Hi Bonnie; I’ve so enjoyed your writing, including Untrustworthy, which I recommend to people all the time. Its relevance is increasingly demonstrated in recent developments.
I have been on the fence about subscribing, but this post on running did it for me. We’re different generations and yet I so connect with you in your thinking, your writing, your view of the world through the lens of gospel and the Scriptures. And now letting us know that you’re also an endurance athlete. The final clincher was your take on Strava! Despite my cycling and running friends’ subtle prods – no way, no how for me. And it’s not because I’m too old. Technologically, I can do social media. My conscience just won’t let me participate on Strava. My main motivator is to meet or exceed my own expectations each ride or run or hike, free from those I might place on myself having followed the exploits of others. My inherent competitive spirit was something from which Christ began to liberate me after I first began following Him wholeheartedly in my early 20s. It’s actually been a long process. Strava might help me know or be known a little better on the group bike ride – but the downside way outweighs that.
Love your work. I’m certain the Lord is using you in many lives.
Oh I love this list. I’ve struggled with consistency in running. I try and go 3-4 but I can even solidly go 2 so end up feeling defeated. This gave me the motivation to try again. I struggle with sore feet and my lower legs/achilles always feel so tight I wonder if the zero shoes would help 🤔
Ah, that’s great :) About the shoes: I think very possibly, once you’re used to them, so long as you really take your time building up strength with them, as I expect you’d be using smaller muscles you probably haven’t been using much
Fantastic list! I'm always encouraging people to skip the gear & tech - they rarely take me up on it. The great runners of lore had no tech, terrible shoes, and pure guts. We spend most of our days wired up to headphones, screens, music, and podcasts, so why take that out with us when we hit the pavement?
I had triple bypass surgery in 2020 (during Covid) and am doing quite well but the best I can say is running may be in my future. For now, walking 30 to 45 minutes at a good clip in my New Balance sneakers (or Columbia hiking shoes) is my daily goal. I am up to 15 push ups with other calisthenics. You are a wise young woman and appreciate your thorough commentary on the subject. A pop up of your article on cocktail parties showed up on the side and gave me a smile.
Walking is great too! I assume I may eventually have to switch to it, but for now, it's just not efficient enough as a workout for the limited time I have to exercise.
Okay, I started reading your post and was admiring all your hard work as a runner. And then, when I got to Xero shoes, I had to comment! Oh my goodness, Bonnie- you are one of the first women I know who wears those shoes! My husband is obsessed with them and only wears them to work out, lift weights, run, etc. To the point where he walks in their sandals all summer long to the embarrassment of our children LOL. He has been working on strengthening his ankles and these flat/natural feet shoes have helped a ton! Great essay and good advice for aspiring runners.
lol, I have also moved to barefoot sandals -- just a piece of leather as the sole -- instead of Birkenstocks, as I do not want support in my shoes. Mine are cute, though, and don't look unusual aside from the thinner sole
Loved all the advice on this! Our daughter is a XC runner and yes to Honey Stinger waffles and chews and Body glide for chafing! We have watched these girls run 7 days a week non stop for the last 4 years and I am so sad this season is ending. Thankfully she plans to join a running club at college!
The question is why. It is proven that weight lifting is healthier, and for men at least does more for attractiveness. The main problem is that it is boring as hell, and motivation is very hard to find. The question is whether running is better in that sense, easier to stick to because more fun? I find so far that bike riding is the most fun, because of a sense of speed and the lack of that uncomfortable bouncing that running, or perhaps just running with bad form causes. That every step sends a jolt through the body.
That's a really good guide for beginning running. It was almost the same journey for me over 19 years, but I have never done a race and I run less now and take the dog with me always. All that being said, no way I'm wearing anything I have ran in more than once without washing it!
Thanks, and yeah, I figured that might be one of my more controversial takes, haha. That said, I think you might be surprised how wool in particular handles a lack of washing. After airing out, especially with any outdoor air or sun, it's not just "oh, I guess that's acceptable for a run" but "this does not smell at all."
Hi Bonnie; I’ve so enjoyed your writing, including Untrustworthy, which I recommend to people all the time. Its relevance is increasingly demonstrated in recent developments.
