THE BIKE STORY

This post was originally written as a personal essay for the Writing for Magazines class at Augustana. Today, May 1, marks the beginning of National Bike Month. I smelled like donuts. The frying oil had condensed on my skin, clumped in my hair, snuck up my nose. It was all-encompassing. But there was no time

PASSING THROUGH THE FIRE

This Easter weekend, running and mountains are taking the backseat as I discuss my favorite passage from The Bible instead. “Everything that can withstand fire shall be passed through fire.” Numbers 31:23 There is nothing remarkable about Numbers 31:23. This partial passage is indifferent, the words merely stating a law. Purity was an important part

THE ALLURE OF THE TRAILS

Forty-seven people. Some biked. Some ran. Others hiked. In the 32 minutes I was on the trails for my Wednesday morning run, I passed 47 other trail-goers (yes, I counted). It was, if I had to guess, about average, if not less crowded than normal. On my other runs the previous day and over the

SOLO TRACKS

With sweat dripping from my temple, sun beating on my face, and lungs constricting from the strain of the workout, there was one thought in my mind: wow, I wish I had someone here to pull me along. But I didn’t. So, I slogged — although that may be misleading, as I did in fact

LIFE’S STAND-STILL

The landscape weaves together outside my window: the dogwood and redbud trees of northern Mississippi blurring together, the water droplets flinging themselves from the car, remnants of the downpour we drove through 15 minutes ago. It’s 3:30 on a Monday afternoon, and I should barely be getting done with class. Instead, I’m 850 miles away,

INSPIRATION FROM ALL SIDES

The Olympic Trials. Conference championships for NCAA schools. The BU Last Chance Track Meet. I could be missing a few, but the point is, running had some major events this past weekend. And that’s exciting — I love following all things running, especially hearing about fellow runners crushing it. It gives me new goals to

THE (PLURAL) POWER OF TEAM

So far this season, I’ve been a part of a powerful sea of yellow charging towards the finish line twice. Both times, surrounded by that wave of women, I’ve raced to my fastest times ever. Others have too. Our coach, Scott Tanis, told us before the season even began that he wanted to put more

CARVING OUT A SPACE

Technically, there is a universal definition for home. Dictionary.com defines it as “a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household. Merriam-Webster calls it “one’s place of residence.” Those are the brick-and-mortar types of homes, though — the buildings. They don’t get at the essence of home,