Tag: running

No, Running Isn’t Always the Best Therapy

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn Inspiration, running, The Boston Marathon1 Comment

When my boyfriend broke up with me unexpectedly in the spring of 2016, I needed to do something drastic to deal with my emotions. So I signed up to run the New Jersey Marathon a week before the race in an attempt to qualify for Boston. I believed that the validation of a BQ would help me feel better about the whole ordeal, and maybe even help him realize what he was giving up. But instead of feeling amazing, I crossed the finish line with more than 10 minutes to spare, only to feel emptier and lonelier than ever before, enlightened by a depressing realization: Running—fast or slow — wouldn’t make anyone love me.

Running has been my go-to way to deal with my emotions—happy or sad, good or bad, positive or dark—since training for my first marathon in college helped me cope with the unfortunate combination of heartbreak and general life ambiguity. Phrases like “Running is cheaper than therapy!” and “I run because punching people is frowned upon,” are routinely splashed on running-themed bumper stickers, social memes, and apparel, and reinforce the idea that running offers a healthy mental outlet. Most major fitness publications—Runner’s Worldincluded—have publicly celebrated the sport’s proven advantages as a unique form of therapy.

I’m not here to discredit running’s ability to help improve mental health. Studies show that running can boost your mood, reduce stress levels, help manage anxiety, and be as effective as taking antidepressants. I am skeptical, however, about the degree to which we’re praising the connection between our weekly mileage and our emotional wellbeing. And that’s probably because I’m a runner whose mental health requires more than miles can provide: I also routinely see a licensed therapist.

Read the full article on Runner’s World.

Desiree Linden Didn’t Just Win The Boston Marathon — She Reminded Me Of The REAL Reason I Run

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn Inspiration, race recap, running, The Boston Marathon, travelLeave a comment

About two weeks ago, I saw something on my Facebook newsfeed that stopped me mid-scroll: the weather report for the upcoming Monday showed a light monsoon with teeth-chattering temperatures. On any other Monday, this type of disheartening weather would be, well, just another Monday. But it just so happened that this Monday was also the day that roughly 30,000 runners were planning to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, to Boston, an event formally known as the Boston Marathon.

As a registered runner who’d been training for the race for almost five months, I began to feel my excitement for the race turn into unease. Maybe it won’t be so bad, I thought. Maybe it will be like one of those snowstorms they make a huge deal about, and it doesn’t even flurry!

It ended up being a historic race for many reasons. Not only were the wet, cold, and windy conditions some of the worst many of the runners had ever seen, but Olympian Desiree Linden became the first American woman in 33 years to win the marathon. But more on that, later.

This was my thirteenth marathon, so perhaps I should have had an inkling that something would happen to throw it out of whack. I left for the race wearing multiple layers, a hooded poncho, and plastic bags secured with rubber bands around my sneakers. “It looks like you’re heading off to a day at a chemical plant,” my friend Laura joked as I geared up to face the elements. When I got there, the Athlete’s Village (where runners congregate before entering their starting corals) was worse than anyone anticipated: mud everywhere, puddles 10 Porta Potties wide, runners in rain getups even more ridiculous than mine. We laughed at the absurdity of it all — what else could we do?

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Nevertheless, I had trained hard for this race and was determined not to let bad weather stop me from reaching my race goal — a marathon PR, or a personal record. But even the most elite runners had eschewed their runderwear for full rain jackets, which is pretty much unheard of in the professional running world. Despite the universal setback, there was only one real solution: continue to move forward, towards Boston.

I’d love to tell you that despite the conditions, I crushed the race. That I didn’t let it phase me. That, gosh, I thrived in the harsh conditions, just like the men’s winner, “citizen runner” Yuki Kawauchi, who blew everyone away by besting the pros to become the first Japanese man to win the Boston Marathon since 1987. But alas, I did not (thrive, that is). I kept up with my goal pace until about mile 13, when I started feeling an extra tightness in my quads, and, was I just imagining it, or was the headwind more powerful now?