I have been on the fence about subscribing, but this post on running did it for me. We’re different generations and yet I so connect with you in your thinking, your writing, your view of the world through the lens of gospel and the Scriptures. And now letting us know that you’re also an endurance athlete. The final clincher was your take on Strava! Despite my cycling and running friends’ subtle prods – no way, no how for me. And it’s not because I’m too old. Technologically, I can do social media. My conscience just won’t let me participate on Strava. My main motivator is to meet or exceed my own expectations each ride or run or hike, free from those I might place on myself having followed the exploits of others. My inherent competitive spirit was something from which Christ began to liberate me after I first began following Him wholeheartedly in my early 20s. It’s actually been a long process. Strava might help me know or be known a little better on the group bike ride – but the downside way outweighs that.
Love your work. I’m certain the Lord is using you in many lives.
Ah thanks, Jim, this is such a kind note. And yes, I know exactly what you mean about wanting to one-up people. I wrote about this a bit in regards to running here: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/05/confessions-of-a-striver-miroslav-volf-aaron-renn/?utm_medium=widgetsocial
This makes me want to start running over again.
Fantastic work.
Oh I love this list. I’ve struggled with consistency in running. I try and go 3-4 but I can even solidly go 2 so end up feeling defeated. This gave me the motivation to try again. I struggle with sore feet and my lower legs/achilles always feel so tight I wonder if the zero shoes would help 🤔
Ah, that’s great :) About the shoes: I think very possibly, once you’re used to them, so long as you really take your time building up strength with them, as I expect you’d be using smaller muscles you probably haven’t been using much
Fantastic list! I'm always encouraging people to skip the gear & tech - they rarely take me up on it. The great runners of lore had no tech, terrible shoes, and pure guts. We spend most of our days wired up to headphones, screens, music, and podcasts, so why take that out with us when we hit the pavement?
Right? Plus, have you ever read Ray Bradbury's "The Pedestrian"? https://www.riversidelocalschools.com/downloads/pedestrian%20short%20story.pdf In my most paranoid libertarian moments, I think it's worthwhile to build up a record of leaving your house tech-free. (My husband laughs at me for this, haha.)
I had triple bypass surgery in 2020 (during Covid) and am doing quite well but the best I can say is running may be in my future. For now, walking 30 to 45 minutes at a good clip in my New Balance sneakers (or Columbia hiking shoes) is my daily goal. I am up to 15 push ups with other calisthenics. You are a wise young woman and appreciate your thorough commentary on the subject. A pop up of your article on cocktail parties showed up on the side and gave me a smile.
Walking is great too! I assume I may eventually have to switch to it, but for now, it's just not efficient enough as a workout for the limited time I have to exercise.
Okay, I started reading your post and was admiring all your hard work as a runner. And then, when I got to Xero shoes, I had to comment! Oh my goodness, Bonnie- you are one of the first women I know who wears those shoes! My husband is obsessed with them and only wears them to work out, lift weights, run, etc. To the point where he walks in their sandals all summer long to the embarrassment of our children LOL. He has been working on strengthening his ankles and these flat/natural feet shoes have helped a ton! Great essay and good advice for aspiring runners.
lol, I have also moved to barefoot sandals -- just a piece of leather as the sole -- instead of Birkenstocks, as I do not want support in my shoes. Mine are cute, though, and don't look unusual aside from the thinner sole
Loved all the advice on this! Our daughter is a XC runner and yes to Honey Stinger waffles and chews and Body glide for chafing! We have watched these girls run 7 days a week non stop for the last 4 years and I am so sad this season is ending. Thankfully she plans to join a running club at college!
oh gosh you too LOL - my hubby has those flat thong like sandals. He could be a tree hugger when he wears those!
This is very helpful as a new runner that just made it to 2.5 miles and wasn’t sure how long I should stay there. Thank you!
The question is why. It is proven that weight lifting is healthier, and for men at least does more for attractiveness. The main problem is that it is boring as hell, and motivation is very hard to find. The question is whether running is better in that sense, easier to stick to because more fun? I find so far that bike riding is the most fun, because of a sense of speed and the lack of that uncomfortable bouncing that running, or perhaps just running with bad form causes. That every step sends a jolt through the body.
That's a really good guide for beginning running. It was almost the same journey for me over 19 years, but I have never done a race and I run less now and take the dog with me always. All that being said, no way I'm wearing anything I have ran in more than once without washing it!
Thanks, and yeah, I figured that might be one of my more controversial takes, haha. That said, I think you might be surprised how wool in particular handles a lack of washing. After airing out, especially with any outdoor air or sun, it's not just "oh, I guess that's acceptable for a run" but "this does not smell at all."