I recently took a course in feature writing through Gotham Workshop. It was an excellent online class that I would highly recommend. In one the lectures, the professor asked us to type out a passage from a favorite piece of literature and then had us write what lesson could be learned from the author. When he commented on my homework, he revealed that the ultimate goal was to learn to read good writing because your writing will only ever be as good as what you read. Interesting.
Being a writer, I read a lot. I always have. I love reading other blogs, online newspapers and magazines and good old fashioned books. Ok, so I read them electronically, whatever. The point is now I’m a little more discerning with what I read or how much time I spend reading crap. Now, let’s not confuse reading about crap (Lena Dunham Poses in Sports Bra, Small Pants Encourages Women to Be “Strong and Happy”) with actual bad writing because there’s a huge difference.
Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite readings lately. I tried to break them down into neat little categories because it suits my Type A so you can find what you like and leave the rest. Think of this as a corner of your favorite library without the late fees.
WOMEN’S MOVEMENT (relax guys, I just mean women that move!)
– – >Team SCA: The first professional all-female team to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race! I first read about them on You Signed Up for What? and then followed their blog as they sailed their way around the world.
And I’m afraid of open water swimming? Sheesh.
– – >Rhonda Rousey: UFC Women’s Fighting Champion of the friggin’ world. She also posed for Sports Iilustrated’s Swimsuit Issue and said she “gained weight” for it. A badass in very way. Be inspired.
– – >Who Run The World? Pffff WOMEN, in particular, these women who are also race directors of some very big races. I want to be them when I grow up.
This is how Rhonda Rousey looks when she gains weight.
WHY THEY CREATED MOTHER’S & FATHER’S DAY
– – > Bon Bon Break: Shameless plug for my honest (what else would it be?) post about the reality of being pregnant with, and then raising, twins. Laugh at me or with me, as long as you’re laughing.
– – > 7 Things I’d Never Let My Children Do: Until I had actual real-life, messy, crazy, 24 hours a day 365 days a year children. They are completely unlike the children I had in my head. The list, written by a dad, includes several things I’ve already caved on including play video games, eat McDonald’s and dress like “mismatched hobos.”
SWIM | BIKE | RUN
– – > Not Your Typical Run: Another shameless plug to my recent Zelle article on Aqua Jogging and the hard learned lessons in the pool, plus some tips on how to do it properly by Runner’s Connect. See? I’m not completely selfish.
– – >2015 Alcatraz Swim: My friend swam Alcatraz. I have some very cool friends. Please note: I will NOT be doing this when I’m in San Francisco.
This picture kind of makes me want to do this. The question is how many wetsuits would I need to layer to make the water temp tolerable?
SHIT THAT MAKES ME LAUGH
– – > The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F**k by Mark Mason nicely outlines the craft of aggressively not caring, and reserving all your f–ks for when you need them most. I highly suggest taking the man’s advice.
As a bonus read, I found out that I actually placed first in my age group and third in the female masters category in the NJ Marathon! My hair dresser asked me how close I was to the first place female when I told her I came in second. Imagine my surprise (and hers!) when I looked it up and found I actually came in first! #BigTipForHer
My best guess on the mix up is because it was a corral/staggered start. I was about three minutes off the gun time and the woman I beat must have been in a corral higher then me. We were only 12 seconds apart finishing, so I can see how it may have originally seemed that she took first.
They’re sending me prizes.
Did I tell you how much I’m loving 40? Read all about it.
What do you mostly read? Books? Blogs? My blog?
What’s your favorite reading genre?
You may be sidelined but I’d say all this goes a long way toward soothing that sore, no? Great stuff, Allie! And love reading about all these strong ladies. That’s the kind of stuff I want my daughter to hear about/aspire to do!
Have a great weekend!
Oh yes it does!!! Thanks Amanda and have so much fun at your half!
That sounds like a great course. I am going to check it out this weekend. 🙂 Enjoy the weekend!
They offer so many. This was the second one I’ve taken and both were valuable. Good luck!
That course sounds really interesting! I’m not a professional blogger (well until blogging makes me millions…) but I bet it would benefit anyone!
Congrats on finding out you actually received first in your age group! That is so exciting!
The article about not giving an F had me laughing for a while. Thank you for sharing.
