Focusstrictly editorial

March 26, 2007

In 1986 I ran a marathon, slowly, four o four. In 1987 I ran another, much faster, four o three. In 2007 I ran yet another, loosely speaking, thirteen o something.

Loosely speaking, I said, very loosely. Call it 150 pages line edited, on a Sunday, a nice balmy sunshiny Sunday. I sat inside, staring at the computer screen, galloping across pages. Thirteen hours, nine miles through Rock Creek Park (that was the bicycle break), some 11.53 pages an hour.

I'm now reviewing what I did. Not bad. Impossible to sustain, but not bad. Good to know what one can do in a crunch. Focus. Why is it so elusive? Much more engaging to do seventeen things at once and get absolutely nothing accomplished.