I had trained hard for this race and was determined not to let bad weather stop me from reaching my race goal

Read the full story on Bustle.

Race Review: Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn cold weather running, fitness trends, marathon training, race recap, The Boston MarathonLeave a comment

As most of you know, I’ve been training for the Boston Marathon coming up on April 16. It’s the first time I’ve taken my marathon training seriously in a long time, and it’s been quite a haul. Luckily, I have been working with a great coach, Christopher Baker. Even though I’m a run coach and hold many others accountable, I find it really hard to hold myself accountable when I’m planning for so many other people, so it’s helpful to have someone taking the guesswork out of my training. While the workouts have been quite grueling — and balancing them with everything else I have going on in life (work, school, coaching, attempting to have a social life) has been even more demanding — I’m happy to have a schedule and some kind of consistency in my life.

As a tune up, I ran the Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon on Saturday. It was a wonderful opportunity to see some real-time results of this training plan in action. A friend had suggested the race after the drawing results for the New York City Half came out, and while I didn’t have any desire to run another NYRR race, I liked the idea of a small town race in a new and different place. While the hills of the course were intimidating, I liked that there was no pressure to PR, and the idea of getting a race in before the marathon.

A few friends from The Most Informal Running Club, Ever (NYC), and I headed up to Sleepy Hollow via the MetroNorth train, and were able to walk to the race start from the train. The weather was chilly, but sunny, so it was nice to not freeze our butts off before the race like the runners in the NYC Half had done the weekend before. We even had time for our tradition of taking a photo in the Port-A-Potty (don’t ask why).

29512705_10216019860388257_44471192411846527_n Continue reading “Race Review: Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon” →

The Runner Diaries — Willa Tellekson-Flash

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn cold weather running, fitness trends, food, marathon training, running, The Runner Diaries, travelLeave a comment

Welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates. Get The Runner Diaries delivered to your inbox, here.

This week, we have Willa Tellekson-Flash, a 21-year-old runner, writer, and student at New York University. Follow along as she balances her senior spring semester course load, an internship, a whole lot of fitness and peanut butter, and training for a spring half marathon.

The Run Down:

Name: Willa Tellekson-Flash
Location: New York, NY
Age: 21
Training For: NYCRUNS Ladies’ First Half, March 2018
Occupation: Student, Writer
Following a training plan? I have a fabulous running coach 😉
How long you’ve been ‘a runner:’ Around 5 years
Goal weekly mileage: Currently around 30 mi

Runner’s Statement:

I always hated running as a kid. I got a terrible side stitch, dreaded the timed mile in gym class, and was convinced that I just was not cut out for it. It wasn’t until I joined the crew team in high school that I started to use running as a way to try to improve my endurance, and to stay in shape when I spent a year in France and wasn’t rowing. I haven’t looked back since, and even though I don’t race very often, running has become a huge source of joy for me since moving to New York for college about 4 years ago.

Day One | Monday

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6:30am — I wake up and have a glass of water and a ginger shot before my run. Everyone has the flu in New York right now, and I’m doing everything in my power to make sure my cold doesn’t turn into the flu. By 7am I’m out the door for a run. I have an easy 45-60 minute run scheduled for today, so I run 6 miles at a comfortable 8:30 pace, and finish with some striders and stretches.

8:30am — I have a jar of overnight oats for breakfast that I made last night since I’m in a bit of a rush to head to class. Since I’ve reached a point in my training where I’m running more miles than my non-training norm, I feel like I’m hungry all the time, so I add a big scoop of coconut butter to my oatmeal to keep me full until lunch time. I also have a concoction of hot water, lemon, apple cider vinegar, and marine collagen that I make every morning before breakfast. I don’t like coffee, so this is my version of the drink that makes me feel set to start the day.

9am — Off to class! This semester, I’m working on my creative thesis, which consists of me writing a Sex Ed curriculum that is far more concerned with students’ emotional well being than simple biology instruction, and I have to give a presentation on my project this morning. I grab a bottle of Pressed Juicery Green Juice No. 5 from my fridge (a splurge… they were having a sale!) to sip on throughout the day.