It was beneficial just for freelancing and writing more in-depth articles, pitches, etc.
I’m glad you enjoyed the “F” article as much as I did 🙂
Loved hearing about this course and I do love to read books first and foremost – always have, especially all types of fiction. But in the last few years, I have of course added blog reading and still enjoy magazine reading, as well.
Isn’t it funny how reading blogs takes up so much time? I absolutely love it but I can definitely get caught up and forget what time it is!
Woohoo to 1st place! As a fellow twin mama, you know I loved your piece for Bon Bon Break. Every part is so true!
Thanks Angela! You never know…there are some twin moms out there who think it’s all hearts and rainbows. I would love to meet their kids!
I love my books too!! I am currently reading my first ever running book “a race like no other” which has been recommended to me dozens of time by prior NYC marathon runners so I finally got it right before training! I wanna read the race director book and the book that written about not giving any effs?? I think I could have written than book. I am the QUEEN of not giving an eff!! Lol!!!
What a nice surprise that you placed first in your division!! New age group FTW! Literally hahaha have a great weekend!!
Seriously!!! Thanks Nellie and, just so you know and can plan accordingly, these are all links to articles. Quick reads you can easily do on your commute 🙂 GOOD LUCK at the Brooklyn Half!!! I will be cheering from here!!!
I have given in to SO much already and my child is not yet six months old!
Don’t give a pacifier before one month- I caved at 3 weeks
Breastfeed your child until they basically go to college- I am down to just one feeding a day and the rest are formula. I made it 4 months.
Don’t let your infant watch tv- Yes but what if I need to shower because we are going out and he will not stop crying!?
Don’t let your child sleep on their stomach- I rolled him over for weeks and it just woke him up. Kid wants to sleep on his stomach.
Are you calling social services yet?
I’m applauding you for doing what works for YOU and HIM. That is literally all you can do! Trust me, I had many of the same ideas before the boys came and it’s not our fault. You cannot possibly know how desperate for a break you will be when sleep deprived and overworked. And, just to make you feel better, I only breastfed for 3 weeks. You are a rock star in my book! Keep doing what works and you will all be happy 🙂
Whooo hooo! 1st in age group, happy birthday to you! Hope you have a great weekend Allie!
Thanks Sue! It was a great gift!!
Congratulations on everything! Love your piece at BonBon Break!
Thanks so much Alison!!
Hello?! Of course your blog :). I feel like I only have time (and the attention span) to read in broken chunks of time. I like to read it all, just little bits at a time. Blogs, articles, books. At any given time I will have several articles and blogs pulled up on my computer screen at once.
1st place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PRIZES?! Even better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love getting race prizes….I was about 35 seconds off of getting a $25 gift card in my last race…bummer!
I know how you feel! I always have a few windows open with different reads and I’m lucky to make it through just a few.
I was seriously so happy about the placing. It definitely helps make me feel better about my overall time. Money prizes are the best! I’ve only ever had two but it makes you feel like an elite…even if it’s “only” $25 🙂
I have only had a few too, but I’ll take whatever :)!!!
I have actually had 2 where I won $100 and they were a smallish 5k!!!!!!
WOW! That is awesome. You should definitely race those again!!
Congrats on being first in your age group especially in that race! Right now I read mostly blogs. When given a bunch of downtime I like to read books and my running/fitness magazines.
Thanks Kris! And yes, blog reading alone can take a good chunk of time but so many good reads!
I try to read at least a book a month, and then read several blogs and lots of online articles on zelle and women’s running…. I think when you start writing, it automatically makes you start reading differently, and it makes you listen differently/better as well.
I read a mix of fiction and non-fiction….this past month I read Kelly Corrigan’s Glitter and Glue and last night finished Dean’s Confessions of an All-Night Runner….this month both happened to be non-fiction. Dean’s book….WOW! I’ll never groan in pain on a run again (well, maybe not never)
I read Marathon Man and it was so inspiring. I also read Glitter and Glue and really enjoyed that as well. I think you’re right on about the reading/writing connection. I like doing both almost as much as running 🙂
I love all the shameless plugs! You’re a super talented writer- definitely keep us posted with your articles, so awesome!
And first is such a fun surprise! What do you think you won?
