Funemployment? How I'm becoming a better marathoner

Had to laugh when I came across this story in the Wall Street Journal the other day about unemployed people becoming more fit because they have more time to train (and rest) for their favorite athletic activities.

In an article titled, "Slow economy, faster marathons," Reed Albergottit writes, "Americans might be poorer, but they certainly aren't slower. With the economy in the doldrums, more people are discovering that without those 12-hour workdays, they're able to pursue fitness goals like never before. Marathons, triathlons and road races are filling up in record time."

I think I have to agree with the premise of this article. During the lead up time to my previous four marathons, I'd do a 6 to 10 mile run, then quickly get home, shower, and go to work on tired legs.

Now, with no job, I can lengthen that run to 8 to 14 miles, take a dip in Barton Springs, have a coffee, come home and sleep.

I run more and certainly rest more.

But I'd rather be tired at work.

I see black people: There were 7 other blacks out on the trails at Town Lake today, a surprising number because I usually see just three or four of us running. All seven that I saw this morning were not running, but at least they were out there. The ones that stay in my head were this black woman in her late 50s who had a very good trot going on, and a black guy (with some other white guys) wearing a yellow Navy shirt and blue Navy shorts. The giveaway that he was a newbie runner was that he was wearing white, leather tennis shoes. But hey, he was out there.

Wanna know why I'm writing about seeing black people running? Click here.