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11am — I don’t have class again until dinnertime tonight, and I find the library at school extremely sad, so I’m always on the hunt for places to work that don’t require me to purchase $7 matcha lattes. A friend and I head to Hub Seventeen, a free workspace in the Flatiron lululemon store to get some work done.

12:30 PM — Lunchtime!

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One of the best parts of working at a space that isn’t a café is that I can bring my own lunch, too. Using food that I meal prepped yesterday, I packed a bowl of steamed kale and green beans, roasted sweet potatoes and carrots, hard boiled eggs, sunflower seeds, and a peanut dressing that I made. I’m in general quite a healthy eater (I’m one of those lucky humans who loves vegetables), but I haven’t always had the healthiest relationship with food, so I try not to adhere to any specific diet too closely to avoid too much rigidity. That said, it’s easiest to describe me as a pescetarian. I do a fair amount of meal prep each weekend too, which helps keep me fueled and saves me a ton of money. I like to think carrying around my lunch and dinner tupperware counts as strength training too… 🙂

1:30pm — I pop up a block to Athleta to exchange a pair of running leggings for a different size. They have the best return policy… even though I bought these leggings a month ago, they let me exchange them no questions asked for not only a different size, but a pair with better pockets!

3:30pm — After a very productive afternoon, I walk home, have a snack, and do some more reading. I’m trying to take advantage of my last semester of college and the days when I have a little more flexibility in my schedule, so I curl up in bed for an hour with Bird by Bird, a great book on writing that I’m reading for a creative writing seminar, and a mug of vegan yogurt, granola (if you haven’t tried Purely Elizabeth’s Chocolate Sea Salt + Peanut Butter Granola, you haven’t yet lived… it’s that good), and blueberries. I do a little stretching and spend some time on my foam roller too, which is a bit of a challenge in my apartment as I seem to always knock something over, but my calves appreciate my efforts.

6pm— Back to school! My creative writing seminar goes from 6:30 to 9, so I bring my dinner with me to eat midway through class. It’s not all that different from lunch, but still tastes pretty darn good. I try to change it up a little, though, and have a bowl of quinoa, kale, green beans, carrots, turmeric tofu, peanut sauce, and sunflower seeds.

9:15pm — Today feels like it’s been a long one. I make myself a mug of peppermint tea, lather a rice cake with peanut butter and add some banana, and do a little more work for school.

10:15pm— I’ve started putting technology away between 10 and 10:30 so that I can properly wind down before I go to sleep. It’s tough to get myself to do it, because lying in bed and scrolling through Instagram can be rather tempting, but I’ve been sleeping so much better. I also diffuse lavender essential oil in my room at night, which makes the whole going to bed thing extra calming. My lights are out by 11.

Total Miles: 6 Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Willa Tellekson-Flash” →

Negative Splits with Coach EK, Volume II

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn fitness trends, headlines, Inspiration, marathon training, runningLeave a comment

Today, the second edition of Negative Splits with Coach EK, my running-focused newsletter, was sent out! Check out the below for a sample of some of the musings, workouts, and relevant running-related things you’ll find, and subscribe if you want to get them weekly!

The Run Down

What happened in the world of running this past week? Well, way more than I could actually ever address. But some highlights include…

  • The American Women’s 4×800-meter relay team broke the World Record on Saturday, right here in New York City at the Millrose Games. Their time was 8:05.89. As a high school 800-meter runner, the 2-min splits of the relay members are just gnarly to me. My best time ever was a 2:25 split, and I got beat out by a girl who peed her pants. Way to go, ladies! | via Runner’s World
  • Hawaii legislators were just denied a bill that would limit marathons and half marathons to the 18-and-over crowd under the claim that ‘distance running is bad for children.’ But here’s the thing — there’s no science to back that up. So, it got the boot. While I find it a little odd that kids as young as 10 and 12 are running 26.2 miles (I didn’t run my first marathon until I was 22!), I think it’s a much healthier alternative to some of the other activities kids engage in — like playing video games 24/7, or… uh, tackle football. | via Flotrack
  • TYSK* (Term You Should Know): “Plogging,” which is a Scandinavian term and practice that asks runners to pick up litter along their jogging routes. While I don’t recommend doing this during your next speed workout, your long run could probably use a few distractions…. | viamindbodygreen

    • *I made this up.