Hahaha – thanks for that Laura!
I have no clue. There’s nothing about what the prizes actually are on the site so…I hope it’s nothing related to Bruce Springsteen 🙂
ok my level of LIKE for you just skyrocketed, lol. WOW and Yes and amen to all that. that gotham workshop sounds amazing! i used to totally nerd out on writing… clearly that was eons ago; almost majored in english lit in school but changed to business. oh well, that’s what i love about blogging and reading them. it’s certainly tapping that juice and flow again 🙂
holy crap i read those articles about the ultimate fighter chick, she’s amazing!!!! wow i just love her attitude, at least what’s been written. i was in martial arts for many years before i had back surgery and totally get that ‘world’ – it takes balls of steel doing what she’s doing, i love it.
the article by mark manson is genius – it reminds me of one of my FAVORITE articles from last year: http://roglawfitness.com/the-unbearable-lightness-of-not-giving-a-fuck/
i hope you check it out, i love rog’s writing… there are so many well written blogs out there that appeal to my varying moods and interests. i happen to love witty humor and am not easily offended.
reading for me right now? well i always seem to have some health/nutrition/fitness books that i will browse through, then for recreation i will read some light novels. i went through the brit-chicklet book phase many years ago and still read them as leftovers and for just some lightweight humor. i love humor and romance. i also like self improvement books since that’s an ongoing thing, right?
anyhow, just love this post. thank you and congrats on being such a badass woman.
OMG I’m so glad!!!
I’m definitely checking out the article you linked to – can’t wait!
If you love witty humor and are not easily offended then we will be besties.
Self improvement = life long journey
i hope you check out rog’s article, it still has me in stitches. i’ve been reading mark manson’s stuff just now and omg LOVE it!!!!! i’m now a huge fan, that quick. it’s real.
i just wrote a short post as a sort of ‘good luck’ to the IMTX athletes racing tomorrow. if you have time it’s sort of sharing where i was a year ago with tri world and where i am and hope to be 🙂
your posts have always inspired me new heights, while i was training and now just because i like your style.
happy friday!
I just did both. I loved Rog’s article and was similar but geared toward fitness goals which is perfection! I also LOVED your post on facing down your fears in IM. You are a badass my friend. Thank you for sharing!!
I love reading and writing– definitely going to check out the course you are taking. I read mostly blogs. I tell you, it’s tough, I only have so much time and I often times feel obligated to read blogs instead of wanting to read them. Is that awful? I do however, pick up either really easy reads, or short stories and there is some wonderful authors out there. I love reading the classics with my children. I am reading the, “The Little Princess” to my daughter right now. It’s an interesting story that has a nice message about being classy and kind no matter what your circumstances. I had never read it before, so having kids has opened the doors to some classic, new and interesting authors.
That is great about reading to your daughter and yes, kids open up a whole new world and sometimes in very surprising ways! I can’t wait until I can read some more “mature” books to my kids. Thanks Lisa!
See that. I warned that you 40 would be awesome!
Yes you did! Luckily I was prepared because of you. THANKS!
I am a master at that suitable art, lol! Great shares!
I can see that about you!! HAHAHA Love it!!
Haha! Currently I mostly read blogs, and training books or inspirational reads. I love reading your blog and how awesome is it that you rocked a first place finish in your marathon!!! So cool!
Thank you!! Blog reading is reading some of the best writing, not to mention the friends you gain. It’s a win/win 🙂
Loved these articles! The one on race directors is so inspiring! Loved your aqua jogging article for Zelle (nice!!) and Scary Mommy is a hoot! Thanks for sharing all of these! Congrats on grabbing 1st place in your race! You are rocking it!!!
Thank you so much! I loved that one on all the female race directors and I had never really thought about it until it came to my attention. Woot woot!!
Have I told you lately that you’re amazing! Prizes! And yes, I’ve been devouring books, stories, articles. My favorite lately is listening to the Moth podcast. The stories are so great and it helps me hear a good story arc and envision that in my writing.
You haven’t and thank you VERY much 🙂 I got an email today saying they are “personalizing” the awards and we should have them next week. I can’t wait to find out what it is!?
Thank you for the podcast recommendation!! I’ll definitely check it out.