When you’re just starting your writing journey, it’s easy to feel like the world is working against you. Thousands of creators are vying for the same piece of the pie you’re after. If they get it? Well, that leaves less for you, which means you’ll need to work even harder to get what’s yours.

Or does it?

I started writing professionally about a year ago. Over the past twelve months, besides just writing, I’ve spent a lot of time reading what others have to say about writing and marketing. I’ve met numerous people who have been more than willing to…

I like to have a goal race. On the days I’m struggling to get my running shoes on, my goal is there yelling at me, telling me to quit being lazy and to get out there and get it done. I don’t mind cranking out a few miles with no end goal in sight, but having one drives me to work harder and be more consistent.

The racing season won’t start here until April. There are a few frosty 5ks in fall and winter, but in November I suddenly got it into my head that I wanted to go long…

When you post anything online, you risk having your work stolen. Unfortunately, it’s part of the world we live in. Good content costs money and, rather than paying for it or producing it themselves, some lowlifes are willing to skim content from reputable websites, package it as their own, and try to make a few bucks on the backs of hardworking writers without breaking a sweat.

Some of the more popular writers on this platform have written about their content being stolen repeatedly, but it had never happened to me. Until this month.

The editor at Runner’s Life, Jeff Barton…

What if I told you that you could spend an hour this weekend doing something that would entertain you, teach you something, benefit science, improve your mental health, AND you don’t even need to leave the house?

I’ve always been fascinated by birds. The unique ways they build their nests and raise their young is interesting to me, not to mention the miracle of flight and the different ways they approach it. The fact that they can survive brutal winters and sing their hearts out each morning, despite temperatures far below freezing, is endearing and mysterious.

A month ago, in…

Running doesn’t require much in the way of specialized gear. Any pair of shorts will do, and as long as your body is comfortable it doesn’t much matter what else you wear. With shoes, though, there’s an art to finding that perfect fit.

I’ve always been pretty serious about my shoes. I try to limit mileage on each pair and get a fresh one after the recommended 400 to 500 miles are pounded out. My closet is a graveyard of used-but-still-useful running shoes, and I’ve donated several pairs as well. They’re still fine to wear after the mileage is expired…

I’m an American, and the only reason I have a vague idea of how far a kilometer is is because I’m also a runner.

I learned quickly how far a few common distances are in both kilometers and miles. A 5K is about 3.1 miles, a 10k is about 6.2 miles, a half marathon is about 21 km and a full marathon is about 42 km. These are common race distances all over the world. You might see the odd 5 or 10-mile race distance thrown in there, but all in all, Americans also prefer to race in metric.

Alternately…

Quiet, unassuming, no one knows
The thoughts he has beneath the flows
Under the surface, under the sun
Cool depths shield him from the “fun”
Inflicted by well-meaning souls
Who can’t see past the end of their nose.
The pressure of outside keeps him in
And when he’s “freed” his pain begins.
The ugliest creature beneath the sea
Was once a normal-looking fish indeed:
Pulled out of his shell, too late to retreat,
Teased mercilessly until defeat
Melts him into a blob of fish. …

HUMOR

I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf. While in the past, I’ve spoken about my inability to use Twitter as well as my lack of fashion sense, the time has come to embrace my new calling.

A new follower on Twitter was kind enough to announce my new career as a budding freelance fashion designer.