A PROGRESSIVE SANDWICH

Though I usually shy away from afternoon runs, yesterday’s session was surprisingly rewarding. Phaedra had advised taking things slow, especially if the fatigue from Sunday’s run lingered. Setting out with an open mind, I was prepared to do as much as I could. And while I didn’t quite meet my 7.5-mile tempo goal, the run was genuinely satisfying!

My regimen consisted of a gentle 2-mile warm-up, followed by an invigorating 6 miles at a tempo pace, and a concluding 2-mile cool-down. What was intriguing was the unintended progressive pace: as the miles went on, I found my tempo gradually increasing – 7:49, 7:44, 7:41, 7:39, 7:32, 7:26. Perhaps the chilly weather was my subconscious motivator to wrap it up!

Here’s a curious thought for fellow runners: When you stop during your run, do you pause your watch? A reader posed this question recently, curious about the standard practice. Living in the city, I’m often halted by street lights, so I pause mine. There’s an ongoing debate about its impact on pace representation, but what do you think? Should we jog in place at stoplights? Share your thoughts!

Post-run, I treated myself to these fabulous Pro Compression socks:

Hot Tip: Avail a 40% discount on these (and other black socks) using the code JAN. For those in the U.S., shipping is free, while it’s $7 for Canadians.

The evening was spent tending to my achilles with some icing, enjoying Skinny Pop, and diving into The Bachelor episodes. A slight tenderness in my achilles post-run has made me a tad anxious since it’s a new experience. However, after some guidance from Phaedra, I’m optimistic about a speedy recovery. I reckon the intensity of my recent runs might be the culprit.

Quick Bites:

• The Phoenix Marathon slots are all taken! If you’re interested, some spots in the half marathon are still open.
• Tried a delightful butternut squash soup last week – highly recommended!
• Came across an enlightening article: 24 Must-See Diagrams That Will Make Eating Healthy Super Easy. Particularly, the Guide To Homemade Hummus is a revelation. Eager to try them all!

To end on an inspiring note, @paceofme shared a thought-provoking quote on Instagram:
“Recognize that you are exactly where you should be. Embrace it, and you’ll find peace in the journey, without yearning to be elsewhere. It’s all about grounding oneself.”

So profound!

Wishing everyone a rejuvenating Wednesday! 🌱🏃‍♀️