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Extraordinary Strides
10 Things We Wish Folks Understood about Running as Runners and Coaches
Ever found yourself in complicated conversations with relatives like Aunt Gladys who just can't seem to grasp your passion for running, especially during the holiday season? And what about those other challenges that come with the festive season, like finding time for micro movements or dealing with the dreaded "shoe shaming"? Buckle up, because we're about to take a sprint through these issues and more!
Running is more than just a form of exercise, it's a sanctuary, a therapy and so much more. It's about enjoying and appreciating the process, the rhythm and the power it gives us, not just achieving specific goals. This episode is all about celebrating this and helping others understand it too. We're also touching on how to balance running and family time during the holiday festivities, how to handle awkward comments about our performance or gear, and more importantly, how to keep our enthusiasm burning even when faced with the chilly weather.
We're not stopping there. We're also rebranding 'selfishness' for the greater good. Being a runner doesn't mean you're selfish. It just means you understand the importance of self-care and taking time for yourself. So, forget about the mom guilt, and let's talk about how to stay motivated during the cold months.
Let's discuss the importance of having a supportive network and an understanding coach. Let's celebrate the victories, relish the balance in our training, and remember the importance of treating yourself as a whole person.
So, join us as we run into the holiday season together, "sleigh" the holidays and, who knows? Maybe even Aunt Gladys will come around and join you for a Jingle Jog.
Want more information about our 28-day Sleigh the Holidaze kicking off on Nov. 20?
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Hey friends, coach Shelby and Coach Christine, welcoming you in and letting you know it's time for brunch, where there is always an open table, a hot cup of coffee, an endless running fun to keep you moving and grooving. So let's lace up those shoes and put a smile on our face and let's walk some miles. We are heading in to a jam-packed episode and we're also heading into a very different type of season. It is when we're going to be seeing lots of people who ask you how was your 5K marathon? Did you win your race and are you still doing that running thing?
Speaker 1:Well, we've accepted that our dear, sweet great-on Gladys will never understand the complex relationship that we have with running. It would be nice to be able to convey all the things that we wish they knew. So it got us thinking what do we actually wish that great-on Gladys would understand about our running and also us as coaches? What do we want our athletes to kind of know and understand from our point of view? But to save your sanity, we're going to go over all of those little bit of tips, tricks and how to navigate this, and we're also going to be unwrapping a gift that will keep on giving, month after month, year after year, as we have officially opened our doors for the Sleigh, the Holidays Challenge and unwrapping all of the goodies, since this will be our last challenge of the year, which is so crazy to say, christine, because I, how are we at the end of the year?
Speaker 2:It has gone very, very fast, but also super exciting. I think this is a fabulous time of year. Not only do we have a lot of the holiday fun in store, but it also gives us a great opportunity to kind of reflect and set ourselves up for success for the new year. So I'm super excited.
Speaker 1:And really are slaying the holidays, which I love that play on words. You know we love a good little bit of extra fun. Here at Brunch, we're going to be having four weeks focusing on carving out the time that you need, your sanity will desperately need, and it'll keep you rolling into the new year as bright as my little Shamish on top of my menorah. So throughout those 28 days of saying, we'll focus on those micro movements that can be fit in the mindfulness, with big payoffs and flexing the festive fun, because if we're not having fun, what is the point? People, we're going to be reframing and rewrapping your perception, your goals and plans for the new year and making sure that that holiday hustle doesn't feel like your tinsel is in a tango. So very, very excited. We have our group, we have one of our famous workbooks and let's talk for a second about the weekly recordings I mean time after time, with all of the challenges.
Speaker 2:what we always hear is that the weekly recordings are so much fun that really they tend to push folks a little past their comfort zones. It's that little bit of extra pep in your holiday step, if you will, and of course all of these things are really wrapped up with a little bit of extra time to love your elf. We of course want you to love on yourself during this time of year where everybody else kind of takes first billing. You're making sure that your great-grand out at Gladys has what she wants for Thanksgiving or for Hanukkah, and you're having to take so many other people into consideration. We just want to make sure that you make your way onto that list as well, because we know you've been nice all year long. So this is a way to keep showing yourself a lot of self-care during a really hectic time.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and while there are limited spots on our sled, be sure to go into our episode notes to get on the nice list and snag your spot, because we're going to ho-ho-ho-ho-fully have a lot of fun, even though we are going to have a lot of fun, but, as you would say, coach Christine, neither here nor there, because we also have an awesome episode on deck and maybe some of my sass is going to come out with some of these things that I wish people would know, aka extended family.
Speaker 2:Yes, I think this is definitely a time of year where a lot of us have to start justifying our need or our want to get out for a run, and maybe folks don't understand why we're tucking ourselves into bed a little bit earlier. But beyond that, it's something that we may face 365 days a year where our loved ones or friends or coworkers don't really understand what is this deal with running, and did you join a cult?
Speaker 1:So right out of the cave. The answer is kind of yes to all of it.
Speaker 2:It's a happy cult, though. I mean there's bananas and t-shirts, friends but besides that, there are so many poignant parts that we wish that we can impart as to why we love running. And again, we want to make sure that everyone knows we love you, regardless of how you're moving, shaking and grooving out there. But of course, running is our usual go to around these here parts at brunch. So, coach, right out of the gate.
Speaker 2:One of the things that I feel is very important for folks to know is that it's more than just exercise. It literally is for me and so many runners are sanctuary. It is quite literally where we can think all of our thoughts out, we can rehash throughout the day, we can make our big plans, we can process emotions, we can process thoughts. It's almost like half therapy, half going to church. You can immerse yourself in nature if you're outdoors. It truly is so much more than just a quote, unquote calorie burn to work off the turkey. It really is just something that allows you to kind of lean into being in control of your power, your rhythm, and I could wax poetic about it for an entire episode.
Speaker 1:It's like a love letter. I mean, you would think that we have full podcast dedicated to this one activity?
