In 1984, when I was 16, I walked away from track without ever finding out how good I could be. I had reasons.
Twenty years later, I ran a mile only three seconds slower than my teenage best (4:36). It hurt to realize I never found out what I was capable of. What might have been at age 18, 22, or 28? Since then, I’ve made a promise to myself: never leave my potential unexplored. That’s why I’m chasing a fast mile at 58. Not to beat anyone else, but to find out what I’m capable of. I write about it here: https://warmcurrent.me/2026/03/03/chasing-knowledge-that-wont-make-me-happy/
When we were 26, my best friend decided that we were going to be runners; I said yes because it was an excuse to hang out. Once we got past the part where it sucked continuously, I fell unexpectedly in love. It truly felt like a revelation: I was not a sporty teen and associated exercise with punishment and the sort of low-grade humiliation endemic to high school PE.
Today, I run for all the reasons you do, and because running is a convenient way to spend time with other runner friends. My son began asking to run together when he was a toddler (he would chant "I want to run" while strapped into the BOB). He turns 15 this week, and is now bugging me to let him pace me to a faster mile time this summer 😁
Very cool socks! I run to show my kids that movement is something you do each day, like brushing your teeth, and it definitely helps the creative juices flow. :) Thanks, Raz!
I run because of missed opportunity.
In 1984, when I was 16, I walked away from track without ever finding out how good I could be. I had reasons.
Twenty years later, I ran a mile only three seconds slower than my teenage best (4:36). It hurt to realize I never found out what I was capable of. What might have been at age 18, 22, or 28? Since then, I’ve made a promise to myself: never leave my potential unexplored. That’s why I’m chasing a fast mile at 58. Not to beat anyone else, but to find out what I’m capable of. I write about it here: https://warmcurrent.me/2026/03/03/chasing-knowledge-that-wont-make-me-happy/
It’s gotta be the socks…
glad to hear it markie
The Substack app decided to use the Thrash Hits pic as the push notification for this post. Very confusing this morning.
Easter Egg for the OGs
CHUM IS FUM
happy birthday
I run for fun and to train to be a better person. But I don't wear socks!
No socks is *crazy*
Agree. But it would also be crazy to run just in sock
When we were 26, my best friend decided that we were going to be runners; I said yes because it was an excuse to hang out. Once we got past the part where it sucked continuously, I fell unexpectedly in love. It truly felt like a revelation: I was not a sporty teen and associated exercise with punishment and the sort of low-grade humiliation endemic to high school PE.
Today, I run for all the reasons you do, and because running is a convenient way to spend time with other runner friends. My son began asking to run together when he was a toddler (he would chant "I want to run" while strapped into the BOB). He turns 15 this week, and is now bugging me to let him pace me to a faster mile time this summer 😁
I love your backstory! PE definitely put a lot of people off (including me from swimming).
I'm looking fwd to seeing how my boy's running goes. Will I go full coach mode? TBC.
Very cool socks! I run to show my kids that movement is something you do each day, like brushing your teeth, and it definitely helps the creative juices flow. :) Thanks, Raz!
I still don't create enough creative juice to write good haikus 🤣
HA! I think your haikus are great! Keep going.
Thrash Hats LOL. I’m running to get time alone, and to bolster my mental health! Ordered a pair of the socks (even though they aren’t toe socks!)
I’ve found ‘alone time’ to be a common theme among parents haha
(I’ll be back on the toe socks once I’m running far enough to warrant them)
Some truths are universal! (About alone time, not toe socks)
I love the socks!!!!!
me too :)