You know you're an aging runner when you regularly start rolling your strained muscles out on one of

these.

The Kennedy Detail

So the other day I was cleaning out under my side of the bed and, lo and behold, there was an unread copy of The Kennedy Detail. I can't even remember buying it, so who knows how long it sat there, but it's got the $4.99 sticker on it that identifies it as being from the bargain bin at Barnes and Noble or Borders. So, to recap...book I don't remember buying off of a bargain rack which has lived unread under the bed for who knows how long. Yep, only place to go is up.

Turned out to be an entertaining read for me. How much do you know about the Secret Service? I knew nothing other than Clint Eastwood's experience from that one movie. You know, the one where he growls to a would-be assassin the immortal line: "you've got a rendezvous with my ass."

But I digress...here were a couple of things that stood out to me about the Secret Service agents who worked on the Kennedy team:

1. They worked in a constant tension between politics and protection. What's the safest way for the president to get to the lunch meeting? How about a motorcade on an unannounced route?!? No chance. No, it had to be in an open-top limo on a pre-announced route. Or, tragically, it was JFK himself who voted down the notion of agents riding on the read bumper of the limo, because it wouldn't look right. Who knows, having Clint Hill on the bumper instead of on the follow car might have saved the president's life.

2. Those guys were way overworked. And the department was underfunded. Imagine being one of these guys. You haven't seen your kids in weeks because the president has been traveling. You just switched from days to nights. And you're sitting at your post, at night, hungry, trying to guard the president's mansion on next to no sleep. Some adjectives to describe these guys? Strong. Determined. Committed. Devoted.

3. Oswald's bullet didn't just kill the president. Or Jackie. Or the Kennedys. Or the nation as a whole. That bullet decimated his protectors. I mean, there was nothing they could really do to stop the assassination. The shooter had all of the advantages that day. And yet these guys have lived the rest of their lives with guilt and shame. What a thankless job, right?  You do your job with consistent excellence for years, day in and day out, and then one unstoppable action and you get reamed in the press. That's a rough go. 

Anyhow, put me down for 7 books down here at the end of January. Gotta figure out what's next!

True Grit

In the end, I was sad to have to put True Grit down. What a terrific story and what an innovative piece of literature.  And how about that Mattie Ross?!? At once gritty, savvy, courageous, witty, bull-headed, impulsive and vulnerable, author Charles Portis' heroine is the star of the show. I mean, I'm tempted to say that I'd love for my girls to wind up like Mattie, but that might fall into the category of "be careful what you wish for."

In other news, True Grit puts me at 5 books thusfar in 2012, with (no kidding) another 4 in process for my Fuller class. Bring it on 52!

Someone asked me today if I have a favorite child.

I do. This one:

Blink

In Blink, Malcolm Gladwell is trying convince the reader of three things, namely (and I quote):

1. "Decisions made very quickly can be every bit as good as decisions make cautiously and deliberately." (p. 14)
2. "It is possible to learn when to listen to that powerful onboard computer and when to be wary of it." (p. 15)
3. "Our snap judgments and first impressions can be educated and controlled." (p. 15)

And, really, to be true to Gladwell, I should just stop this book review right now. You have more than enough information to tell you what you need to know about the book!

Because that's the thing about Blink. We make snap judgements, or rapid cognitions, literally in the--wait for it--blink of an eye. And reading the book, you realize how true that really is. The applications of that reality, then, are numerous. Consider first impressions.

According to Gladwell, first impressions can fall prey to something he dubs "The Warren Harding error." That is, we make judgements based on superficial realities that have little to do with what's actually true about a person. In Harding's case, the dude was elected to higher office time and again, eventually achieving the presidency itself, in spite of the fact that he was a mess of a politician. For example, here's a quote about Harding's oratorial skills (or lack thereof): "an army of pompous phrases moving over the landscape in search of an idea." At the end of the day, Harding was a terrible president, but he was blessed to be born looking presidential.

For Gladwell, then, "The Warren Harding error is the dark side or rapid cognition. It is at the root of a good deal of prejudice and discrimination." As a white person, why is my first instinct to move to the side of the sidewalk when a black man comes my way? The Warren Harding error. Or when I'm cut off in my car, why do I blurt out "come on LADY!" The Warren Harding error.

So what's the antidote? According to Blink, you train your subconscious to make different snap decisions. In one study, participants gave their first impressions of black people. They were generally negative. Then, they were asked to spend time reading brief biographies of black heroes. Then, when they were asked to submit to a second test, their impressions were definitively more positive then during the prior test. In other words, a spontaneous response can, almost counter-intuitively, be controlled.

It's not all that cut and dried, of course. In one passage, Gladwell notes that people have a bias that values height. The argument goes like this: taller people make better impressions and therefore get better (and better paying) jobs. He writes, "an inch of height is worth $789 a year in salary. That means that a person who is six feet tall but otherwise identical to someone who is five foot five will make on average $5,525 more per year."

Just sayin', at 6' 5" I must be doing something wrong!

This'll spice up the ol' blog a bit!