Speaker 1:Absolutely no, but it really is true and I think that's one thing that I personally always run into, as people thinking that running or exercise in general is just for weight loss or just for the aesthetic, and I feel like until you kind of have that epiphany, that movement is so much more. It's really frustrating for the other person to have those types of conversations because people all the time will ask how many calories did you burn? Have you lost a lot of weight? Have you done this? And especially during the holidays it can be really triggering for so many and it puts such a negative connotation on it and that's why it's almost like you want to tell people just go for one run with me, like, just try it.
Speaker 1:But people have so many mixed emotions and so many misconceptions that again, like you said, it clears my mind, it helps me be creative, it fills up my tank to exhaust myself and it really is something like no other. And again it might be biking for somebody else and maybe trying to find that little bit of parallel, to pick an activity that they enjoy and segue and try to show the comparison of. It can be a great way. And then again my non-chill self, or somebody after you've had a couple of eggnogs or maybe some. Manashevitz is just to yell I love it. Just get off my back.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's always a great way. I'm a big believer of that. People don't need to necessarily understand it, they just have to respect it. So as long as you are feeling respected in the process, that's really the most important portion of it. Just based off of that, coach, it goes right into the next thing for me is it's more than just miles, and we talk about that a lot here because there is a tendency when we talk about running for folks to think, oh, have you run a marathon? Have you run an ultra? Have you run a 10K? Have you run a 5K, how many miles do you go out for? I can honestly say I always get that question from my other half. It's like, well, how many miles are you running today? And it's like I don't know it really.
Speaker 2:Sometimes if I'm off season, it's about just enjoying myself out there. It's so much more than going out there and ticking off the miles like a to-do list. It's more about really allowing myself to kind of get out there and having that triumph over some of the doubts, also winning the argument that we have within our brain of do I want to go for a run? Do I not want to go for a run? I really don't want to, and then just kind of proving to ourselves that, yes, we can win that argument, we can use the higher part of our brain and do something that's good for us, and put ourselves on that to-do list of making sure that we're taking care of our bodies as well and our mind. So I think for me that's a big one. What about you, coach? How do you feel about the mile debate?
Speaker 1:I'm with you there. It's one of those two words. The mile number does not make it the end, all be all. And even another part of this more than the miles is, I feel like when you talk and you're asked about how many miles you've ran, it automatically does get put in the race category of like oh well, what are you training for? What race are you signed up for? And you know I love my medals. I am never going to turn down a participation medal.
Speaker 1:However, it's not about that. I don't have to be racing, I don't have to be running in a race to make those miles count Right? And yes, who doesn't get a little endorphins rush when you say, oh, I ran like 11 miles today or oh, I ran this amount? Like our ego wants to be proud and to be a little boastful and Kind of give the sea, I'm doing awesome. But that's not the day-to-day running that we love and we enjoy, and I love telling the stories of the really really hard runs or the really really good runs. And 98% of the time has nothing to do with the amount of miles I ran. It's about how I got chased by a cat randomly which, yes, true story, I did, freaking get chased by a cat. It's the fact that there was another runner and we smiled at each other and I noticed they're sure, and I was really excited because we have this connection. Like those are the things that get exciting for me, not that. Oh yeah, I went out and ran X amount of miles. Look at me, yeah.
Speaker 2:Well, and I think that's a thing too that, based off of that, I think we feel a lot that we shouldn't boast about our runs On social media, maybe, or whatever the case may be. And I'm going to say buck the trend, like, if that feels good to you to like, you know, just post a selfie after your run, do it. Yeah, you deserve to do so. And people may not understand, maybe they'll ignore it, but who cares? Because there might be that one person that you're inspiring. They see that glow, they see that happiness. They can even probably start to see that transformation of someone that you may have been once before and you're evolving because of your running and the confidence that it's giving you.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, it's definitely much more about the miles. I would say it's a lot of wonderful mindset that you get out there, so that's one of the really important things. But it's not quantifiable, so it's really hard to like for a non-runner to understand. Like, instead of saying I ran five miles, I ran five smiles today because I got so much smile and joy out of that run. So maybe we can start a trend. I mean, we're kind of making Shufi happen.
Speaker 2:Maybe, we can start rebranding it. Instead of quantifying it with miles or time, we quantify it with how much joy it gives us.
Speaker 1:And you give a good point Like we're not saying don't post that you ran X amount of miles today. That is not the point. But take a second and have that little bit of reflection that you know we love and say why are you proud of that mileage? Are you proud because you wanted to give up Is it? Are you proud because you didn't think you could keep going? Are you proud because you got out there very, very seldomly? Are we just proud of the mile number? It is so much more of that. So when we say it's more than miles, that's what we're talking about. That stuff that makes the miles exciting, not just. Well, I can't do the math of how many actual feet it is, but you get where I'm going with that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I totally get it. Let's go ahead and make the metric of joy more than like any kind of other measurable item, because we're not going to be very good at that. I'm still trying to make sure that I can convert kilometers and miles in my head, so I don't want to get into all that.
Speaker 1:I'll have to take my shoes off for that, I feel like to count.
Speaker 2:Where do you think? What else do you think that we, as runners, wish that people knew?
Speaker 1:Okay. So this is always so hilarious to me because everybody gives you pucky and poop sandwiches for running so much or for working out.
Speaker 1:But then as soon as you take a rest day, it is like your entire world is ending and it's when it goes back to you. You can't make everybody happy, like people are going to give you crud for running so much and working out. And then, as soon as you take a rest day, it's like oh, so you're not working out today. And it's always usually the same person, literally, and the spectrum yes. And it's like respect the rest days, I can't. I'm not an energizer bunny. I mean I might talk a million miles per hour, but that doesn't mean that I'm literally going to run a million miles per hour in a day. Mama needs her sleep. Mama needs a day of not pushing herself.
Speaker 2:You know what I think too for me specifically on this too is like really respected in terms of that means that our activity that day may be a little different, like I'm a really big into active recovery days, of course, and I know I also will always say that if you're training to the point where you can't live your life, then you're likely needing to revisit your training. But there are some days that maybe, especially during some intense cycles, where you really just need a really hot date on that couch and just use it to like truly restore your energy. I don't think that should happen necessarily all the time. No judgment if it does, but you would want to look at your training a little bit more so, of course, but I think that it comes down to it may be a really good thing for folks to see and maybe like encourage, so again, sharing with your loved ones that hey, if they see you having a little bit of a quiet day and you're sitting on the couch, maybe they should just bring you a snugly blanket, because that feels good.
