A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who's beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

quiz

passion for running category: running on Monday, June 14 2004

Depending on your age, you may or may not have any idea what I’m talking about and depending on reasons unknown, your answer to question #2 will be “red” or “blue”…

…so, I’m riding my bike home after work and my ass is bloody hurting and an old childhood story pops into my head just when I am in the most dire need for inspiration.

It was the story of “The Little Engine That Could”.

1) Did you read that story when you were a kid?
2) Was the train red or blue?

That story was my FAVE in the whole world. “I think I can I think I can – I KNOW I can I KNOW I can” – very powerful stuff even for my current 36 year-old childish mind! (by the way, this is a GREAT kids book even today)

For me the train was BLUE and I just noticed the picture on amazon.com agrees but I’ve had several friends talk of silly RED trains.

AS IF!

(I think it was the puffing noise I was making that reminded me of the train)




10 Comments

225

Comment by Susan

Monday June 14, 2004 @

I have no recollection of color–though I would have said red. I must have read that book to my sons a thousand times. But I think until my soreness passes, my motto will be “I think I can, but I probably shouldn’t!” Sorta takes away from the ending, doesn’t it??!!

226

Comment by Annalisa

Monday June 14, 2004 @

Mark, you are so funny. I loved this post, and I especially loved your all caps “AS IF!” Hilarious.

I can’t remember the color of the train, which is odd, because my memory is usually REALLY good at that kind of thing. I can still vividly remember all of the obscure kids books I had (there was one about bears who lived in a tree), and how the illustrations looked.

I wonder how many kids books there are about running?

227

Comment by Jon in Michigan

Tuesday June 15, 2004 @

BLUE! The darn thing was always blue. I discovered in later years that it must have been a wood burning engine because of that humongous cone shaped smoke stack. Did you remember it being female too? All the nasty unhelpful engines were male and the nice train was female. Harumpf!

228

Comment by Deene

Tuesday June 15, 2004 @

I loved that book and “I think I can” is like my mantra. I try it on my little girl whenever she get discouraged and she just gives me her “bite me” look.

229

Comment by Mark

Tuesday June 15, 2004 @

Susan – Yup! ;)

Annalisa – hmmm. I’m not sure. Did you have any Curious George books?

Jon – Female? hmmm…I don’t remember that!!

Deene – Our kids are more sophisticated than we were or, in my case, AM!

233

Comment by Christy

Tuesday June 15, 2004 @

I think it was purple

236

Comment by Lesley

Tuesday June 15, 2004 @

Back in my day…..it was red!! Depends on the illustrator, I think.

237

Comment by Reba

Tuesday June 15, 2004 @

OMG I LOL Mark! I have been using that phrase since the first time Mama read the book to me. Plus I would definitely have to say my little engine was red and it was she! I was born to be a femenist, what can I say! ;) Granted, purple is a decent sort of color for a train of such determination I would say. ~big grin~

I do so love your posts Mark. I’ve been so busy analyzing my whole psyche the last year that when I come here it’s like a wonderful breath of fresh air…granted via a playful kick in the pants to just get out there and live, have fun and RUN.

240

Comment by Mark

Wednesday June 16, 2004 @

Thank you so much Reba. I’m enjoying all of this too and I’m glad you are getting some enjoyment out of my ramblings! :)

571

Comment by Lynne

Wednesday August 11, 2004 @

LOVE IT!!! :)

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