Look at my handiwork! Before and after yesterday's off roading trip. I went with a group to AOAA Trails in Coal Township, Pa. and kicked up some mud. I was going to tell you all about it in this newsletter, but now I'm writing a story about it (hey it happens), so you'll just have to wait with baited breath. But know this: I had a blast. My Jeep is an incredible machine. Coal Township is a weird name (but if you look at the backstory to the park, you'll see why).
It was a busy weekend! On Saturday, I spoke at the Collingswood Book Festival (and yes wore a book dress) after having run 10 miles on my own and THEN leading an informal group run/tour of the town. Sunday was an all day affair. Now I'm getting ready to get out to Portland and start my west coast book swing and – oh yeah – run the Portland Marathon.
I'm running that marathon because my schedule called for a long run in preparing for the New York City Marathon, and my options were to run alone and long in a strange city, or run the marathon with a marked course and aid stations. I chose the marathon. And yes I am now that person who decides on a whim to run a marathon. I have no idea how I got here (though doing the ultra helped). I am not running this for time and, in a breaking of my usual race rules, will bring my headphones for the race to listen to podcasts, which is how I get through my long runs.
What podcasts? Glad you asked. I'll start out with the most recent episode of My Dad Wrote a Porno, which is one of the funniest things I've ever listened to. Then it will be new episodes of Inside the New York Times Book Review and Pop Culture Happy Hour. I've just gotten into Radiolab's More Perfect about the Supreme Court, and Outside/In, New Hampshire Public Radio's newish show about the natural world, so I have a bunch of episodes to listen to there, but if I want something funnier by the end of the race, I'll be catching up on Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me.
Speaking of Portland, here's the three stops on my west book tour:
Portland, Oct. 6 at the Portland Running Company. Run at 6, talk at 7(ish). There's going to be beer and pizza. What more could you want? Also, they've had fun playing off my last name. The Facebook invite is a delight.
Seattle, Oct. 10 at Super Jock n' Jill, Greenlake Location. Run at 6:15, talk at 7:30. This store would be considered an "OG" in the speciality running store world. I'm honored they're having me.
Flagstaff, Oct. 12 at Run Flagstaff. Talk at 6 (no run). I have never been to Flagstaff, and I'm WAY excited to check out a great running town. Also I'm going to see the Grand Canyon! Not that this part of my book event, but I'm looking forward to it.
Also, I added something to the schedule that's not on the official tour graphic yet: I'll be moderating a panel on sports journalism at Bindercon in New York City. The conference is Oct. 29 and 30.
I will try to do a newsletter next week, but given that I'll be post-marathon, and won't have my laptop, I may not. I'll send out a note either way.
Recent Bylines
None. "JEN WHAT'S GOING ON?" you ask. Nothing. I've just worked on some longer stuff that takes time to write, edit and produce, so I'm working just as hard, but those stories aren't out yet. I believe one is scheduled to run on Oct. 10. So stay tuned!
What I'm Reading
I finished the great Grandfather Mountain book, and am doing a bit of a palate cleanser with Tessa Dare's Do You Want to Start a Scandal. It's fun and fluffy, exactly what I need right now.
What I'm Watching
I hope to wrap up the first season of Supergirl before I go, then catch up with current seasons of Indian Summers and Poldark. Then when I get back? Luke Cage Time.
Until next time,
Jen A. Miller
jenamiller.com
runningalovestory.com
twitter.com/byjenamiller
instagram.com/jenamillerrunner
Leave a Reply