Speaker 1:And that's usually always the day to our bodies Like let's go for a 10 mile hike. Let's go mountain biking at top speed, or I want to go inline skating or ice skating or whatever. It's like that's the one day everybody else decides to be active like overly active, yes, like can we just not?
Speaker 1:I'm like, or you're more than welcome to come the other X amount of days that I'm pushing myself. Right now, I'm respecting my rest day and that's a hard boundary to flex of. I need rest, I need to. Even if I'm doing an active recovery day, I still need to be more conservative and not feeling like you have to live up to this imaginary threshold. If you, god forbid, have to have a rest day, you can tell that one actually really hit my core and I wasn't expecting that one out of all of it to really just dig.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but it does right, like because we've been. I think that we should say that we should probably should say that right out of the gate. While we are coaches, we are first and foremost runners. Like that is absolutely like. This is. Everything on this list is something that we have personally experienced as a runner, and sometimes it hits harder than others. Sometimes, when somebody may be kind of, oh, you're taking a rest day and it's not a big deal, we can like slough it off, but there's days where we're struggling ourselves with that whole mindset of it's okay to take a rest day, so to have anyone make a comment on it in a way that kind of may be perceived at that moment as negative feedback does throw us off our game a little bit.
Speaker 1:So I think you want to push him out of the pace group. Yeah, like you can't sit with us.
Speaker 2:Yes, so there's a little bit about that where it's like some of these are struggle bus, even within ourselves. So that's where it's so much harder at times to kind of hear that external feedback and then we wish that people kind of knew. Just to kind of like you don't need to know our training schedule in and out. Just know that it's going to vary a little bit and we're going to keep you guessing. Which brings me to the next thing, and you already touched on it a little bit with the holidays coming around, the coming around the bend coming on hot and heavy, of course, is that we eat a lot and we literally, especially during high peak training it can be nonstop with our food.
Speaker 2:I mean, most of my marathon training cycles, I think I eat probably every three hours and I'm usually ravenous. So I could definitely sit down and put down quite a bit of food. And we want you, as a maybe non runner or maybe someone who hasn't necessarily experienced that, to kind of mind your own plate, my friend. Like you look at your plate, I look at my plate. You ain't got to worry if I'm going for seconds, thirds, fourth or fifth. I mean, it's my plate, my friend, and I think it's really important that folks start to know that it's really OK to fuel our bodies and that there may be days that are like external to what the normal is. So maybe that day, maybe something that we are consuming a bit more food because we did have a long run a day before, or whatever the case may be.
Speaker 1:And I talk about again. This is one's going to hit a chord guys. So who want to back up a little bit? Maybe turn the volume down a little bit to get loud? No one should be commenting about what is on your freaking plate. And I'm going to be sassy with this.
Speaker 1:I always have a little bit of a witchy comment when it comes to this, because when I used to go to big family gatherings, without fail, I always got comments about what was on my plate and you never know what somebody else is dealing with, what somebody else is thinking of.
Speaker 1:I mean, a couple weeks ago I got asked if I was pregnant and that was the first time that it ever happened to me and it definitely hit the ego a little bit. Not going to lie, but this is especially when us as runners and us as people have to know that that's somebody else projecting onto you what they feel and what they think. Don't sit there and fall into your mother-in-law saying, oh, that's a no, no food, because you're having bread. Maybe you take two roles, who cares? Maybe you have some turkey and you skip the sides because they don't appeal to you. Don't get into that trap of trying to fit yourself to somebody else's perception at the detriment of yourself. And this I feel like I went off in a little bit of a tangent of not just runner related, but this is a hot button for me.
Speaker 2:Well, I think this one specifically really touches on us as runners because we also, like we have a very close while this is necessary on the list, it's definitely an extension of this specific aspect is well, you don't look like a runner or just run a marathon and now you're eating a lot or you've put on a little bit of weight or whatever the case may be. There is a lot of that kind of anxiety around the holidays. I come from Hispanic family. Literally, nicknames are given to people on their body shapes. That's part of the culture. Not saying that it's acceptable. Part of the culture. It just is literally what I grew up with.
Speaker 2:Recently, just like you, had a conversation with somebody for probably an hour at the dinner table because I wasn't eating what they expected me to be eating and they couldn't let it go generationally. She's much older, so I totally, I totally get it Like it was. It's just a matter of going into it knowing they don't know your miles, they don't know what you have to do. They don't also know, like, the amount of food that it takes to truly fuel you to be at optimal performance. So it is really important that you walk into it with what other people think about me as none of my business kind of a mentality, and then maybe have a few nice ways or not so nice ways of letting people know to step off and whatever that looks like for you.
Speaker 1:And again it goes back to so many of our portions of being a runner and this list are so interwoven because people think that you're doing it just for exercise, so you in turn are trying to lose weight which means you should eat less, and it's this whole hierarchy of thought systems, and it's just one of those things like, yeah, I eat what I want. I eat what I need. You got a problem with it. This isn't your plate. I have zero chill anymore. With like comments about this.
Speaker 2:I think it's. It's always super interesting this time of year as to how that all rolls out. I've been very, very fortunate in the past few years where I haven't experienced it quite so much, except for that one external opportunity.
Speaker 1:I just stopped going around the family that said stuff like that.
Speaker 2:So that's an option too. That's an option too. I actually kind of I will say I kind of appreciated that little bit of an encounter that I personally had, because it gave me the opportunity to get back into that mind, your own plate mentality, especially when I'm working with folks or reminding folks. It like it happens at all times when you're not even expecting it Right.
Speaker 1:So you're across the right literally. I'm like just like that alarm clock when it goes off and just max your way.
