Tues TTRS: Dear Running Log and (One) Running Shoe......

The Complete Runner's Day-by-Day Log/2010 Calendar Training Tip:

It's spring time (finally!) and streams and creeks may be part of your running path. If so, consider this advice from The Complete Runner's Day-by-Day Log, "High-step your way across if the waterway is shallow. Your feet will barely get wet."

Training Topic:  Finding your back after an injury

Dear Running Log and (One!) Running Shoe, 

It's been two (very) long weeks since our last chance to swap stories. Sure, we've talked and cuddled since then (that time hubby found both of you snuggled under my pillow, me smiling as I dreamed of us running and logging miles, was kind of embarrassing...), but I'm really looking forward to us being able to well, interact, a bit more - very soon.  In fact, I'm hoping the foot doc will give us his blessing for a reunion, either today when I see him, or in the next week or so. Okay, I'm lying.  I want it to be today. 

I've become quite a fashion diva (even more than before...LOL) with one running shoe and a big ugly boot (last week's knee-length summer dress was a show stopper!), and it feels like a small child has attached himself to my ankle and is dragging along when I walk (think screaming toddler), but on a positive note, my right foot is quite comfy and my left leg is getting really strong!  Always looking for the silver lining....  I am soooo ready to find my way back from this injury and join my fellow runners who pass by our window every evening.  Hey guys! I'll be there soon!  Save a spot for me!

Other Random Stuff:

Dear Robin,

Thank you for submitting your writer application to Demand Studios. After careful review of your resume and writing sample, we are unable to offer you writing assignments at this time.....

Blah, blah, blah, blah... 

I began writing for eHow.com last summer, creating a few online how-to articles on various topics (You can check them out on the right margin of my blog).  Someone introduced me to eHow last year, explaining residuals, etc.... Hmmm... I love to write. I'm always looking for answers online to my own question: How do I...? Why not offer a few answers with instructions. And so I did. 

Blogging, however, immediately took most of my writing time and the daytime gig filled my days.  Not too many articles were written, but I stored them away for future writing.

Then, last week I received an e-mail telling me that eHow was being transitioned to Demand Studios, 'an online publishing network with a more robust publishing platform,' and since I had not written the required number of articles for eHow to be 'grandfathered in,' I'd need to submit a writing sample, provide a resume that reflected my writing experience, and write any final articles for eHow before the cut-off date (4/13).  They assured me my current work would still be accessible to people looking for info on the topics I wrote about; the articles will still generate in an Internet search.

My first thought was, "What? Five days (three of which were workdays) to do all that?" Then thought, "Fantastic! A new writing platform will be awesome," especially when I reviewed their website. I prepared and sent all required documents Sunday afternoon after spending the entire day getting them together and writing three additional articles for eHow.  I was excited about the proposition of writing for Demand Studios, and hopeful they would extend an invitation to join their publishing group.  Then, the e-mail came late Monday afternoon.... Thanks for submitting, but we're not interested. 

Wow.   Just like that.   Rejected.   How do you like that??

Bummer.

Then I remembered what I told my mom when she first began writing and submitting for publication:  "99 nos equal 1 yes."  And there it is.  I guess I really broke even, because Florida Running & Triathlon invited me in December to write for their online venues. (Thank you, Peter!)  So I wallered in self-pity for um .... 5 minutes or so, then moved on.  

Do you think Demand Studios will be interested when I publish my first book??  :-)  (I'm not easily deterred.)

I'm just sayin' .....

Happy running, friends.... Have a terrific Tuesday!

Robin