Looking for Title Suggestions for a Book on Running

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Ran 20 miles this morning. By myself. Turned into the lunatic who talks to themselves around mile 18, muttering, "Two more miles. I can do two more miles. C'mon, hang in there. One mile and 8/10's left. Don't quit." People gave me a wide berth. 

Driving home, Blair asked why I hadn't written anything for publication on my running. "You went from being a non-runner to qualifying for Boston in three and a half years," he said. "That would be inspirational to someone."

"Oh, sweetie," I said, love pouring out from my heart.

"Plus, it seems like you should be able to make some money on that," he finished.

Aaaaaand, the moment is over. 

Anyway, we came up with a few potential book titles for my as yet unwritten memoir on running: 

  • Obsessed (This was Blair's contribution)
  • I Lapped His Ass (my contribution)
  • How Running (Nearly) Destroyed My Marriage
  • Finding God at Mile 19
  • I'm Too Old For This Sh**
  • Greetings From Planet Badass (or is that "Dumbass?)
  • Head Up, Breath, Baby Steps: How Running Imitates Life

 Blair also suggested something like, "A Woman's Journey" which I vetoed for sounding too much like a tampon commercial. 

I'm now on the couch, feet up, and slightly bummed because all the books I'm reading right now are non-fiction and I'm really in the mood to curl up with a good story. I'll search the house but I'm pretty sure I've read everything here with the exception of some Agatha Christie novels and I'm just not that desperate. 

Let me know which title you think I should go with, or feel free to suggest one of your own. If I select your title, I'll mention you in my interviews on Oprah and The Today Show, if there's time before the commercial break. 

Go Green(s)!

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Citrus Collards With RaisinsDid you know greens are practically FREE?? I would have been eating greens years ago if anyone had told me how much money they would save me on my weekly grocery bill. This past week we spent $65 at Wal-Mart on groceries and maybe another $18 at Earth Fare. And our fridge is PACKED with food. (FYI for those not in the know: Greens are the big dark leafy things you pass in the produce aisle on your way to the cookies.)

After years of retching and gagging at the mere mention of things like "collards" and "chard," I actually tried some. Guess what? Delish! That is, if you bypass the good ol' southern method of boiling the hell out of them. (I'll never forget the first time I ate gray-green mush at my mother-in-law's home. Blair had to explain to me that the food was--in a previous life--broccoli.) I wish someone had told her a quick 3-5 minute simmer and wilt does the trick. 

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What Is Sexy?

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What Makes A Man Sexy?

  • Cleaning the house top to bottom, including dishes and laundry, while your spouse is away on a trip
  • Cuddling with the cats when you think no one is looking
  • Lying and saying that the vegan dish your wife spent 3 hours cooking is "really good" 
  • Going outside to shovel snow off your walk, then walking across the street to shovel the snow off your 80-year-old neighbor's walk as well
  • Having above average body temperature so giving you hugs is like snuggling up with a blanket warm out of the dryer
  • Saying "Those look great!" instead of "How much did those cost?" when your wife comes home with new shoes
  • Never saying "Yes," when asked, "Does this make me look fat?"
  • Bringing home an abandoned kitty
  • An oddball sense of humor
  • A willingness to share your dessert
  • Did I mention cuddling the cats?

If men only knew what really turns us on...!!

Using the Blog to Make Friends

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People sometimes ask me why I blog. I have no good answer. When I started this blog, oh so many years ago, the thought was that I would use it to promote my book, Lessons In Stalking. (See the promotional link? Subtle, yes?) The idea was I would write about my journey of book promotion. However, after the fifth, "I did a book signing. Three people showed up," entry, I decided a new focus was desperately needed. 

I started writing about daily life. Which is the worst possible thing you can do on a blog, according to the experts. It's the "No one cares you ate tuna fish for lunch," rule. Or in my case the, "No one cares you ran yet another mile. Stop the self-congratulating and go shower, already," rule. 

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