Speaker 2:So well, let's talk about that. That alarm clocks like smacking us. This is the next thing that I think people do not understand, comprehend, want in their personal lives and we talked a little bit about that on the blog with what happens when maybe you are betrothed or in a relationship with someone who's not a runner and doesn't necessarily get it Well families likely not going to get that you're having to go to bed early after Thanksgiving because you may have a morning run the next day. Maybe you're training, so you have to go to bed even earlier for your race day that weekend. So this is something where I would love people to know that it's not that we don't want to be an active part of the holiday celebrations we absolutely do. It's just that there are sometimes where that morning run will take priority and it could be because that's the only way that we could fit it in that next day. Our rest of the day may be so packed that that morning run has to take priority and we have to get in some extra sleep the night before.
Speaker 2:However, I also think that it's super, super special to be able to get up in the morning and see the sunrise. Now, coach, we have not been shy that we run morning, noon, night, like our times just vary according to whatever's going on in our life right then and there. So I can say that I am not a frequent flier of the early, before the crack of dawn run club anymore. But one of the most special things about those morning runs was that serenity of seeing the sunrise. It literally going back to like why I'm so passionate about this wise morning exercise. It is just a beautiful way to start the day. So people may not get it, they're not going to understand why it's something that you really love. But that's where I would say they need to meet. They need to meet you for a little bit of a run walk or a little bit of a pre-dawn walk, because I think they'll get it when they realize how quiet the world is and how special and tranquil and how incredible it feels to have that.
Speaker 1:And again, like you said very transparent that I'm not an everyday morning runner, but it is so true to be able to just it's almost like you are rising with the sun, like the first little bit you're going to freaking hate, but then it just the whole world opens up and people also don't realize like, oh well, you can just go later.
Speaker 1:But, like you said, there's a million things to do. It's a lot harder sometimes to bargain with yourself after an entire day to go out for a run and we often joke we go out in the morning before our brains know what's going on. But it really is true. You don't have that entire day weighing on you like that five pound sack of potatoes that your family is going to comment that you want to devour it. Just it sets the tone and because late nights are a lot of the holidays, it is a very difficult thing for people to wrap your head around that I'm going to have fun, I'm going to do this, but I'm going to take care of myself and still get this in, even though it's the holidays, and seeing it as a I'm doing this and that, to where a lot of people take in that I'm doing this or that.
Speaker 2:Yes, there is no doubt where I think that's seen a lot. So this is a great time of year and I think, coach, that you have this tradition in your household. This is a time of year where, if you know, this is something that you're super passionate about and people don't quite understand it. Maybe signing up for a jingle jog or I don't know. Hanukkah AK, just especially for Coach Shelby, since she hates the AK.
Speaker 1:This is the only time AKs are okay with me, literally the only time.
Speaker 2:So taking that holiday theme, where it's usually a little lighter, there's not as much pressure. Most of those races are not timed, or if they are timed, they're not usually sweeping the course and making a family affair. So everybody kind of does get the idea of what it takes to be able to do those early morning runs, and it may. Maybe it'll make a difference. Maybe come July next year They'll be like I don't know why you're doing this. I can't really predict what's going to happen at the outcome, but what I can predict is that it allows you to try to merge a little bit of that family life or friend life in with something that means so much to you. So I'm a big fan of trying to bring people into the fold as much as possible.
Speaker 2:Another thing, though, that I think drives folks a little insane is the always planning, because we have so much going on, and for people who are booking races like a year in advance, we have to start thinking of travel. If it's like a runcation kind of a thing or out of stage or any kind of travel involved. We also have to really take into consideration our hydration, our nutrition. I mean I can't tell you how many times I will send out or receive a text like hey, did you drink your water today? Because there is a lot that goes into our schedule to make sure that we're running at our optimal performance, and I think that that is something that most non-runners don't get Like. I also don't think that they can't understand that we would need to know something three, four or five months in advance, because we may have a race schedule or we may have a training schedule. And well, again, going back to this morning running, those morning runs, we can usually work around it, but not always.
Speaker 1:Yeah, this was something that I've experienced. Love my spouse. He's awesome and he's definitely come a long way in learning the running game but, planning also to when you have the holiday parties.
Speaker 1:You have different hosting, you have different this, you have different that. Your schedule gets very hectic and you're having to plan ahead like, ok, I can move this run, but that means I have to do it over here. I get to do it over here because let's work on that reframing. But the bobbing and the weaving and you can't just half hazardly throw it together you need to look at that week coming up and being like, ok, we have Suzie's party this night, we have school performances this night, we have this day that we're going to I don't know again, great on Gladys for Thanksgiving and making sure that you can work your fitness and your needs within that. And again back to the rest day. It's like, well, can't you just take this week off? And it's like no.
Speaker 1:I can change around, but I'm not just going to take it off.
Speaker 2:So this is where I want to get into it again, not necessarily part of the list, but we can't get into it without it. We've already talked about the fact that there's quite a bit that goes into running. Let's call the elephant in the room out, where we are going to likely, if we haven't yet heard but at some point we will that our running is selfish and how do we address that? Because there is no doubt that there is a lot of that pressure to put this thing that we're super passionate about on the back burner during all the other things that get super hectic. And again, reminding that we are big proponents of running should not be something that takes away from your life in any shape, form or fashion. It should be adding to your life.
Speaker 2:But there are going to be folks that don't necessarily see that this is something that, in a lot of ways, kind of really is part of what makes you you. I don't feel as sparkly, I don't feel as centered, I don't feel as focused. For me, it really is an integral tool that I must use daily, like it's not not that I necessarily run daily, but I need movement to be the person that I want to be in the person that I feel best at. So how do you think that's something that should be addressed, because I think a lot of it too and all of these things. I'm hearing a lot of self judgment, like, like really, I wonder how much of this is like. Do people really really feel this way, or are we judging ourselves in this process?
Speaker 1:I think people make the comments and their surface level comments, but because we have the internal monologue, we grab onto that and it's snowballs from there. Totally guilty of it, but there was a meme that I saw and it said taking time for myself isn't selfish, but not taking time for myself and then screaming at my kids is.
Speaker 2:And Beautiful, yeah, so well said.
