Running Virtually

Perfect September Sunday for a social training run with friends. Lots of talk about the Berlin marathon and Eliud Kipchoge's 2:01:09 world record. And thoughts about the long time I've lived in my neighborhood.

Life update: Life is good. Change is good. Plus a recap of the big The Extra Mile Podcast community gathering at the Bird-in-Hand half marathon in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

I had the most energizing, excellent, exuberant, exhilarating time as a VOLUNTEER at the 2022 Anchor Down Ultra. And I provide a 5-minute update on my current life status. SPOILER: my life is in FLUX! Cover photo image: jp dave and pro-trail runner (and great guy) Patrick Caron.

Summer escape to the lakes and mountains of Massachusetts, Vermont, and The Adirondacks in upstate New York. Recap of hikes on Mount Watatic, Baker Mountain and The Giant's Nubble.

My injury is behind me. I share a recap and summary of three runs with friends (social runs) during the week of June 13, 2022. 'Gansett Brewery Wednesday Club Run, friends at my house Saturday morning, and a windy & rainy Sunday on Cape Cod to celebrate Fathers Day.

Recap and quasi race report from the Flying Pig race weekend in Cincinnati. A most excellent gathering of friends to celebrate the Spring season and joys of 15,000 people working toward a common goal. Shout out to: Kevin G, Duane H, Chris R, Tim C, Shelly L, and Nate W. I ran a half marathon using the Galloway run-walk-run method.

I attended a pre-race panel discussion and learned about some other runners' perspectives. I also share a recap of my glorious day as a spectator at the Boston Marathon. And because I can't stop thinking about community, a discussion of the "Town Meeting" episode of another podcast called 'Rumblestrip.' #rumblestrip #bostonMarathon #TheRunningChannel

Community is important. As family and friends, we have so much more in common compared with our minor differences. That includes story-telling runners from the opposite side of globe. Audio file includes live read of "Just Plain Dave's Greatest Run Ever" with all credit to the Dirt Church Radio podcast produced by Matt Raymont and Eugene Bingham. #dirtchurchradio #anchordownultra

Observations on a foggy morning, musing in the limits of my perception and brown dog's abilities are greater than mine. And ... I'm working through rest and recovery to help my injured left heel get better.

Idea credit to Brittany Hambleton (6 lessons we can learn from our dogs, Canadian Running: January 26, 2022). My spin on the "running lessons" I can learn from my trusty 4-legged companion. Plus a short summary of a TARC group run at Blue Hills, and an update to my race calendar. I'll be running the Flying Pig marathon in Cincinnati on May 1, 2022.

January 1, 2022, marks the 10th anniversary of restarting my running journey. Happy memory of the Eagle Brook Saloon 5km race in 2012. // Thoughts on why reading the news every day probably isn't worth my time. Is it curated knowledge-filled content? Or is it clickbait? // Practice with a purpose. Whether it's running or learning a new skill. Approaching that time with a focus and a purpose is the...

Join me for a muddy, soggy, rainy hike in Village Park. Brown Dog and I share our observations. Lots of tree fall and damage from recent storms, plus a pinch of geology. The icing on the proverbial cake is chatting with a neighbor on the way home.

A summary of my experience running the 'Falmouth in the Fall' 7-mile road race in mid-November. And a my observations of a few little details in my day-to-day world that put a smile on my face and give me delight. Stopping to notice little delights is a great way to prime our minds for positivity. Happy trails!

Thinking about the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual benefits of spending time in fellowship with friends. Time with friends and running in small groups (2-3 people) or larger gatherings (at a race) is very rejuvenating. I share some of my experiences and observations, but also ideas shared on the podcasts: Dirt Church Radio and Trail Runner Nation. DCR is hosted by Matt & Ray in Ne...

Recap and summary of the 9/11/2021 Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon. Joyful real life meetup with (previously) virtual friends.

My recap of the August 13, 2021, Anchor Down Ultramarathon. My pre-race goal was to run 100 miles in 24 hours. My successful outcome was to run 100 kilometers (62 miles) in just under 14 hours. We had to take what the day would give us. It was an exceptionally hot and humid day. This recap includes a 6-minute pre-race speech by the Race Director, Jason Paganelli (thank you Jason for putting togeth...

When I'm out for a run or walking the brown dog, if I pay attention and look carefully, I often see animals out and about. Deer, coyotes, humming birds and more.

Fruit and berries are nature's candy and near perfect snacks. Eating real foods is so much better than processed snacks. Plus a brief rant on the 365 availability of everything. Our society and culture has made "everything available every day with free next day shipping" feel normal. Do we really need dog treats delivered tomorrow?

Working hard (& driving) to be a part of group runs; some key findings from the book, Burn, by anthropologist Herman Pontzer (click bait: “exercise does not link to weight loss . . . but exercise is REALLY good for you); and unexpected medical risks on marathon race day (risks to society, not the runners). Freakonomics of Medicine Podcast by Babu Jena.

Spring has arrived in New England. We are along for the ride as nature cycles through a season of rebirth. I’ve had lots of time in nature. And that is a very good thing. I reflect on my DNF (did not finish) at the 2015 Providence Marathon. I learned more lessons from that failure than from many successes.

Hiking at Swansea Village Park with my Brown Dog on a cold clear Spring day. I recently tweaked my back and am in recovery mode. The most important aspect of success in endurance sport (and life) is consistency in practice and training. I learned that most of our skeletal system training benefit is in the 1st ten minutes of exercise. And a highlight in the forest is that the evergreens and Holly t...

A meandering conversation about 5 flavors of snow, the miracle that ice floats on water; and why does melted cheese taste 100-times better than just plain cheese? Chemistry in real life is interesting and cool. The last chapter is about Emil Zatopek, the Czechoslovakian Locomotive. He was one of the greatest distance runners of the 20th century. He innovated interval training. I read an August 195...

Thank you for your time and attention. Just Plain Dave shares three chapters recorded across the month of January 2021: 1st his experience with the CV19 testing process; 2nd a sunset trail run that got a little spooky in Massasoit State Park, and 3rd a run that finished in a heavy snow squall. I am staying healthy and well, and am very grateful for you all, my friends and family. Happy trails!

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas. First, a random interaction with my neighbor Edith, with “see you tomorrow” familiarity. Second, a random act of kindness on the Wapack Trail and the pleasant neurochemical boost from helping a stranger. Third, a flashback to November 2018 when international travel seemed normal. This 2020 holiday season has me thinking about travel and family, and creating grea...

The EDS project took 36 days of consistent effort and big logistical challenges to try to map a route with minimal duplication. Lots of cul-de-sacs and private roads. I am very fortunate for my health and well-being so that I can attempt crazy challenges. /-/ This episode and my whole EDS Project are dedicated to the memory of my Uncle John, who crossed the final finish line in the Ultramarathon t...