This week, I’m linking up with Sheila at Book Journey for It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? and with Tara at Running N Reading for Weekend Update.
I’m currently reading…
The Missing Place by Sophie Littlefield:
I just started this mystery about two mothers teaming up to find their missing sons during the North Dakota oil boom and have had a hard time putting it down! It’s more than just a mystery…you’ve got the effects of an oil boom on a small town and the ins and outs of Indian Tribal law in addition to the missing boys.
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Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris:
I’m actually listening to this one and it seems to be taking me forever to get through it (see last week’s post)…not because I’m not enjoying it (I am!), but because I only listen while running and I haven’t been logging long miles now that my half marathon is over.
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Next up for me is…Nonfiction November!
Without You, There is No Us by Suki Kim:
Ever since reading The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson, I’ve been intrigued by life in North Korea. While I didn’t actually like The Orphan Master’s Son, one part about it I did enjoy was getting a glimpse into the life of North Korean ordinary citizens. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to read some nonfiction about life under Dear Leader. And, Nonfiction November is giving me the perfect opportunity to do just that!
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Striking Gridiron by Greg Nichols:
I’ve had this one about a Pennsylvania steel town’s (Braddock) football team’s amazing 1959 season on the heels of the longest labor strike in U.S. history on my Kindle for awhile now and Nonfiction November just jumped it to the top of my TBR list. I’m a sucker for feel good sports stories (East Dillon Lions of “Friday Night Lights”, anyone?!) and I’m hoping this will be a good one.
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Running: Getting back in the saddle after the half marathon…
My half marathon was two weeks ago and I got back in the saddle this weekend with the Rocky’s Races 5K in Rockefeller State Park Preserve. You’re running on old horse trails through the woods – very calm and peaceful…except for all the hills! I was happy with my time ([25:10]) and place (3rd in my division), but feel like the time was a little bit of a tease since my Garmin said 2.89 miles at the finish line! However, I have to say that this was much better than having my Garmin say 13.23 miles at the end of my half marathon!
This race was a nice change of pace following my half marathon. It was somewhat liberating doing more sprint work and short tempo runs…and, not running more than 5 miles at a time! I have one more 5K (a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot) before hanging things up for the winter.
Now, what to do during the winter?!
I love how training for something specific gives me motivation to work out harder, but there isn’t much to train for in the winter months. I will continue to work out and run outside as much as possible, but there will likely be times when running outside is just too much (at least judging by last winter).
How do you stay motivated during the winter? What types of workouts do you do?
Like the sound of the Kim book very much. Enjoy your week.
I like to read Sedaris every once in a while, but I’m not sure it’s the kind of thing I’d listen to on audio. I need an involving novel for an audiobook, the kind that makes me remember to turn it on!
Haha – I think we’re opposites on audiobooks. I only really listen while running, so I need something that I can pick up sporadically and still enjoy. I’ve found I can’t keep up with long, involved plots on audio….plus, I’m really a visual person.
Isn’t Sedaris hilarious?? I haven’t managed to read his latest but I’d really like to 😀
I have been noticing The Missing Place on Vine…must go back and get it! Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
Hey, Sarah! I’m delighted to hear that you are enjoying The Missing Place; I thought it was great, so I can’t wait to hear what you think when you are finished. I usually find a race to train for over the winter months so that I can stay motivated although, truthfully, running is so much a part of my routine now that I can’t imagine not doing it. The weather is a challenge, at times, so I have to use the treadmill on those occasions, which I really hate. Take it easy on yourself, but try to maintain your running fitness so that you don’t have to start from scratch when winter thaws. Congrats on your race; that is amazing!
I’m definitely going to continue running..just need to figure out some ways to avoid the boredom of the treadmill. It didn’t used to bother me, but now I’ve been running outside so much more that I’ve started to dread the treadmill! There is a treadmill group class at my gym where they do lots of intervals and hills and mix in some arm weights and core, so I may give that a shot.
I’m now 75% through Missing Place and things just started to break open..I can’t wait to put the kids to bed tonight so I can read!
Thanks for stopping by!
I like the sound of Without You, There is No Us. It reminds me of Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick … a book that has been on my wish list for a very long time.
I just hope whoveer writes these keeps writing more!
Congrats on your races. Running is great, though in the winter when it’s too cold to go out, I often succumb to the gym or go to yoga class, which I like. Cheers.