Uncategorized – Page 3 – Jim's Travel Culture and History Blog

Museum of Islamic Art – Doha, Qatar

The Museum of Islamic Art is a spectacular museum in Doha, Qatar where I lived in 2011-2012.

Panama April 2014 with my Son Gregory Orion

In Spring of 2014, my kids and I decided that they would each choose a place to travel because their Spring breaks from school did not coincide. Greg chose Panama and Sierra chose Greece. Both excellent choices. I was living in Abu Dhabi, so first I met Sierra in Athens and then traveled back toContinue reading “Panama April 2014 with my Son Gregory Orion”

My lost love, running

As I have been writing a little about marathon running, I am filled with a longing and sadness for something that had been my constant companion for so many years. I ran for many years, but consistently for almost 20. I ran to relax, I ran to think, I ran to celebrate, I ran toContinue reading “My lost love, running”

My attempt to break the five minute mile at age 45

2004 was a great year for me running. I broke three hours in the marathon and won trophies at the national masters race. In Puyallup, Washington they have a wonderful Summer track and field program for all ages. They have meets once or twice a week at Sparks stadium. I would go there with friends,Continue reading “My attempt to break the five minute mile at age 45”

Possibly my most exciting race

In the Summer of 2004 I was still riding the high of my sub three hour marathon. There was a National Masters track meet in West Seattle that brought the best from around the country. I decided to enter the 5000 meter and 1500m races. Both would be on the track. The 5000m is aboutContinue reading “Possibly my most exciting race”

Why Run Marathons?

Why run marathons? Of course I was asked this many times. You don’t need to explain to a marathon runner, but you often talk about it. The short answer I would give is that you can experience all of life’s emotions in one morning. “A good laugh and a long run are the two bestContinue reading “Why Run Marathons?”

What happened after breaking 3 hours in the Marathon, or What do you do when you achieve a goal you worked towards for years?

In May of 2004, I finally broke three hours in the marathon. I actually blew it away. Ran a 2:55:52! I had no idea what to do after that. I always had running goals, but for some reason after the three hours, I was struggling to find a suitable goal. I did run several moreContinue reading “What happened after breaking 3 hours in the Marathon, or What do you do when you achieve a goal you worked towards for years?”

Olympia, Washington May 16, 2004

It had been five years since I first thought of running a marathon in under three hours. It had become very elusive. I had tried everything I could with training techniques, diet, mental preparation, strategies during the race and so on. I had been working on the breathing technique that I had read about andContinue reading “Olympia, Washington May 16, 2004”

Trying to break three hours in the Marathon

My first marathon was in 1997 and the Boston Marathon was my fourth race. I had reduced my time each race and finished in3:05:11. It seemed to me that the magical three hour mark should be within reach. But as in life, good things seem to take time and effort. The next race I scheduledContinue reading “Trying to break three hours in the Marathon”

The Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon takes place right around tax time on Patriots Day I believe they call it. Hard to believe that in my first three marathons I had taken 42 minutes time off my initial race time and now was running in the famous Boston Marathon. One thing that I had not done was travelContinue reading “The Boston Marathon”