The "jog strap." Only from Jimmy Fallon.

So over Christmas break I wandered into a store that I'd never been to before. Sitting on a bench and looking to my left, I saw this:

Yep, we live in Clovis...

Overheard on the walk home...

Me: "So, kids, how were your days?"

Lucy:  "There was a cow at school! Josh, did you see the cow at school?!?"

Josh: "Oh, man, yes I did! It was awesome. This girl got to milk the cow and it squirted everywhere. It just came right out...out of her bottom."

Gah.

On Hallowed Ground

You know how Borders, er, Barnes and Noble has those "value books" racks near the doors? The ones where you can buy big, ol' hardcovers for like $5.99? I love the eclectic collections on those racks, anything from a photo journal of America's National Parks to the collected works of Edgar Allan Poe. Beautiful.

It turns out that the Kindle has a virtual version of the bargain book rack, called "100 books for $3.99 or less." So this weekend, having finished the reading for the first week of my Fuller class and before I started in on week 2's syllabus, I plunked down my virtual $3.99 and bought On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery, thus reaffirming my history major status.

Did you know...

...that before JFK was buried at Arlington, the cemetery saw 2 million visitors per year? After he was laid to rest onsite, the number jumped to 7 million.

...that Arlington was originally the family estate of Robert E. Lee, Confederate general? 

...that the Union military brass positioned the graves of dead soldiers in Mary Lee's flower garden in an effort to make the estate unlivable should the Lees get title back?

...that initial plans called for the Pentagon to be built on the grounds?

...that the Unknown Soldier from Vietnam was eventually disinterred and identified? In fact, forensic science has made it such that there will very likely never be another Unknown Soldier again. Further, the story of the Vietnam Unknown's burial is in large part the story of a government rushing to assuage the public's angst about an unpopular war.

...that for 150 years of armed conflict, this country has done an amazingly thorough job of caring for its war dead? For me that was the most impressive thing about the story of Arlington, that from the grisly efforts at repatriation to the solemn and practiced burial ceremony itself, the dead have for years been cherished and revered in this country.

Last thing...On Hallowed Ground is the perfect Kindle book for me. For one thing, I don't think I'll be need to refer to it again (it's not like I'm writing a paper or anything). Next, I also don't think I'll be re-reading it (it was interesting but not that interesting). Finally, I very likely won't be loaning it out (judging from the look of consternation that I received from someone I mentioned the book to, it's probably going to need to be content sitting in the archives on my Kindle!).

On gender and running

Milestone

This is my 800th blog post. Let's party! Join me in reading each post, out-loud, from the busiest street corner you can find!

Or, gimme a day or two and read 801. Your choice.

Marriage Stages

So we just got back today from an InterVarsity Marriage and Ministry weekend retreat down in Ventura. Wow. So good. God used the time to really help Amy and I appreciate how solid, vibrant and just plain fun our marriage is as it nears the 15 year mark in August. We left the time strengthened and "on the same page." Thanks to our "staff elders" for making it happen, and for Grandma and Grandpa for watching the kids and keeping the home fires burning.

Tossed in amongst the reflection times, breakout conversations about the dynamics of marriage and ministry and table group times where we compared notes about parenting, sex, schedule and conflict resolution was a presentation on stages in marriage. Amy and I found it super helpful. In this post, with a nod to the creativity and wisdom of presenters Bob and Kendra Green, I'll share my notes on the content, and then sometime soon I'll offer our take on our journey through the stages. 

Stage 1: Adventure: "I can't get enough of you"

In this first stage, it's all new, and, by and large, it's all fun. Marriage is an adventure, with new discoveries daily. 

Stage 2: Reality: "Who are you?"

At some point, you start discovering things that you did not know about your spouse and you're maybe less than thrilled about those things. Also, some of the things that attracted you in the adventure stage now start to bug. Perhaps there is disappointment that marriage is not all that you thought it would be. 

Stage 3: Partnering: "How does this work?"

Kids, jobs, a house...life starts to get full and couples begin to wonder how (or maybe if) it all works. As a couple you start to face bigger decisions with significant consequences. This can be an exhausting stage. When it comes to the sexual arena, this is the season where sex is infrequent and when it happens, it's done quickly and behind a locked door!

Stage 4: Acceptance: "Is it me or are you getting better?"

The couple arrives at a place where, in general, faults can be overlooked and differences can be appreciated. You stop trying to change each other. This is the season for watching the kids grow up, for maturing together and for going with the flow. 

Stage 5: Togetherness: "How will we get through this?"

This is the stage where the kids are getting launched, the parents are getting older and you begin experiencing physical limits. Often in this phase, there can be career/role changes, and sometimes the man declines in terms of role and vocational prominence while the woman ascends. 

Stage 6: Contentment: "Anything, as long as it's with you"

This is the land of hobbies, retirement and grandkids. Can't wait for this one!

Whaddya think?!? Seem right to you?

The Tipping Point

So let me just come out and say it. I didn't like Gladwell's The Tipping Point as much as I liked Outliers. There, that's better.