Worthwhile Reads…

Molly Huddle and the Perks of Running Dangerously

To be totally honest, I have been known to catch myself playing it safe in races. I know that’s not how to PR or really take advantage of my full strength, but I fear the alternative — which is going out too fast and possibly crashing hard later on. In this piece for Outside Online, Molly Huddle acknowledges “blowing up” (or burning out) in the last few miles of the Aramco Houston Half Marathon after starting the race at an aggressive pace. Yet despite her fade, Huddle ran a 1:07:25, breaking the American record.

  • TL;DR? Sometimes, it pays to take a risk — especially in shorter distances (read:not the marathon). No, that doesn’t mean you should be totally reckless in your next race. Even Huddle knew she wouldn’t be able to keep up that pace forever — but she wanted to see where the line was. So, I’m challenging you to find YOUR line. It may be uncomfortable, and you very well could bottom out. BUT, you could also break some (personal) records.

Workout of the Week: The Call To Adventure: 20 x 400m

This workout comes from Michael Joyner, a human performance expert at Mayo Clinic. I read about it in a Runner’s World article over a year ago, but haven’t had an athlete bold enough to try it yet (myself included).

The workout:

  • 20 x 400-meter repeats with a 200-meter recovery jog in between each interval.

Get the full workout (and the rest of the newsletter) here.

Is Strava Compromising YOUR Safety?

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn headlines, marathon training, running2 Comments

As a runner who is actively training for the Boston Marathon, I use Strava just about every day. Syncing my daily runs and workouts —other than Fridays, my coveted rest day — isn’t even a decision anymore. When I upload my run to my watch’s (the Epson Prosense 307 GPS) corresponding app, it syncs my workouts to Strava automatically.

There is, however, one continuous, unconscious effort I have to make — other than naming my workout something obscure or after a song lyric or quote that has been stuck in my head for the majority of my workout. And that is making my workout ‘public.’ I always click the master lock icon so that it shifts from it’s ‘locked’ position into an open one.

After all, if I just wanted to see my workout times and splits, I could just look through my watch history, or analyze data more thoroughly on the app.  But since I want my friends (and the larger athletic community in general) to see my hard work, I make sure each run, swim, and bike ride is visible to my friends and followers. (And to be totally honest, I also want the kudos. Really badly.)

A lot of runners and athletes have a likeminded approach when it comes to their training. Runners are instinctively communal, and competitive. We want the larger running community to see our efforts, and we want to see what others are doing to become faster, better, and stronger runners. And it’s not just our friends that Strava allows us to connect with — we can also track and follow along with the training and musings of professional runners (think: Allie Kieffer) and influential individuals within the sport (like Kelly Roberts).

I should also take into account that we live in the overshare economy, where nothing really happens if you don’t post about it on social media. (It doesn’t. DOES IT?!)

Regardless, we’re posting about our whereabouts — through Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and now, Strava — more often and more regularly now than ever before. The only difference between Strava and other social apps is that Strava maps out and pinpoints our exact coordinates — especially at times we’re prone to riding solo — as well as potential patterns in our schedules. And that can be a problem.

It’s definitely a problem for national security, as we found out last week that the fitness tracking app was outing sensitive data, like the locations of US soldiers and military bases, through its heat mapping tool. But it can also be a problem for your individual security.

While I’ve written publicly before about why I won’t stop running alone, even though it makes me feel unsafe, I don’t mean that it’s okay to be negligent. While I won’t advocate against posting and sharing your splits and routes to Strava, for a number of reasons — because getting #kudos is awesome, because I’ve used the app to discover new routes for long bike rides during ironman training, and because I think it’s a great way to motivate yourself and gauge progress —I will advocate for distributing and withholding your information in a smart way.