Speaker 1:It really is a kind of like you borrow time from here. You barter with this to make it happen so you can be the best you, and specifically with mom guilt. It's very, very hard when you have a kid like grabbing at you as you're trying to go out the door and people are like, oh well, just shut the door. It's like listen, that doesn't work. You hear the screams through the door. But it's not selfish to go out. You're going to probably for a good while and even at other times and you're a season of life, have to work through it, but it's not selfish to take time for yourself. And if you are struggling because of commitments and the time and again with the holidays again, doing those micro movements and those micro concentrated efforts are going to have a big impact.
Speaker 2:So this is where I'm going to say that we need to start rebranding the term selfish. And it's hard to do because we always, especially again and I know guys, you guys probably sick of me saying this, but you guys are it feels like it's something that I hear more from women than men. It feels like with the couples that I know that run together, I don't hear the men struggling quite as much with they're going to miss out on those morning dad duties. I was like mom does if she goes out for a run, so they kind of have to barter with each other as to who goes out for the run. But guys don't seem to wrap that guilt around most of the women that I know do.
Speaker 2:I think this is where, especially on the heels of our challenge kicking off and slaying the holidays maybe we rebrand it as being a little selfish. So not necessarily selfish, but just seeing that this is your time to maybe be a little bit more of just where it's all about having a little bit of levity, a little bit of fun, so that when you get back into your whatever your day looks like that day you do feel more prepared. At least there's a couple of endorphins running through your brain little oxytocin, so you feel a little bit more generous with your time versus so resentful that you haven't had that time for yourself.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 1:And another thing that kind of plays into this all with talking about finding that time, putting yourself first, not getting into that narrative, pushing it off, pushing it off, pushing it off this time of year, especially in the North, Northeast, the weather is going to be a barrier that everybody's gonna have to work over, even us Floridians, because we are babies when it gets cold and I'm talking about myself here because, again, under 70, I'm a baby but trying to keep your motivation up while again hearing the narrative of people who might not get it saying, well, it's snowing, why are you going? Oh, it's really, really cold, why are you going? And fighting against all of the reasons that are very easy to grab onto and pushing it aside to say, but I'm okay with it and this weather is safe for me, this is acceptable for me, and not letting that again be a big lump of cold.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love the saying that there's no such thing as bad weather but bad running gear. So, with our holidays of kindness here soon and, of course, we're gonna deploy that incredible Quick Fight series that you guys have been asking for another gift guide so we'll have lots and lots of gear suggestions for this time of year. And I know you guys may be thinking what do you guys know about snowing? We're gonna bring in the big guns, friends. We're gonna do our research. We're gonna talk to the people.
Speaker 1:I know yak tracks, I've learned. I've been around the running block.
Speaker 2:So we will definitely have quite a few things that maybe you could send to your non-runners that you need underneath that Christmas tree or during Hanukkah as a gift or just so you could buy yourself. So I do love that reminder. I actually also know that there's not one runner that I've ever spoken to that doesn't feel more of like a total badass for getting out there during a rainy run or even a cold run or a hot run and just honoring that commitment to themselves. So I don't think anyone else could really get that, unless if you are a runner.
Speaker 1:Well, it's like you look outside and it's like it's raining. It's like this is a slow drizzle. I always think of the line in Devil Wears Prada, where she's in the middle of a hurricane and she goes. It's just, you know, drizzling and that's like runners to us. It's like what other people think is horrendous. Whether it's like this is amazing I love a light rain it's just. It's like you're at Disney with the spritzer while you're waiting in line. It's just, it's oh, I can taste it. It's so magical. Okay, sorry, I'm back.
Speaker 2:Well, don't worry, we're gonna get plenty of it. The weather predictions for Florida is that we're gonna have a lot of rain this particular season. So, just so that you're aware, you'll have plenty of opportunities to have that extra, like badassery, of getting out there in the weather. So another thing and we've touched on this quite a bit, but I feel like it's super important that we mention it yet again that it's our passion for the sport that is unwavering, not necessarily just the metrics for the sport. So it is all about being passionate of the movement that really drives us, and that is something that non-runners have a difficult time. I know, coach, you mentioned that your dad tends to be very supportive but calls running a bit of like-.
Speaker 1:I'm a true rudger. I am a professional rudger everybody.
Speaker 2:And then my dad still hasn't stopped asking me if I came in first.
Speaker 1:So I do.
Speaker 2:I do know that for a non-runner and what I'm gonna have us again working on that mindset, knowing that a lot of our loved ones, most of our loved ones, are coming from a place of they're not meaning ill intent is to look at it as that they don't know a lot about running. It's not like they're listening to brunch. I don't know why they're not, but they should be and then they wouldn't be having these issues. But they don't necessarily follow it the way that we do. It hasn't become the cult that they've signed up for the Kool-Aid quite yet, so they don't know a lot to ask you about it and they wanna engage, but they wanna know how are your knees?
Speaker 2:Well, because they're very concerned about you and your knees.
Speaker 1:I mean I've never. My knees have never been a hotter topic. I mean, like man, like, maybe feet picks aren't where it's at. Maybe runners need to start doing knee picks, since everybody seems to be really concerned.
Speaker 2:I swear to you I don't think I've ever gotten that question. I don't think anyone's ever asked me about my knees, really Ever. No, I get peace a lot, I get where I came in and the race how many miles, but no one's ever asked me about my knees. And I wonder if? Probably because I would let them know, like I would whine about it, like it never hurts. You know, my friend, I'm telling you so have you been shoe shamed.
Speaker 1:No, have you? Maybe? Even though I do this straightening in my house, there's been a couple of times that I've been asked how many shoes I actually need, and then I respond with how much negativity are you spewing right now? I kept telling you guys, I am feisty. I mean you get to see like glimpses of it, but I am a feisty pants and I just wish that everybody understood. I need shoes I like the shoes. I don't okay. No, I do comment about how many fishing poles he has, but still it's the same thing.
Speaker 2:So is that generally you guys' conversation Like how many shoes do you need? And it's like, well, how many fishing poles do you need, and then both of you go to your respective corners and decide not to ask the other. Is that kind of the way it goes?
