I’m closing out our fiscal year at work, but will close out September for my running and fitness.
There is a relatively new forum that focuses on running Disney races, and the running life in general. It is a great community of folks who have run multiple Disney races. Their experience and encouragement will be invaluable to those considering a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World or a race. Please register and join their site. I’m proud to be a member.
Hello Gordon:
I think you need to read JD’s column more carefully: he says that 200 lbs is the demarcation line between a skinny Kenyan and Jabba the Hut (way on the other side of the line). In other words, a 200 lb runner is a larger runner, which I think you’d agree.
Perhaps it was a poor choice of wording, but in no way did he call all runners over 200lbs Jabba the Hut.
In any event, you’ll be glad to hear that JD will no longer be writing for RT after January 2010.
Jonathan
Best,
Gordon
Dear JD–
I have always looked forward to reading your “Shoe Guy” article in
Running Times, so much so that I turned to that page before looking at
any other content the magazine had to offer—until today. I read with
particular interest how you planned to help a non-conventional body
style (the Biker guy) get the right shoe. I praised your
understanding and efforts to show him that there WAS indeed a right
shoe for him. Then you went and called him, and all of us 200 lb and
higher runners, Jabba the Hut. Wow! Kicked in the gut for weighing
more than you think we should. Was that really necessary? Sure, I am
confident all the many 160 pound runners nodded their heads in
agreement–perhaps even shared in a chuckle. But have you not seen
that there are many runners who are running to lose weight, to improve
their bodies, and to enjoy this wonderful sport? Do they ALL look
like Ryan Hall? No. That you would refer to anyone weighing more
than 200 pounds a Jabba the Hut disappoints and saddens me. I’ve lost
15 pounds in the last 10 weeks. I’m still 215 pounds. What I and
many of my fellow heavy runners need is encouragement and
understanding, and inclusion. Please don’t ridicule us more than we
ridicule ourselves each day…
I know a 300-pound guy who wants to lose weight and get healthier for
his daughter, to see her grow old. His goal is to run a 5k and is
being coached by an Ultra-marathoner. He inspires me, excites me about
our sport, and I wish to see him complete that 5K and lose his weight.
I will cheer him and share a tear when he does. I wonder how he would
feel to be called Jabba the Hut?
I’ll miss your columns and your wisdom. I’ll miss Running Times. (I
liked the magazine so much that I’d drive 14 miles to the local
bookstore and buy it faithfully each month) Then I subscribed to what
was supplanting Runners World as my favorite running mag. Your mag
wasn’t filled with fluff or articles that seemed to repeat themselves
every so often. You guys understood “real” running in a more serious
way, I thought.
That is, until today, when I canceled my brand new subscription to a
magazine that I thought understood runners–all runners, not just the
skinny ones.
Sincerely,
Gordon Harvey
Gordon finally gets a chance to record a new show and rambles about the importance of taking the long view of your running–and life in general. Don’t let your life be defined by a single event and don’t let your running be defined by a single run. Look at the long-term cycles. In other words, don’t obsess over that dying tree that sits in the middle of a beautiful forest you have created.
In the first of a series of interviews with Disney Podcasters who also run, Gordon interviews Nate Parrish of the excellent Wedway Radio podcast (www.wedwayradio.com) about running and Disney. Callers want to know if the food processor is okay after trying to make hummus out of uncooked chickpeas. And Gordon’s kids argue over legos.
Ran 110 miles in August. That’s the most in a month since last October and marathon training.
Disney has announced that this is the last year for both races. The text of their email follows:
“October 2009 is your last chance to run Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K & 3K andThe Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 13K and 5K! These races will not be returning in 2010.
That means it’s the last chance to earn medals for these events before they head into the Disney Race medal vault!
Run both the 10K and 13K, and you will also be awarded the Fall Race Challenge medal!Experience the taste and terror of Disney’s Endurance Series this fall and take home limited edition finisher medals and lasting memories!
Specially priced hotel rooms and theme park tickets are available for race participants, but you must book by September 10 to receive the special race rates. Visit Travel Details atdisneyraceforthetaste.com andtowerofterror13K.com for more information.
This fall, look for an upcoming announcement on future Disney races!”
I cannot tell you why, but last night when I saw this video of my children I started crying and couldn’t stop. Tears of happiness and bittersweet feelings, I suppose, and the realization that I have been so richly blessed with a great family. This was 6 years ago, when my oldest was 4 and my youngest was 2. Their appearance today is so much different (now 8 and 10). Sometimes I miss my babies.
This Running Life 