The Way: Rep. Wilde on checks & balances, Levine on Shorter School Weeks, Frazier on Team Sports
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Editor’s Note:
I’m usually not one to run and tell. We all have “that” friend who (over)shares their latest athletic feat. And, while you’re proud of them, it makes any time you spend on the couch feel like an unconscionable sin. In these crazy times, you should be allotted an extra number of sweatpants days, regardless of how far and frequently your Prefontaine-wannabe friend runs.
I also try to make these Editor’s Notes related to the news and public policy, or something about Oregon’s history. Today, I’m breaking that trend as well. So bear with me or skip this and head straight for the excellent posts below. Future Notes will return to their usual style.
294 minutes of my weekend took place on a winding, wooded 50k course near Redwood City, California. I had never run an ultra marathon before but wanted to set a lofty goal after a Fall spent training with a fellow student at the Kennedy School. The course made sure that every bit of my training came into play: runners had to conquer 5,800 feet of elevation, climb over fallen trees, and skirt by big puddles from rain that drenched the area earlier in the week.
Over those 4+ hours of running, the digital world was inaccessible. It was incredible. No emails to read. No texts to receive. No tweets to…well…tweet. My sole focus was on moving forward as quickly as my body would allow. That forward movement eventually became a mental battle as well as a physical one.
A rolled ankle, a side ache, and ever-worsening spell of dehydration all made my body less willing to climb another hill or speed down another slope as the miles slowly passed. Still, I willed my body forward. I flung my arms to generate any positive momentum. I swallowed as much air as possible to power the next move. I angled my feet so that each stride pulled me a little further.
Tears almost started flowing when the finish line approached (in part because my watch GPS was off and I thought I still had two miles to go). When I finally did make it to the Baja Fresh burrito waiting on the other side of the line, I couldn’t help but thank my body and my mind for working as one toward a goal I never thought I’d achieve.
Over the coming weeks, a lot of goals will be made. My 50k revealed my next goals: another, faster 50k AND a break from the digital world every Saturday from 12pm on. Both goals will allow me to focus more on my body, my mind, and the nature and community around me. Both will push me to train physically and mentally. Both will not be done easily.
So my unsolicited advice for the year ahead is to set a goal that will require you to adopt new habits. The human body is capable of incredible things. How will you test your limits?
Here’s to a better Oregon,
Kevin
*NOTE expect fewer posts in the coming days as our wonderful contributor community spends time with their loved ones. Happy Holidays, all!
To look forward to:
Our #GovernorGoals series. Learn more about how you can help shape the future of our state here.
January will focus on homelessness and include posts from Mayor Stan Pulliam, former Bend Mayor Jeff Eager, Jessica Gomez, and more.
Xavier Stickler looks at current efforts to create a new Interstate Bridge and offers guidance to planners.
To read:
Rep. Wilde offers Part 2 in his series of posts on the lack of accountability over the executive branch.
Xander Levine, a student at Lincoln High, shares his reasons for opposing a four-day school week.
Read more here.
Kevin Frazier reflects on the life-long impact of playing team sports as a kid and argues that this opportunity must remain open to Oregon’s youngsters.
Read more here.
To do:
Share The Oregon Way with three friends
Join our editorial team or nominate someone to join
Tell us how we can improve!
Photo credit: "Boring, Oregon" by pdx.rollingthunder is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0