Reading Outside The Comfort Zone

Reading Aloud, Running Scared, Breaking Routines, Building Connections

This week I had two readings, or rather book presentations, for Hundert-Meilen-Herz & Runhundred. I was at the Frankfurter Laufshop, one of the most famous running stores in Germany, and at the Landau Running Company, another nationally known running store with an incredibly loyal and large community behind it.

To get straight to the point: it was two wonderful evenings that fulfilled me and are still resonating. The interest in my story and me as a person is very flattering. Something I will never take for granted.

When in Frankfurt…

The Frankfurter Laufshop is a traditional running store in the heart of the city. Well-known names in running have been and still are regulars, both behind and in front of the counter. You can clearly see the difference when a place like this is run by people who love and live running. With almost 30 visitors, the reading was very well attended and a perfect mix of familiar and new faces. Free drinks, plenty of signed books and casual conversations. What a wonderful evening.

When in Landau…

The Landau Running Company is best known for its large and very visible running crew. There is hardly a major trail race without at least a dozen runners in Landau Running shirts. I even had my first trail experience as part of a Landau Running Company community run in 2016. The atmosphere in the stylish shop was very relaxed. There was a lot of laughter and easy chatting even before the official part of the event started, and it continued well into the evening. The connection between those present was strong; I looked into dozens of curious, laughing and enthusiastic eyes. It was a beautiful get-together with a great running community.

The Readings

My plan for the two evenings (and for future readings) was not to talk the audience to death, but after a few introductory words (ok, maybe there were a few more...) and the reading of three short chapters, to engage in a direct exchange. Q&A, dialogue, back and forth, anything goes. On both nights, this worked great.

The questions and feedback were so varied that my fears of the exchange turning into an 'ultrarunner nerd talk' were completely unfounded. I also learned a lot myself. Especially about the different ways in which people find themselves in my story. I was thrilled to discover that my experiences at the Western States 100 resonated with runners from all backgrounds, even those who had never heard of Western States or even ultrarunning. These inspiring conversations continued in casual chats until I fell into bed tired and satisfied.

The Comfort Zone

I have to admit that I had to step out of my comfort zone for these readings. I used to think that in such situations it was because of the contact with strangers. However, in both Frankfurt and Landau this concern was quickly dispelled. I received a super warm welcome in either place and also met people at both readings who have been accompanying me on my journey for years.

I think this comfort zone thing is more about breaking out of routine. I am deeply grateful for the many exciting things that happen in my life, but the Levelhead in me ensures that they always happen in a very orderly way. Jumping on a train with a backpack and reading from my book to strangers somewhere in Germany is clearly breaking out of those routines.

But you know what comes next:

Breaking out of routine is important. It's the only way we get to know new sides of ourselves. To even create new sides of ourselves.

In my particular case – I don't know if this is generalizable – I notice that in such situations my level of alertness is easily 5 points above my daily average. I know that I function differently in this zone. My brain works in other ways and faster, my body language changes and my senses are sharpened. It's a bit like looking at myself from the outside in slow motion. This high level of alertness only occurs when I am doing something that I am completely absorbed in. Telling my Hundert-Meilen-Herz / Runhundred story is definitely one of those things. It is and will remain something truly exceptional to me.

On we go!

The first three readings in Oberaudorf, Frankfurt and Landau were test runs. Both for me, to find out if I enjoy it, but also to see if people are interested in it at all. I would say the test has been passed. So I'll keep going ;-)

If you have any suggestions or ideas about where I should appear with Hundert-Meilen-Herz and Runhundred, whether it's a running shop, a running club, a race, or any other event or place related to running, just let me know. I'll try to make it as easy and uncomplicated as possible and look forward to further encounters with you 🖤

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Everything Not Running

Yesterday was Edge Day. An almost cheesy way of celebrating the Straight Edge lifestyle on a set day every year. For those who care: Happy belated Edge Day ❌.

I was just about to type a few lines about Straight Edge in this Everything Not Running section when I realized that I had already written some very clever things about it about a year and a half ago, which I am simply republishing here:

(The one and only original “…isn’t cool anymore shirt”)

“I am Straight Edge.”

Four simple words that are still incredibly easy for me to say. It’s been almost 30 years since I committed to a lifelong drug- and alcohol-free, self-conscious and also vegetarian (later on vegan) lifestyle.

Almost. Thirty. Years.

This means 2 things:

1. I am old

2. No other idea or life-concept has accompanied me for a longer time

If you are not familiar with the Straight Edge subculture, I leave it up to you to ask das internetz. You might come across a quite elaborate Wikipedia entry, but also some media coverage about all sorts of weird outgrowths Straight Edge has produced over the decades.

Here’s my point: I don’t even know exactly, anymore, how a Straight Edge lifestyle looks, sounds and feels like for young kids these days. I am very much stuck in the 1990s, the time when I first discovered this subculture.

As a 44-year-old, it would be easy to leave behind the label. In fact, a lot of my fellows did. Or even worse: Breaking the Edge, as “we” call it. This means turning your back on the original ideals by starting to drink alcohol again, for example.

But that’s not me. I am still very happy with the choices I have made. That is because it was the Straight Edge that made me stop drinking as a lost 16-year-old alcoholic-aspirant. Not my parents. Not my teachers. Not my doctor. No TV report and no magazine article. Not even the tiny voice inside my head that told me I would be doomed for the rest of my life, if I continued doing what I was doing.

Therefore I am eternally thankful to the Straight Edge. And that’s why I still proudly carry the name.