Don't get me wrong, there was still lots to love about The Tipping Point. As with Outliers, it's fascinating to me how Gladwell is able to break down a seemingly utterly organic process, this time with the word-of-mouth, spreading-of-whatever process. I mean, he's really, really good at that.

In particular, I appreciated how Gladwell parsed what he calls The Law of the Few, where he articulates how a few people can make a big difference when it comes to the spreading of an idea, thought, trend, etc. You've got the Mavens, sort of the arbiters of cool. Then you've got the Connectors, the virus-spreaders whose relational networks become the conduits of transmission. Then you've got the salesmen, the persuaders who can convince the percentage of folks who need some convincing.

In the subtitle of The Tipping Point is the phrase "how little things make a big difference." And I think that's really the main point of this one. Little, strategic, well-thought-out inputs in the right places at the right times can effect legit and helpful change. This has me thinking about InterVarsity chapters. For instance, what would "tip" a chapter from the 60 person barrier to numeric breakthrough? Or, what little inputs could help the evangelism value go viral in a community? Things like that.

Here's the hope: "In the end, Tipping Points are a reaffirmation of the potential for change and the power of intelligent action." May it be so.

So why did I like Outliers better? Was it because Outliers was just so good that The Tipping Point never had a chance? Was it that the passages in The Tipping Point seemed longer and the stories just a touch drier? Was it that Fuller is starting and I couldn't read at will? Or, perhaps (and heaven forbid!), was it because I read The Tipping Point on the Kindle?!?

Not sure. But I do know that I liked it enough to someday try Blink. Thanks again Gladwell.

Whatever works...

On reading

I've always liked to read, our children are voracious readers, and I'm married to an author. Because of these three things, you might think that I'm someone who always has a book in hand. 

Alas, if you think that, you'd be wrong. In fact, up until our 2008 sabbatical, my reading was at best sporadic. Why is that? I'd like to blame it on the diaper haze, or maybe on the demands of ministry, but the plain truth is that I just didn't make space for it. Sure, I'd toss in the odd Cussler, Crichton or Grisham, but can you really call that reading?!?

So, coming off of sabbatical, I made it a goal to read a book a week in 2009. Didn't make it. I aimed for 2010. Didn't make that either. Enter 2011, and though I didn't make my 52, I did come the closest yet with 36. Looking at my list, it's quite the potpourri. A bunch of Fuller Seminary books mixed in with some fun fiction in between quarters, blended with a smattering of spiritual reads. I like the selection, now I just need to squeeze in 16 more in 2012. Wish me luck.

The good news is that I'm off to good start. First, I got this baby for Christmas, and on it I'm halfway through Gladwell's The Tipping Point. I'm also maybe a third into Being White by Doug Schaupp, and, with another Fuller quarter starting tomorrow, I'm about to pick up Connecting by Stanley and Clinton. That's the makings of a good start to 2012 right there!

Tonight on the drive home Amy invited me to join her in a year-long quest to read each and every Newbery award winner. Keep in mind that the Newbery was first given out in 1922 (here's the list). That means if I take on and survive the challenge, I'll need a much bigger goal for 2013!

2011 Running Year in Review

It's a New Year's Day tradition! Turns out that 2011 was a tough year on the roads and trails. Here's the tale of the tape:

Total miles run: 531.04. That's the lowest in the last three years and just over half of what I was shooting for.

Average miles/month: 44.25. Biggest month was June 87.46, thanks to the amazing trails of south Denver! Leanest month was December with 11.5, and then I had two other months at 17. Too many injuries!

Total days run: 122 days, down from 166 last year. That's only 33% of the days in 2011. I'd love to be closer to 50%. 

Average run length: 4.35, which as with last year seems high. My memory is full of lots of 3ish milers.

Longest run: I only managed 3 runs over 10 miles, so for my longest run put me down for 13.18 at the Fresno/Clovis half on November 6th.

Shortest run: Twice in 2011, I started a race but only finished a mile, at the Blossom Trail 10K in March and then at the Resurrection 5K in April. Both times the culprit was my right calf. 

Races: I registered for 6 races this year, started 4 and finished 2ish. "Ish" because I had to walk the last 5 miles of May's California Classic half. Did not make it to a marathon this year, breaking my modest two year streak. Best/only racing success? That would be the 1:44 I ran in the Fresno/Clovis half.

Injuries: I'm alternating years at this point. 08 was good, 09 stunk, 10 was good, 11 was miserable. In particular, I struggled all year with a tender right calf and I spent the last 6 months nursing a sore right knee. Biggest hope for 2011 is for running HEALTH!

Places: Best thing about running is the variety of places you can do it in (running with buddies is a very close second in my book!). 2011 was terrific that way once again. Put me down for: St. Louis (ran from Missouri to Illinois and back), Monterrey, Bako, SLO, Encinitas, Vega$, south Denver, Ventura, Claremont and, just two days ago, in Clayton. 

So happy new years! I'm going to celebrate with 4ish miles around Carmichael.