I know what you’re thinking- wow, you’re really losing it, Jenny. Today is TUESDAY. I know that- but I have a couple things I’m excited about coming up on Wednesday, so I thought I’d share.
First of all- I’m doing a long run. I said I was modifying my training, but this IS the modification. This run was originally scheduled for last Sunday, with another one scheduled next week. Instead I’m doing it tomorrow and that will be the last long run before my race.
It’s been two weeks since my last long run, and I’m excited to get out there again! I did a shorter run yesterday, and the hamstring felt… okay. I could feel it, but it wasn’t anything more than a vague ache. I’m hoping to get in 20+ miles tomorrow, and if the hamstring tells me to stop, I’ll go to the gym and finish up on the Stairmaster. Hopefully it won’t come to that, but if it does, I’m game. Either way I’m looking forward to a good, hard effort.
So what’s up for the rest of Wednesday? Well, I’ve been envying Stephany and her upcoming “reading retreat.” I want one of those! Then I realized… I can have a mini reading retreat of my own on Wednesday afternoon/evening!
My daughter will be gone (muahahahaha! She’ll be on a band trip to Universal). And, my husband will be working. After my long run, I can just curl up on the couch and read, read, read. I’m currently making my way through these tomes:
Resonance is a book mentioned in Oliver Burkeman’s Meditation for Mortals. When Burkeman talked about “resonance” it caught my attention, and I decided to read this book. Oof. So far I’ve read 26 pages, and I’m still in the introduction! But I’m fighting my way through. The basic idea seems to be that life is a matter of one’s relationship to the world- these relationships can be “successful” or “unsuccessful.” Once I get through the introduction, I’m excited to explore that concept.
Last year when I read Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy, many, many people recommended The Pillars of the Earth. One of my reading goals for this year is to read one long book a month, so this is my April book! I’m only on the second chapter, but I’m excited to read it.
Have you ever done a “reading retreat?”
What are you reading now?
Top photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
30 Responses
Good luck on your long run. I hope your hamstring gets it together.
I LOOOVED the Pillars of the Earth. I read it in English decades ago and then reread it in Spanish more recently. It is def a favorite of mine. I hope you enjoy it (if you loved the Century Trilogy I’d be very surprised to hear that you don’t like The Pillars of the Earth. I believe it’s still his best selling book?) Can’t wait to hear back on both the long run and the book. Gooood luuuuck!!!
Thank you Noemi! I read another chapter last night and I’m already totally into the book.
I love how you’re casually turning a Wednesday into a double feature: epic long run followed by a solo reading retreat—living the dream!
Fingers crossed the hamstring behaves (but kudos for having the Stairmaster on standby!).
I’m currently reading “Run Elite” by Andrew Snow to improve my training and… I feel more confused than ever. 😅
So many charts, plans, appendices—I’m regretting the Kindle version. It’s definitely one of those books that needs to be held in your hands (and a pencil for notes).
Yes, that is definitely the dream- a life made up of running and reading. And yes- it sounds like you DEFINITELY need a print copy of that book.
Your Wednesday is shaping up to be amazing, Jenny. I hope everything is wonderful – good weather on the trail, a hamstring that cooperates, and hours of uninterrupted reading time. The idea of a reading retreat is so neat – I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone doing this “officially” until Stephany. Brilliant!
I’m reading Everything I Ate In A Year (or something like that; too lazy to look up the official title) by Stanley Tucci. I really enjoyed his memoir Taste, and so far this is such a relaxing read…that also is making me HUNGRY. He loves food and it’s refreshing to read about someone who enjoys food so much and doesn’t struggle with body image (I mean, I think this is disproportionately true for men), etc. Food is wholly positive in his life and it’s a joy to read about his experiences.
Yes, I think that is definitely more of a male thing. But the book sounds good! It would for sure make me hungry though.
Happy Reading Retreat tomorrow! Happy long run day today!
I can’t wait to hear if you like POTE… I honestly think I picked up a lot about the origins of words and idioms from that book.
I think I’m going to love it! I’ve only read a couple chapters but it’s already so good.
The closest that I’ve done to a reading retreat is when we go on vacation to the beach. I love to park myself under a beach umbrella with a book. Of course I take breaks to swim and wander around on the beach.
It’s not to early to make the call that it’s Wednesday. I used to look forward to my long runs so much. Basically they started with the anticipation, then there was the run, and then there was the relaxing afterwards. Enjoy your 20!
I’ll definitely need some breaks- maybe I’ll schedule breaks to go for a walk or something. Otherwise I’ll be stiff as a board if I sit on the couch all afternoon. A beach reading retreat sounds wonderful!
