Ladies & Gents:
When I went to Disneyland in December, I met "Mary Poppins" outside a coffee shop. She told me "Head up. Don't slouch." Apparently, I didn't take her advice. I also need a haircut. But hey, it's a fun #jeeplife photo.
That photo was taken outside of an REI, where I bought these in preparation for winter running. Did you hear about their #optoutside campaign? Cynical me says it's just a marketing ploy, but if it is: it's one with a good message. I'll be partaking, but I haven't done in-store Black Friday shopping since Strawbridge's was around, so I'd probably be outside anyway.
Tired of running stuff? Sorry. I only have two races left in 2016 (and I didn't open with a race picture! But you can see get those here along with some silly Halloween stuff). On Sunday, I had a nice day running over the Ben Franklin Bridge with Mom. I came close to my 10k PR that I set on this course in 2009. Could I have broken it? Maybe. I didn't know I was that close until I came home and looked up my PR. I've been racing without a watch because, first, GPS watches throw me off in races, especially since they're not 100% accurate (no the course is NOT off, angry internet tweeters), and the watches track where you run and not the course, so if you weave around people, it'll be all out of whack. I sometimes race with a Timex, but I don't want to see my times right now or else risk pulling back because I don't think I can run that fast for that long. And second, I lost my Timex, and I really needed to buy this Jeep-themed Christmas shirt instead.
Speaking of running, congrats to everyone who ran the New York City Marathon yesterday! I'm so proud of you. Remember, you'll feel worse tomorrow than you do today (sorry guys! But I've run five marathons, and I'm still shocked with how I feel two days after). If you want to get teary, look at the New York Road Runner's Instagram feed, where they shared videos of some of the last finishers of the day.
An update from book land: I get my manuscript back today, all nicely laid out in book form. It's one of the last chances I get to make any changes. Soon that'll be turned into an advanced reading copy sent out to magazine editors and people we want to say nice things for the cover. Insert horror-indicating gif here (I'm sure Two Bossy Dames would have a suggestion or two). I'll also be getting my new headshots back from the photographer this week. Bye bye boardwalk photo. You served me well for five years, but it's time to move on. Also, the book now has a hashtag. It is, shocking enough, #RunningALoveStory
Recent Bylines
"For accidental marathoner, potential riches loom on New York City streets," The Guardian (Update: she finished first American female and seventh female overall)
"Training for the New York City marathon at 50," The Philadelphia Inquirer
"Weaving Your Own Safety Net," Rutgers Magazine
"Periodontics and Politics," Rutgers Magazine
What I'm Reading
Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith aka J.K. Rowling. It's a big book. Might take me a while. The way that Rowling was unmasked as Galbraith is a weird, Twitter-related story. You can read that here. Also on the docket is the new issue of Tracksmith's Meter. If you guys need a top notch freelancer who writes about running, I know one who's available…
What I'm Watching
I'm almost done season one of Jane the Virgin. It's so good and funny and weird and wonderful. I want THAT guy to narrate the audiobook version of Running: A Love Story. I've been keeping up with The Good Wife, too, which is always a solid choice. On Sunday, I introduced my mom to Sherlock. I'm going to need to watch that from start to finish again in preparation for the special to air in the U.S. on New Year's Day. Eeeeeeeee!
Until next time,
Jen A. Miller
jenamiller.com
twitter.com/byjenamiller
instagram.com/jenamillerrunner
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