Speaker 1:Yeah, basically, even though he started getting like a shoe obsession. But yeah, mostly it's like if there's any comment about, like my running gear or how much laundry there is because of the running, or if my workout clothes smell, I'm like I'm sorry you play with sardines and put them on a hook. Do we really want to talk about smells? Or again, I'm sorry, I'm looking right now at at least 10 fishing rods. Don't come at me.
Speaker 2:So are you saying that's something that we wish that people would know? That, like it is what it is, we need them. Yeah, just get over it.
Speaker 1:Just let me have my joy and don't rain on my running parade unless it's a light rain.
Speaker 2:And again with the holiday gift series, there's gonna be some shoes for sale. Friends, we're gonna put those out there for sure. So you know you're gonna want to stock up. I actually see I will say I'm very lucky on this particular regard because I think that, if nothing else, maybe this is why people aren't worried about my knees. They know the importance of the shoe and the right shoe so that it does protect my knees. So usually I'm not shoe shamed on that. Definitely the plate thing. I've had to talk to folks about mining their own plate, but I haven't had an issue with getting a shoe shamed. I also hide my shoes though, so hopefully nobody's listening, so they likely they don't know to shame me on it. So I think these are all really valid.
Speaker 2:We want to hear from you guys what you think that you wish that people knew about running. So of course in the newsletter and we'll be adding it into our social media so you guys can populate it a little bit of fill in the blank. What do I wish people knew about running? But one thing that we have to talk about before we move on to what we wish that you guys knew as coaches what we think about their running is that support as a runner means everything. So just a text from a friend to ask me how my race went or how did your run go, or what can I do to support you in this crazy cult that you've joined in on?
Speaker 1:Do you?
Speaker 2:want tacos, all of those things are. Can I get to that warm, fuzzy, comfy blanket while you're sitting and watching your up? To like movies about running documentary kind of a thing? And the answer is yes to all of the above. We want our cozy blanket, we want tacos and we absolutely want that extra support. So I know again, we have this spectator kit that's available for download. If you guys are racing this season and want to send that to someone special, it kind of gives them everything they need to create a little bit of a cheer section and a little bit of how important they are and how much we appreciate them.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and I will say I've thrown them under the bus a little bit. But especially when I'm sore and I don't want to get up and have that active movement, he is always there to bring me a sparkle water and a half a peanut butter sandwich with M&Ms. So the support that is there.
Speaker 2:That's good as it gets. It's not a taco but I'm still taking it. I think it's better than a taco, my friend Cause then it makes the tacos.
Speaker 1:I don't know, tacos are pretty good Well that's what we wish. We knew, everybody knew, that taco is the real MVP.
Speaker 2:I think I've had them like at least once a week for the past few weeks. But that's either hand or there, Taco.
Speaker 1:Tuesday.
Speaker 2:Let's talk a little bit about what we wish that our runners and athletes and clients knew about what we think about their running, because I know right out of the gate that there are some misconceptions about what folks think that we are doing behind the scenes and that like peeling back the curtain of the Wizard of Oz. So what is something that you, right out of the gate, want to mention to your runners Like I was seeing you this.
Speaker 1:There's so much. I feel like we could do like a hundred of these. I mean we could.
Speaker 1:Okay so the first one, right out of the gate. I am never, as a coach, looking at anything and judging. I pride myself in being non-judgmental. As a person, but especially as a coach, I can say without a doubt, there is a 0.0% chance that I'm ever judging. If you cut a workout short, if you didn't hit the paces, if you've tried your best and you are feeling down, I'm going to pick you back up Because that's my job. I am here to support, I am not here to judge, to push my ideals, and that's not the first and foremost. I think people fear coaches because they think of us like the PE teacher shaming you for not being able to run that mile in school Again, hashtag definitely unpacking some memories and some stuff here, but it is true, I am looking at this of how we can work together and make you feel good. Me. It's not affecting me to see you go in less of a pace. It's affecting me that you don't feel good.
Speaker 2:Right, right. I think that that's super important, to know that it is. Best effort is what we're looking for, and best effort can change from day to day, so that's really the most important thing. I think I'm going to caveat that a little bit to say that, depending on what the individual's goal is, there may be a bit more of a conversation of why was the run cut short? What is it? Something that we need to look at. So there isn't judgment from a negative standpoint. There is metric focus in how we can be.
Speaker 1:It's troubleshooting.
Speaker 2:Yes, and how can we possibly look at what needs to get done a little differently from our side to make sure that you are set up for success? So I think that that's super important. I think that that's actually part of the reason why the next thing that I want folks to know and I cannot reiterate this enough we believe in you when you do not, which is why there is going to be some conversations about what didn't feel good about that run, or is this something that we could figure out? How to get you out for this cross training or this strength training? Because there's going to be a lot of times where, again, we talked a little bit about that inner chatter, that inner dialogue and the first half of this conversation. We know that you guys are experiencing that inner dialogue because we have that inner dialogue ourselves. I think.
Speaker 2:Over our spring training group, I remember specifically hearing from one of the athletes that she thought that the paces I had assigned were absolutely nut sell and I was like girl. I had the same conversation to myself, literally. I saw the exact same workout that I programmed for myself. I looked at my paces and I'm like I am out of my mind. But it's because I also know that having self-doubt is such a human experience, and more so when you're pushing past that comfort zone. So this is where we don't say that you should trust anyone blindly, but you have to know that we are here in assigning those paces or those workouts with a full belief in your capability. And that is really, I think, our primary goal is to be there for those moments of doubts that you guys are going to have, and they're going to be there during any time that you try something different, new or challenging.
Speaker 1:And that's a great point going into us, believing in our athletes and assigning those harder workouts, maybe assigning a heavier pace, maybe more reps, because it's also our job to push you, to see where you are at, what you are capable of. If we just prescribe workouts that you nail every single time, where are we growing? Where are we learning? What, as coaches, are we serving and what, as you as an athlete, are you getting from that? So we believe that this is a workout that is going to benefit you, and there's always a reasoning behind why we're asking you to do what we are asking and making sure that, like you say, we shouldn't should all over ourselves, or I can't all over ourselves. That's why we're here to give you that person in your corner who you don't have to explain the last 30 minutes of our conversation to. We get all of it. We understand the shoe problem, we understand the early mornings. All of that's already taken out of the equation and we're here to help you execute and do your best.
