Laura Smith Writer

Category: Nonfiction

  • First long run for NY!

    Today was my first “long” run for the NYC Marathon. I usually plan on a 20 week training block for the race which includes down weeks when we are away. It felt doable, and after dealing with injuries for years no, I will take it! As I am a teacher, summer training is the easy…

  • The Road to New York (Again!!)

    It is about that time of year again; the time to begin training in earnest for fall marathons. For me, this is the easy part. I am a teacher and have more time in the summer for added mileage, strength training, mobility, and recovery. It is in these first few months that training feels “easy.”…

  • Pride, Letting Go, and Courage

    It is June, and that means that the bigots will start to cry about the absence of straight pride. If this is you, please scroll on by. As an ally, how can I best support my loved ones who identify as part of the queer community? How can I use my voice to further the…

  • “Wordle” Poem Challenge (Spoiler alert)

    I had a better name for this challenge, but I thought it up while driving to the post office and it has since vacated the confines of my menopausal mind. So here goes: The challenge, if you choose to accept it is to create a poem utilizing one Wordle word you guessed per line. If…

  • Transitions

    The school year is winding down and I am almost at the end of my tenth year of teaching. Just some exams, some grading and meetings to go before what always feels likes the endless days of summer begin. The other day on my run I was thinking about transitions, planning out a yoga class…

  • “Worn Story”

    October 10, 2009 A perky volunteer smiled at me, “Congratulations” she sang as I inched my way towards her. She slipped the medal around my neck, its weight becoming immediately apparent. I did not take a look at it closely until I was home on the couch that evening, completely exhausted yet proud. “ING Hartford…

  • Returning to the Page

    It has been awhile since I have sat down to put words to page in any meaningful way. I have been writing alongside my memoir students, yet these musings remain in a document, tucked away and out of sight. Since my last post I have run the NY Marathon three additional times, and each time…

  • Road to the TCS NYC Marathon: 5. Letting go of the Cram

    I am a crammer. Is that even a word? I look at the time I have ahead and attempt to schedule in absolutely every single class, meeting, training session, and activity that I can within that allotted time. And the end result? Sleeping through an entire beautiful afternoon because I cannot seem to move my…