October 29, 2001
Of Penguins and Prefontaine
What it really means to give your best.
Selected writings
My Favorite Columns
Stories to make you smile, think, and remember why you started.
John’s own curated collection - the columns he chose to carry forward. Each opens the complete original text, right here.
October 29, 2001
The Inner Penguin
Finding the joy and identity behind the Penguin spirit.
July 3, 2013
Unintended Consequences
Unintended consequences can be roughly grouped into three types:
January 16, 2016
Great Expectations
A different way to think about what beginning runners need.
January 16, 2016
Running Ugly
For the days when running is anything but graceful.
January 30, 2017
Are We There Yet?
A reminder to appreciate where we are along the way.
April 5, 2019
Opening Day
If you live where there are 4 real seasons then you already know that there are 4 absolutely must run days of the year. These are the cut school, skip work, and get a sitter for th…
January 13, 2020
Shoe Suede Blues
I've admitted this before in this column. But, I suppose if confession is good for the soul, repeating the confession can't hurt. I'm crazy about running shoes. I like to look at t…
January 20, 2020
The Olympian Inside You
I’ve never competed in the Olympic Games. I’ve never even been to the Olympic Games. I’ve never competed in any event that had national or international significance. I probably am…
February 3, 2020
The Next Step
May 1997
February 12, 2020
A Body In Motion
For nearly 10 years I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many of the top runners of this and past generations. The one interview that is guaranteed to be filled with surprises, t…
February 24, 2020
Wrong Side of the Tracks
I’m not a rookie. I've run 45 marathons. I'm familiar with most of the marathon training programs and I’ve read dozens of articles on workouts, building mileage, tapering and race…
March 23, 2020
Par for the Course
Maybe it’s time to take a lesson from another sport.
December 31, 2020
Epilogue
After almost 20 years of writing, first for a small tabloid in Murfreesboro, TN, then 14 years with Runner's World magazine, and finally for Competitor magazine, I thought I had sa…
July 21, 2009
Running with Friends
A celebration of the friendships found at the back of the pack.
October 29, 2001
Personal Record
A reflection on writing, running, and beginning again.
August 2004
The Write Stuff
On the unexpected journey from running to writing.
June 1, 2015
Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen
John reflects on the close of his long-running column.