Speaker 2:Right, which is also part of the reason why it's absolutely pivotal, foundational for mental training. So, without a shadow of a doubt, so much of the training that we prescribe and program can seem at first glance not related whatsoever to running or improving your running performance. But when you are able to prioritize that mindset and that mental training, it will invariably pay off, not just on your racing performance or your running performance, but across the board, help you in a myriad of situations. So you likely will see again that we believe in you and that we're going to give you the tools so that you start to believe in yourself.
Speaker 1:And that's one thing I do love about the challenges is how it is interwoven, because I've heard from countless athletes that, even with our crown and conquer, if they didn't choose the blue path and go in the mindfulness route, they still took away parts of what was shared within the group. And Even with this challenge coming up to slay the holidays, it's going to have those again, those parts of it that are gonna make you stop and think and Check in with yourself, because again, going back to on that 11 mile long run, that mental game and all of those thoughts Will stop you a lot sooner than the physical barriers.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Which brings me to the next thing that I want people to know, and that's that your setbacks affect us too, and by that I mean we don't want you to think that you're walking this alone and they're only there to celebrate the good days or the great runs, but, quite in the contrary, we're here in as much as we wish that we could say that we're gonna extricate ourselves from all emotion. We're not. If you wanted to have that, there's plenty of AI type training programs that you could follow or you could pull off the internet, but for us we are there side-by-side, walking through the journey.
Speaker 2:So those Possible injuries, those higher stress times in your life, all of those things that may throw you a bit off the course, while we aren't necessarily there with you in person, since a lot of our folks are virtual coaching we do feel it, we do understand it, we know that it's going to impact your actual physical training. We don't necessarily separate the two things. We know that, again, going back to that mindset, that mindfulness, that and that self-care, that it goes hand in hand. So we want you to know that it's a safe space for you to tell us in regards to those kind of situations that may be impacting you, so that you don't think that we think that we're just a machine, and we want to make sure that you are treated in a way where you are seen as a whole person, with challenges and with disappointments, and knowing that we're there, right there, with you.
Speaker 1:And Matt goes into. One of my biggest things is open communication is crucial. Well, we always respect everybody's privacy and understand that you might not want to talk about x, y and z. If we don't know, we can't adjust. So I had an athlete who was on their menstrual cycle and they're like not to be TMI and I said there's literally no TMI.
Speaker 1:Like it happens, I menstruate, other women menstruate, it's just a part of it, and I was able to adjust the plan of how they were feeling and make sure to add in those extra recovery tools. I even had a whole yoga for period that I was able to prescribe because I knew Same thing with. I had another athlete who was having some unusual soreness and we were able to Walk back on the last run and kind of pinpoint where that soreness might be coming from, cultivate a plan to be mindful, extra stretching and Planned check-ins to make sure that that was just an isolated incident, not a precursor to maybe something bigger going on. And if we didn't have that conversation I would have been completely in the dark and I couldn't help. And that's where we are a safe place. This isn't stuff. While we may share anecdotes about athletes, we never give names. We never give identifying details.
Speaker 2:This is general stuff that we run into and we're not going to sit there and put a whole Instagram post together about what athlete a, b and c said verbatim absolutely, and I Think that right off the heels of that is that we are also Celebrating, right alongside you, those victories, big and small, and actually something that we have come to do here at TFB Is to have a little bit of a chat with hey, what kind of wins did folks have?
Speaker 2:And we love you guys to post about your wins, and Oftentimes it's not even the wins that you guys think. Again, going back to like what we wish people knew about runners, it's not always that you PR'd or that you Came in a specific age group placement, even though those things are awesome. I want to congratulate you and we're super excited about them. But a lot of times it's that, hey, you had a consistent couple of weeks or you were able to Add in some yoga. When you haven't been able to add in yoga in the past, we were able to tweak your schedule in a way that worked for you, or you were able to set a goal for yourself and achieve it, or you Didn't quite make that goal, but that you stretched yourself quite a bit. So we really are here to celebrate those victories.
Speaker 1:It gives us so much joy to be able to hear from you that you are feeling at your best absolutely and one thing that, going into how we celebrate the big and small victories, that also again applies to rest days. I love when my athletes embrace the rest days, whether that is that recovery walk or that light active movement, or they do snuggle up with the couch. Big reason why I include a rest day watch in my weekly activities that I log Because it's fun. It's fun to be able to rest and rejuvenate, rehydrate, not only physically but again mentally. It's like anything else. You can't stay on the grind 24-7 and I apologize to all my athletes because I've been on a sports documentary kick, so all of the rest day watches are getting the blood pumping. I think the most recent one was the David Beckham documentary Because it was so good and it's a perfect rest day watch. It gets you excited for your next workout but You're not physically doing said activity.
Speaker 2:Yeah, talk about extraordinary athletes. For sure, there's no doubt about that, which brings us to the next thing to be the best extraordinary athlete that you can be. It is about that balance and achieving that right balance. And now, coach Shelby and I do not necessarily see eye to eye on this word, but we see eye to eye on the different meanings that we have attached to it. So what it comes down to is again, especially in a training for a specific race goal, it is about getting that right balance and knowing that it's going to look very differently than if we're getting the opportunity to train with you for an off season. I mean, the difference between training toward a specific race goal versus a training for an off season and staying in the loop of that is literally night and day difference, and it's a good balance and it's such a pleasure for us to be able to do both, so we are able to create a lot of the strength that you need to take you from off season to new season, or to on season, if you will.
Speaker 2:So it is a lot about that. It's also about figuring out how it works for you, so knowing that your long runs may have to get split up into two different runs that weekend. It's quite possible that you just do not have that chunk of time to get out there for a 16 mileer, so we have to figure out a way to make it work for your schedule. Maybe it looks like also adding in some kind of cross training that brings you great joy, that it gives you more of an aspect of yes, I'll actually do this cross training versus just letting it sit on my programming and not pay attention to it. So it is about creating that balance of hard and fun and a little bit of sweet and savory, of course, as we do around here at Brunch Inn. Definitely a lot of spicy too that's peppered in, of course.