Like, putting yourself on ‘private’ for example, or managing your settings so that only people you accept can see your data and maps. Perhaps refrain from sharing any runs that could lead anyone directly back to your apartment or home (I try to stop my watch a few streets away from my doorstep — and, Editor’s Note, Nicole Gilbert on Twitter tipped me off to the fact that Strava has a privacy setting that actually allows you to create a privacy zone around your home, office, or whatever base you prefer). And if you run super regularly — like, always the same route, at the same time, every single day — maybe think about mixing up your route (at least, publicly) once in awhile to make it harder for anyone to track your behaviors or routine. While it’s uncomfortable to think about someone using what should be an amazing social running tool to take advantage of you, unfortunately, it is a possibility. Especially for women.

So do yourself — and the good PR folks at Strava — a favor, and check yourself and your sharing habits. There’s probably something you can be doing to keep your private information more secure. You might not be wreaking of sensitive information like the US military, but your safety is still pretty important.

Subscribe here for thoughts and musings from Coach EK delivered directly to your inbox.

The Runner Diaries — Max Beitel

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, marathon training, running, The Runner Diaries, travelLeave a comment

Welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates. Get The Runner Diaries delivered to your inbox, here.

This week we have 28-year-old Max Beitel. Max is currently stationed in Crete, Greece with the United States Navy. A long time weightlifter and fitness enthusiast, Max got hooked on running as an adult and finished his first ultra marathon (a 72k) in 2015. Today, he strives to balance living a healthy lifestyle with his thirst for adventure sports like trail running, rock climbing and canyoning (more on that, later).

The Run Down

Name: Max Beitel
Location: Crete, Greece
Age: 28
Training For: Living the healthiest life I can, physically and psychologically.
Goal race: You never know what race may be the one.
Training plan: Just winging it.
How long you’ve been ‘a runner’: We are all runners at heart. When we are born at first crawl, then walk, and as soon as we can, we run. Many of us get comfortable and succumb to social norms of stagnancy and stop running. There is a runner at the core of us all. Some just act on it, I suppose I am one of them.
Goal weekly mileage: Erm, as many miles as it takes to get me across the finish line.

Runner Statement:

I started running because of my brother’s wife (thank you, Lily!). When they started dating, Lily got him hooked on the sport, and soon, so was I. Up until then I was strictly a weight lifter, focusing on PRs and laughing at the thought of cardio. Our first race was a 7-mile trail race. My brother Christian and I finished 1st and 2nd in our age group. We may or may not have been the only two runners in said age group, but I’ll take it…

Soon after that race, I started getting into triathlons and focusing more on endurance sports. I joined the Navy in the fall of 2015 and found myself stationed on the most incredible island, Crete. I had recently discovered the world of ultra marathons and the ever growing trail running scene, and craved the adventure. Initially upon my arrival in Greece, the goal was to run the Athens Marathon but that was soon replaced by a 72k in France. Upon finishing the run, I was hooked.

Ever since, I have been using running to explore as much as the island I am lucky to call my home. I try to stay well-rounded and am also big on rock climbing and Crossfit / HIIT-style workouts. Although climbing tends to limit my running, I think the experience it provides is invaluable and I have no reservations about nixing a long weekend run for a full day of climbing.

My workouts, both running and HIIT workouts are a combination of knowledge I have accrued over the years through reading and Instagram. Sometimes I do a predetermined Crossfit WOD, but more often I do my own thing. Anything that keeps me on my toes, and pushing myself is a good workout. I try to make every workout full body but change up the movements. Sometimes I will get hooked on a movement and incorporate several workouts in a row. As far as running. I try to alternate my “hard” runs or run-workouts with “easier” slow paced runs. At the end of the day, I strive for an overall level of fitness.

Day One – Monday

0530: Wake up eat a Banana, drink some water.

0610: My morning workout is “Chelsea,” which is Crossfit lingo for:

– @ bodyweight 5-pullups, 10-pushups, 15-squats every minute on the minute   for 30 minutes.

