A few weeks ago, many of us ran 2.23 miles in honor of Ahmaud Arbery, a young man murdered at the hands of racists while on a run. Those runs for Maud mattered then; taking a step beyond awareness and into solidarity matters next. When I studied English literature and interdisciplinary humanities in undergraduate, my program pushed us to look beyond texts of the “dead white male” canon. We read Virginia Woolf, Oroonoko, Invisible Man, Edward Said, Persepolis, and similar texts. ...
Weekly Workouts: 40 (Humid) Miles
I ran 40 miles last week! I also ran 40 miles the week prior as well (and skipped posting due to the holiday). This week felt a little harder due to a sharp spike in the heat and humidity. Summer arrived in full force in the Midwest, although the weekend was milder and pleasant. Monday: Rest day Ryan and I took a couple long walks. Indiana is now in Stage 3 of reopening, so we walked Isla and the dogs one mile each way to the new dog park. In the afternoon, we took a long walk ...
Adjusting Your Training for Running in Heat and Humidity
After months of cold weather running, the summer heat and humidity feel like a shock to the system. When you are out running, they literally are. Your cardiovascular system works harder to pump enough blood to the skin to keep you cool. Faster rates of fluid loss can affect muscle function. Overheating can send a signal to your brain to shut down the run. Each year, no matter how many years you have been running, you need to adjust your training for running in heat and humidity as part of the ...
Selecting a Home Treadmill
A home treadmill is a luxury. However, for many runners, it is also an invaluable training tool. A home treadmill allows you to get in your runs regardless of the time of day, weather, or childcare options. You can run through snowstorms and heatwaves, before or after a long commute, or while your baby babbles in a nearby bassinet. During the COVID-19 pandemic, home treadmills offer an safe alternative to gyms or running outside in crowded areas. For some runners who prefer to be ...
Weekly Workouts: Just Keep Building
Last week, I logged my highest mileage and longest run since September 2018, with 38 miles total. I am playing a long game with trying to build as big of a base as possible. Whether my first post-baby marathon happens this fall or in 2021, I want to be ready to race it. Plus, I wanted for years to get my base mileage up into the 40s, but never achieved so because of the cycle of races and recovery. Now is the time to just keep building! Beyond running, this was an active week. Ryan and ...
How to Safely Increase Your Weekly Running Mileage
One of the simplest ways to improve as a runner is to run more. When executed smartly, increasing your weekly running mileage will make you a stronger, faster runner. When done incorrectly, ramping up your mileage will cause overuse injuries, lead to overtraining, and mentally burn you out before you even toe the starting line of your goal race. The key is to focus on a smart, sustainable approach to increasing mileage - and here is how to implement that in your training. Why Increase ...