What I’ve Been Doing This Summer: Reading, Writing, and Running

While relaxing and chatting with family and friends on the shores of Lake Michigan in early July, my friend Betsy suggested I provide an update on some of the things I’ve been doing this year. Thanks to Betsy’s encouragement, I wrote this post.

During the dark of winter, I was feeling a little sluggish. So I decided to do something drastic.
 
With some trepidation, I signed up for the Oregon Cascades 100-mile ultramarathon, a long-distance race in the mountains between Bend and Sisters. Although I’ve run several ultramarathons and marathons previously, I’ve never run more than 50 miles in a single effort.

Before I signed up, I was usually running about 20 miles a week. To prepare for the challenge of a hundred miler, I’ve ramped up my training considerably. This week I plan on running about 70 miles, which has been my weekly average since May. The training has been life-changing, and the consistency and volume have allowed my running practice to flourish.
​
In June, as part of my training, I participated in the Wy’East Wonder 50-mile race, an ultramarathon held in Mt. Hood National Forest. It was a spectacularly beautiful and awesome race. By my standards, I did well, finishing the race in 10 hours and 17 minutes, feeling strong and positive throughout, and recovering quickly afterward. For me, the goal of running is not perpetually faster splits, but the opportunity to move my body, better understand myself, and spend time in nature.

I listen to an audiobook for most of my runs, so I’ve had an opportunity to tackle many books on my reading list while on the move. I’ve read 30 books so far this year. Some of the highlights include Evicted by Matthew Desmond, The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber, and Bleeding Edge by Thomas Pynchon. I’ve also read some compelling running-specific books. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami, Endure by Alex Hutchinson, and North by Scott Jurek provided insight and inspiration as I endeavored to test my limits through the act of running. As my wife Greta can attest, I could talk about the books I read for hours; therefore, I won’t elaborate further here. If you’re interested, you can check out my Goodreads profile to connect and see what else I’ve read. 

I’m not teaching this summer, so I’ve dedicated most of my working hours to research. I’m currently writing a book on presidential norms based on the research I’ve conducted over the past eight years. Writing is also an excellent practice for those seeking self-knowledge. My daily writing routine is one of the highlights of my day. My review of John Robert Greene’s Little Helpers: Harry Vaughan, His Cronies, and Corruption in the Truman Administration was recently published in Congress and the Presidency. You can read the review here. 
​
Last month, I was honored by AFT Oregon with the award for “Outstanding Excellence in Activism.” As a committed labor advocate and proud member of United Academics University of Oregon, this recognition is incredibly meaningful. Over the past several years, I’ve endeavored to live out my values—advocating for working people, standing with the marginalized, and pushing for real change in education policy. 

I participated in four interviews over the past week. Last week, Newsweek contacted me to discuss recent shifts in rhetoric among some conservative Republicans regarding Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. KVAL 13, NBC 16, and KEZI 9 reached out to discuss redistricting, gerrymandering, and the Texas Democrats’ legislative walkout. It's been a busy week in American politics. 

Since I started at UO two years ago, I’ve given more than 70 interviews in national and international, as well as state and local outlets. My interviews have appeared in the Associated Press, BBC, Washington Post, Reuters, among others. For a few months, I even had a regular segment on one of the local Eugene NBC affiliate stations called Politics in Perspective with Dr. Chandler James. You can find links to most of my media appearances on my website.
​
Finally, I want to use my platform to help educate the public about politics and public policy. To reach a broader audience, I recently created an account on Instagram @run2summits. I’d love your help in this effort! If you have any questions that you think others might also have, or if you think of a topic that would be interesting to discuss on this forum, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m also on X, LinkedIn, and Bluesky. Let's connect!

That sums things up for now. Thanks for taking the time to read. I appreciate your support and interest. Until next time.