cause me to have good dreams.
4 comments:
As you can see, all this frenetic reading hasn't helped in the spelling department. But, hey, one step at a time.
Jim that's awesome... I lent our copy out and then bought another one to send to some runner friends.
I wore the vibrams to school and the whole office staff was around me asking me questions about running. After about 30 minutes of what seemed like a college lecture, I suggested they read Born to Run. (And I got to talk a little bit more to the cute PE Aide) Dude, dad. It seemed like it had a positive (though weighted) effect on you. Congrats.
Don't worry, I'm not much of a 'classics' reader either. I skimmed through most every book in High School (and college for that matter). For me, I'd rather wait for the movie to come out then read a book.
I lent out my copy of BTR a while ago but need to get it back since Jenn now wants to read it.
When Jenn, Trevor and I went out to Anadarko last year, grandpa commented (after seeing my triathlon shirt) that "James used to do those until his knees started hurting." Hopefully things work out and the knees cooperate. See you at Stansbury (maybe)
:)
Post a Comment