My morning workouts vary, but I like this routine in particular because it’s quick, simple, and doesn’t require equipment.

0730: Breakfast is 3 Hard boiled egg(whites), half a grapefruit, another banana,1 avocado, half cup of coffee, one pancake.

0800: Start work.

0930: Get hungry, I have a bacon sausage double egg cheese tomato on whole wheat.

1100: Lunch time: Chicken, Rice, Large Salad

1400: Another half cup of coffee

1650: Run:

– 5 miles total: 2.5-mile warm up; 7 strides; :30s on, 1:30 off.

1750: Dinner: Pork chop, some mashed potatoes. Salad with chicken, olive oil, lemon and some blue cheese dressing.

1820: Gym time:

– 8 Weighted pull-ups @25#s, 5 single-arm shoulder press @50#s,5 handstand pushups,  decline ab work.

1920: I work on this Run Diary + have a shake (1 egg, two bananas, almond milk, orange juice) Pretzels, string cheese, more dark chocolate.

2000: Shower, stretch, catch up with family and friends back home (time difference struggle!), finish watching Dead Poets Society, and catch an episode of Bob Ross on Netflix

2200: Sleep time!

**Reflecting on the day, I realize I tend to do this — “this” meaning overdoing it. I do it to myself every once and a while when I feel good and motivated. I also eat the same things during the week so I will spare you further details. I try to eat paleo-ish but have no problem indulging. Life is too short not to enjoy the things you love.

Daily Mileage: 5 miles +/- 500ft uphill Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Max Beitel” →

Negative Splits With Coach EK

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn fitness trends, food, headlines, Inspiration, marathon training, runningLeave a comment

I’ve decided to start a running-focused newsletter: Negative Splits with Coach EK!

This digital newsletter will give you a RUN DOWN (pun intended) of timely news and trends in the world of endurance sports, coaching advice and tips from yours truly, and random thoughts and musings for a more productive, better, efficient, happy, wonderful life (at least, that’s the dream).

You can check out the beginning (below), the full version here, and subscribe if you like it.

The Run Down

A lot of stuff happened in the running world this week, but the biggest thing to happen was the realization that Strava heat maps might be compromising American military base safety. I want to write about this in more detail, but honestly, we could all probably check our security settings when it comes to our Strava profiles. Especially women. Do you run straight back to your front door after  a run?

If your profile is public, then your home is literally on display for the whole world to see. Consider making your profile private, not posting a super consistent and/or regimented running routine if you run alone often, or stopping your watch a few blocks from your actual home. Call me paranoid, but honestly, these are valid things to think about.

Other Headlines:

  • Will Carrying A Phone Affect Your Running Form? TL;DR? Actually, yes. I recommend not carrying a phone if you can help it. Smart phones have gotten SO HEAVY, it’s almost impossible for it to not weigh heavily on whatever side you are carrying it on (thus compromising your form). If you NEED music to run, invest in an iPod shuffle (or a cheaper option). Ditching your phone will also be less distracting, especially if you’re prone to getting notifications during a run. If you need to run with your phone for safety reasons — or for tracking your mileage — invest in a running belt and keep it there (inside a ziplock bag, of course, because sweat).
  • How To Strengthen Your Mental Game With Kara Goucher: TL;DR? The more I learn about coaching and sport psychology, the more I realize that your mental game can be just as, if not more important than your physical talent and/or strength. In this interview, Kara Goucher shares why she keeps a Confidence Journal, where she forces herself to write ONE positive thing about her workout, even if she has a terrible, no good, very horrible run. I love this idea — whether you apply it to your running regime, or your every day life in general. Finding ONE positive thing can help slow negative feelings from snowballing, and set you up mentally for a better tomorrow.

You can read the full version here.

The Runner Diaries — Edith Zuschmann

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, The Boston Marathon, The Runner Diaries, travelLeave a comment

Welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates. Get The Runner Diaries delivered to your inbox, here.

