This is a really moving & thoughtful essay. You'd likely like The Frugal Chariot substack by Nicie Panetta about literature related to climate change. Also, as a horsewoman, I recommend "The Horse" by Wendy Williams (not to be confused with Horse by Geraldine Brooks, which is getting a lot of attention now). The Horse by Williams is an evolutionary history, and it's fascinating. It served to me as a lesson in paleontology and climate shifts; it's fascinating and helps give perspective, in an oddly reassuring way, about the span of history and what the future may hold. As for spreading love -- yes, and I do this through my kids. I feel what I can do for the world is not just take personal action, but also raise loving, smart kids who I hope will in a very small personal way make the world a better place. I know many people's reactions to climate change is to not have a child, and I totally understand and respect that and understand that population growth is linked to apocalyptic disaster -- it's terrifying to think what my kids and future grandkids may face in the world. But, it's also to me a means to immortality and a way to spread love and hope. Congrats on RUFA, you should try Grandeur Peak, I won the 12hr division in 2020 (last race before the pandemic shutdown) by going about 10.5 hours. I'd like to try the 24hr, which is neat because it starts at night so you get the nighttime out of the way in the first half and then get to slog along with fresher runners in the 12hr the next day. I've done two 24hr timed events (one-mile repeat loops, getting to 115 miles each time) and recommend it as a really different ultra experience!
Sarah, thank you for this lovely comment! I really appreciate your kind words there. I'll have to check out The Frugal Chariot - and "The Horse!" That sounds totally up my alley. I see and resonate with your perspective on raising loving children, despite an uncertain future. I hope to do the same. The Grandeur Peak RUFA really fun and will definitely be on my list of "to do one day" races :) I love that aspect of the longer options at multi-race events. I'll never forget the feeling of being halfway through the Bighorn 100 when the 50 milers and 50K-ers started flying downhill past me. It was funny, and somehow made me even more proud of my sluggish crawl to the finish.
Also - thank you, thank you for recommending the SLR newsletter on your page. I really appreciate that!
This is a really moving & thoughtful essay. You'd likely like The Frugal Chariot substack by Nicie Panetta about literature related to climate change. Also, as a horsewoman, I recommend "The Horse" by Wendy Williams (not to be confused with Horse by Geraldine Brooks, which is getting a lot of attention now). The Horse by Williams is an evolutionary history, and it's fascinating. It served to me as a lesson in paleontology and climate shifts; it's fascinating and helps give perspective, in an oddly reassuring way, about the span of history and what the future may hold. As for spreading love -- yes, and I do this through my kids. I feel what I can do for the world is not just take personal action, but also raise loving, smart kids who I hope will in a very small personal way make the world a better place. I know many people's reactions to climate change is to not have a child, and I totally understand and respect that and understand that population growth is linked to apocalyptic disaster -- it's terrifying to think what my kids and future grandkids may face in the world. But, it's also to me a means to immortality and a way to spread love and hope. Congrats on RUFA, you should try Grandeur Peak, I won the 12hr division in 2020 (last race before the pandemic shutdown) by going about 10.5 hours. I'd like to try the 24hr, which is neat because it starts at night so you get the nighttime out of the way in the first half and then get to slog along with fresher runners in the 12hr the next day. I've done two 24hr timed events (one-mile repeat loops, getting to 115 miles each time) and recommend it as a really different ultra experience!
Sarah, thank you for this lovely comment! I really appreciate your kind words there. I'll have to check out The Frugal Chariot - and "The Horse!" That sounds totally up my alley. I see and resonate with your perspective on raising loving children, despite an uncertain future. I hope to do the same. The Grandeur Peak RUFA really fun and will definitely be on my list of "to do one day" races :) I love that aspect of the longer options at multi-race events. I'll never forget the feeling of being halfway through the Bighorn 100 when the 50 milers and 50K-ers started flying downhill past me. It was funny, and somehow made me even more proud of my sluggish crawl to the finish.
Also - thank you, thank you for recommending the SLR newsletter on your page. I really appreciate that!
-MB