Good luck with your long run! I hope your hamstring holds up well!! A reading retreat sounds delightful. I would love to do one when the kids are older! What I really want to do is attend the reader retreat at this bookstore in Thomasville, GA called ‘The Bookshelf’. The owner hosts them 3-4 times/year and they sound amazing! But it’s hard to think about taking more time away from the kids on top of work travel. So that will have to wait.
I am reading a romance called ‘A Love Song for Ricki Wilde’. I liked the author’s first book. This one isn’t quite as successful but still worth sticking with. It seems to have a magical realism aspect which is something I don’t care for in books but I am giving it a chance.
I went to the website for The Bookshelf- the reading retreat sounds FUN! It’s can be something on your list for the future.
I am also envious of Stephany’s reading retreat! I mean, not like I can’t just read for a few hours around here, but it feels so luxurious to actually be in a place on your own to just read!
I’m reading a little book called Foster, and it’s very moving.
I know- I would love to be able to go somewhere for a couple days for a reading retreat. But, the next best thing is having the house to myself!
I hope your long run goes well and your hamstring doesn’t cause you problems! It’s so exciting that this is your last long run before the race — that always makes it feel more real for me when I get to that point in training!
Yes, it’s definitely feeling real! I just went through and read the runner handbook to get an idea of how far apart the aid stations are and all sorts of details like that. It will definitely be “easier” than the 50 mile I attempted last year- more aid stations and chances to see your drop bags.
Good luck with the long run. I’m marveling at how you are excited for it, but then if you are a person who runs that far I guess you’d have to be excited for it.
I have not done a reading retreat, but long flights or audio books on long drives when I’m driving solo feel like the closest thing. I read most of my book, The Rose Code, on my drive to Omaha/flight to Italy. Curling up on the coach after your long run sounds ideal. I hope the hamstring behaves.
Thanks Ernie! Good point- if a person is going to run 20 miles, they better be excited about it.
I don’t do audio books (although that’s one of my reading goals for this year- read at least ONE audio book!) I can see how a long car ride could be considered a “reading retreat” with an audiobook.
Oh, I am wishing you all the luck with your long run! It’s going to be GREAT.
I consider Sunday mornings my reading retreats. Most Sundays after I walk the dog and eat breakfast, I have HOURS where I can just sit and read. Occasionally I’ll get dressed and start laundry while I’m reading, but I think of those hours on Sunday morning as sacred and they should be protected. I get a bit grumpy when I can’t do them (think: Easter Sunday coming up!).
I’m currently reading a historical fiction novel for my book club that is suuuper boring (and long), Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green (good, but Green’s constant making it about himself drives me bonkers), and a fantasy book as my light reading on my Kindle. I still have hundreds of pages of that historical fiction book to read before Sunday, though, so I guess that’s going to have to be my priority.
Ugh. Could you skim that book? I mean, life is too short.
Your Sunday “reading retreats” sound amazing.
Good luck. I hope the run goes well.
I just finish Blue Sisters. It was ok. A little too much dysfunction.
I’m starting the new Jojo Moyes book.
Thank you Darlene! I read one book by Jojo Moyes and really liked it- Me Before You. I’ve heard her other books aren’t as good though? You’ll have to let me know.
I hope you have a wonderful run, and that you come out of it feeling great, and your hamstring behaves. I think it will be PERFECT.
I didn’t love Pillars of the Earth. I liked it enough to stick with it, but I would have been happier if it had been much shorter. I know everyone else LOVES it though, so I guess it’s a case of something for everyone.
Enjoy your afternoon of reading and (I assume) tea!
Thank you Julie! I’ll let you know what I think of Pillars. It is a looooong book. And oh yes… there will be tea involved.
YAY! I hope your reading retreat went AMAZING today. I am here at the VRBO and have logged 1 hour of reading time, ha. Tomorrow and Friday will be my big days of reading a TON. I brought WAY TOO MANY BOOKS, but I wanted to have options!
HAVE FUN!!!!!!! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
I hope the long run went well! A “reading retreat” sounds so fun, right? It’s something I’m hoping to carry into my life when I’m out and about again. That’s a lengthy introduction… I hope you made it through and the book is resonating!!
Lindsay, this book is DENSE. Luckily I have Pillars to counterbalance it. I need something fun to read.
A reading retreat sounds lovely and while a whole weekend sounds fantastic, a mini-retreat (afternoon) is wonderful too.
I hope your long run went great today!
I am also very much intrigued by a reading retreat and I think I need to plan one at the country home this Summer. We’ll see.
I am loving the Kingsbridge Saga and Pillars of the earth is on my forever top 5 books. Hope you will enjoy it.
Hope your long run went well. I guess I will just have to read and catch up and I’ll know.