Status Updates From The First Four Minutes

"Given the choice between a solitary run and a series of meaningless and, for me, difficult exercises in the gym, I always chose the run. The result is that I still cannot touch my toes, but then runners never have to."

"I ran for it when I heard my first air-raid siren. I was ten and sailing my boat on a pond half a mile from home. At the first terrifying whine I tucked my boat under my arm, war or no war one had to retain a sense of proportion and of property. By the time the moaning crescendo reached its loudest I had taken to my heels. I imagined bombs and machine guns raining on me if I didn’t go my fastest."