Author Archives: nancytinarirunswrites

About nancytinarirunswrites

I used to be known as a competitive runner, but now I have a new life as a professional writer and editor. I'm even more obsessive about reading, writing, and editing than I was about running. Running has had a huge influence on my life, though, and runner's high does fuel creativity. Maybe that's why this blog evolved into being 95% about running, but through blogging I'm also learning about writing and online communication. I'm fascinated by how the Internet has changed work, learning, and relationships. I love to connect in new and random ways!

Not being able to run is unbearable!

Posted on May 8, 2024 by nancytinarirunswrites

That was true in 1984—an Olympic year, 40 years ago! Can it still be true today? It shouldn’t be, so I put the exclamation mark in my title to mock myself. Today I’ve been thinking about one of the worse … Continue reading →

Posted in Injuries and Getting Older, Personal stories, Running | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Struggling

Posted on April 25, 2024 by nancytinarirunswrites

I haven’t written in this blog for over three months. I could give platitudes, like “I’ve been so busy with work,” or “it’s another episode of writer’s block.” Both of these are true, but they are often true, and I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Injuries and Getting Older, Personal stories, Psychology | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

New Year’s 2024: My Life in Decades

Posted on January 3, 2024 by nancytinarirunswrites

Preamble: Reflections on becoming a “senior” At the start of a new year many people like to reflect on their achievements or significant events of the past year. This year, I had the urge to write a sweeping summary of … Continue reading →

Posted in Injuries and Getting Older, Personal stories, Running | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Early morning photo

Posted on November 20, 2023 by nancytinarirunswrites

I felt elated when the sun rose and flooded through my southeast windows at about 8:00 a.m. The long hours of wakeful darkness were banished, just like that. The wall above my fireplace lit up and I took this photo. … Continue reading →

Posted in Injuries and Getting Older, Personal stories, Seasons, Vignettes | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Rookie of the Year Award

Posted on November 1, 2023 by nancytinarirunswrites

I’ve just won a “Rookie of the Year” award from the Greyhounds Masters Track and Field Club, the running club I joined in July. I also received a Canadian Masters bronze medal (belatedly) for my performance in the W60-64 800m … Continue reading →

Posted in Injuries and Getting Older, Personal stories, Racing, Running | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

My summer ends with a bang—AND a whimper*

Posted on September 5, 2023 by nancytinarirunswrites

My summer of 2023 was extraordinary, with new events, returns to the old, and losses—a time of change. The bang was going to “the cabin” at Birkenhead Lake, a place where my partner Keith spends a lot of time because … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, Injuries and Getting Older, Personal stories, Racing, Running, Seasons, Vancouver events and entertainment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sasamat Lake mini-triathlon 10th edition—as West Kelowna burns

Posted on August 20, 2023 by nancytinarirunswrites

In 2013, a year after I moved to my downtown Port Moody apartment, I created a physical challenge for myself that took advantage of my neighbourhood bike path and Sasamat Lake, only 8 kilometres away. Every year since then except … Continue reading →

Posted in Cycling, Injuries and Getting Older, Personal stories, Running | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

August at the track in 1988, 2008, and 2023

Posted on August 3, 2023 by nancytinarirunswrites

Introduction: August in Vancouver Today was a quintessentially perfect August Vancouver day. Sunny and cool (13⁰ C) at 6:00 a.m. but warming up to 28⁰ C by late afternoon. The weather reminded me how much I loved training in Vancouver … Continue reading →

Posted in Injuries and Getting Older, Personal stories, Racing, Running, Seasons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Martin Amis, Vladimir Nabokov, and a cat named Tux

Posted on July 23, 2023 by nancytinarirunswrites

Fans of the CBC weekly program Writers & Company will know by now that after 33 years on air, this beloved program with interviewer Eleanor Wachtel aired its final original episode on June 23, 2023. Wachtel, who over the course … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Personal stories, Writing, Writing Criticism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seagulls at dawn

Posted on July 12, 2023 by nancytinarirunswrites

I love summer mornings. In May and June the birdsong begins when it’s still completely dark. On a sleepless night I hear the first birds chirping and look at my watch: 3:30. If I’m lucky sleep will come and I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal stories, Seasons, Vignettes | Tagged , , | 3 Comments