This week, we’re following 41-year-old Edith Zuschmann of Klagenfurt, Austria, a lifelong runner who has been lucky enough to turn her passion into her profession. The sports journalist and run coach is also the global CEO of 261 Fearless, an international women’s running network she co-founded with women’s running pioneer Kathrine Switzer. Zuschmann runs to find peace and freedom, and to provide herself with a healthy work-life balance.

THE RUNDOWN

Location:
 I live  in Klagenfurt, Austria but travel half the year for work. This week I am in Boston
Age:
 41
Training For:
 My life! Running is my passion
Occupation:
 CEO 261 Fearless Inc. & Sports Journalist
Goal race?
 I want to do some Swim/Runs and Mountain Races in 2018
Following a training plan?
 No
Part of any running communities, clubs or training programs? 261 Fearless
How long you’ve been ‘a runner? Since I was a teenage
Goal weekly mileage: No specific number – right now, it’s just about staying fit!

Kopie von Kathrine Switzer running_Photo Credit Horst von Bohlen (1)
Author Edith Zuschmann (left) and Katherine Switzer (right)

Runner’s statement: “Do what you love – and love what you do!”

Thursday – Day One

6am: As a running coach, I tell my athletes to not only run, but also to concentrate on core work. So, to practice what I preach, the first thing I do today is a 30 minute CORE program. All I need is my yoga mat.

6:45am: After a quick shower, I enjoy a high protein breakfast — porridge with yoghurt, nuts and fresh fruits. I take my time because breakfast is my most important meal. I also drink some Italian coffee — that’s my luxury as I just live 40 minutes from the Italian border.

8:30am: My working day begins, which is full of writing, Skype meetings, and calls. Mostly it is about 261 Fearless (pronounced ‘TWO-SIX-ONE Fearless‘), a global social running network for women. Our main mission is to use running as a vehicle to empower and unite women globally through the creation of local running clubs, educational opportunities, a global communication platform and special events. By utilizing these networking opportunities, 261 Fearless breaks down the barriers of geography and creates a global community for women runners of all abilities to support each other and encourage a healthy lifestyle, a positive sense of self, and fearlessness. I established this non-profit organization in 2016 with women’s running pioneer Kathrine Switzer.

Today we have to work on setting up our 2018 Boston Marathon Charity Team and work on several inquiries about our international 261 Club network. I also need to prepare for my trips to Boston and New York City.

Noon: Lunch time! It’s fall – and pumpkins are everywhere. Homemade Pumpkin soup is easy to prepare and so healthy.

6pm: I meet up with my 261 Club ladies for our weekly, one hour social run. 261 Clubs are the core of 261 Fearless, as these local organizations provide weekly runs for women and support them through their journey of finding, and keeping, the joy of running. The main goal is to provide a non-performance driven, judgmental-free running community.

Today we warm up with an easy jog. After 1k, we stop to do some strength training: push ups, steps, dips, and balance exercises.

Our running route continues along the beach. We laugh and chat together, keeping a relaxed pace so we can all enjoy the run together.

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7:30pm: I jog back home, snag a quick shower, down a glass of hot chocolate, and start packing my suitcase.

10pm: In bed sleeping.

Daily mileage: ~7 miles Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Edith Zuschmann” →

A Look Back At 2017

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn fitness trends, headlines, Inspiration, marathon training, race recap, runningLeave a comment

They say you shouldn’t look back — that what’s in the past should stay in the past; it’s there for a reason. Yet while it can be counterproductive to revisit the past in many contexts, it can also be a helpful exercise in growing and moving forward.

2017 was an interesting year, to say the least. Despite feeling stuck in a lot of ways, time progressed anyway. Things happened, deadlines came and went, and relationships grew and grew apart.  And now, the year is nearly over.

What I have to show for it all isn’t anything spectacular. It’s mostly etched in internet postings and race times. But I wanted to sit down and think about it all.

Below, you’ll find a significant story I wrote, blog post I published, or race/running-related result from 2017. Continue reading “A Look Back At 2017” →