Speaker 1:Oh yes, just a little bit of pepper. Okay, a lot of pepper, I like my pepper. But while we might differ on how we view the word balance, there is definitely one thing that we see eye to eye as your health comes first. No matter the goal, no matter the PR that you're going for, no matter what we quote, unquote, think the plan should be. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will come over your overall health, and that goes for mental or physical. We will always put your health first. Even if that's a hard decision.
Speaker 2:It's probably again one of those aspects of where we are there for you to believe that that rest and that recovery when you aren't feeling well is going to pay off in spades versus pushing through. And you likely need to hear that externally, more so because you have an inner dialogue of worrying that you're going to lose all your fitness and that everything's for naught. And we're here to remind you that that's actually not the case. So that brings us into trusting the process.
Speaker 2:Now this one is a little difficult because I'm going to say right out the gate I do not believe in trusting anything blindly and I'm not of the mindset that because a coach tells you to do it, you should just go do it. I do believe that you should have a collaboration and a conversation if you have questions, but also for your sake, just for you to learning. So if you have questions about why am I doing this kind of drill or what's the purpose of this kind of a workout in the long game, that's again where that crucial communication is like, absolutely pivotal in the difference between you feeling engaged in a part of your plan versus just kind of blindly following and not knowing why you're doing what you're doing.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And if you want to just follow blindly, a Google search will produce 15 million different training programs and ways to do it. But again it doesn't take into account what you need as a specific runner, as a specific person, and trusting the process Again, I almost feel like it's trusting the partnership, trusting the coaching and trusting that communication. So again, I'm probably at saying this about I don't know, like 15 times. It's all so deeply interwoven and one portion feeds another portion, like how our strength training feeds our running and our running feeds our mental health. There's not one lane to stay in with this.
Speaker 2:Which brings us to the next thing, which where we always want to make sure that you guys are aware that we appreciate you for trusting us in the partnership and for building it as a true partnership, and that's where we are able to let you know that your passion totally fuels us. I can't tell you how often it puts an extra pep in my step or an extra little bit of inspiration when I see you guys like absolutely kicking ass, fault and taking names and setting yourself up for those big, audacious goals, even if it takes six months, a year, two years, three years, and you kind of just have to employ that grittiness of sticking to it for the long term. So I love how passionate you guys are and that we're able to to really put that to play to help best kind of travel, the journey together, side by side. I get goosebumps.
Speaker 1:when I'm on my athlete calls and I hear the excitement in their voices, I get literal goosebumps and I turn into a running geek after races and I'm like okay, I'm like awesome job First off.
Speaker 1:but before we go any further, tell me about it, because I want to hear how they recount that race, that run, that workout and even something like one of the cross training dance workouts. I want to hear was it fun? Did you enjoy it? Did you involve your family? Did you do it solo? Did you feel a little funny? Because not only is that communication so I can be a better coach for them, but you feel that excitement.
Speaker 1:And again, going back to, we're runners first and foremost we love movement, we love this exercise. We want to hear that you're enjoying because, again, that's the core of all of it and it does fuel me up, selfishly, because I'm like damn, I'm like I want to go out and run right now, even though it's like 10 o'clock at night, like I want to go now, I can't wait to lift, strap on my shoes tomorrow. Or hearing about how they're excited to be in taper for a race and how their mindset has changed from when we first start working together. It really is just, it's magical. There's no other way to put it Absolutely which, friends?
Speaker 2:that brings us to a conclusion and that both as a runner and a coach, we hope that you guys have picked at least one or two things that resonate strongly with you. But of course in that newsletter again we had that graphic. We can't wait to hear from you Maybe what we missed on this list and that you wish that folks knew. We also had our recipes. So I am loving a lot of the whole grains. I love pomegranates. I love just like a hearty, almost like a salad, but adding in that bulk and that fiber and those carbs. So dropping in a little team sweet with that sweet pomegranate vinaigrette. I am all about the Faro Bowl life right now.
Speaker 1:Do you know the trick to getting pomegranate seeds out of a pomegranate?
Speaker 2:I feel like I probably go around it just like super messy and you're going to try to tell me that there's a better way.
Speaker 1:There is. So okay, segue for a second. So you take it, you cut the pomegranate in half, you hold the pomegranate to where the seeds are hanging down over a bull and you take a wooden spoon or I think you can really do any spoon and you just keep hitting it. Like you can even work on your hand cadence at this point and just try to go really, really fast and see if your watch go ahead and registers that as activity. We won't tell anybody.
Speaker 2:Or you could just go to Publix and have it and be able to pomegranate, like already done for you, I mean you could, but we have cross-trained to get an in-straight training.
Speaker 1:We're working on our arm movements. We have some aggression that maybe we didn't get out on our run. We need to go ahead and just do what we need to do best.
Speaker 2:I do love pomegranates. I've loved them since I was a kid. I don't know why, as a kid, that I gravitate towards them, that I always have. So what's team savory bringing to the table my friend.
Speaker 1:So again, talk about controversial Brussels sprouts. I actually happen to really love Brussels sprouts.
Speaker 2:Me too.
Speaker 1:I'm raw in a salad, I'll eat them cooked. But on the brunch table we have a Brussels sprout salad and just give Brussels sprouts a chance, you're going to get super gassy, so maybe avoid these before a long run. Just a side note Maybe this is like before your rest day, so you're not as fart-licky as you might want to be. But easy prep they. Even at Whole Foods they sell cut and shredded Brussels sprouts, which makes this a breeze.
Speaker 1:You can add in some dried fruit. You can negate it. You can make some homemade dressing or get store bought, but it has cheese on it too, so it's never a bad thing.
Speaker 2:You can't go wrong with anything that's cheesy. Well, with that said, friends, again we hope that you do join us for the 28 days to slay the holidays. While we usually call it a challenge, it's so much more than that, friends. It really does absolutely empower you to feel supported, empower you with tools to use and also just a lot of fun. That was needed this time of year. So we can't wait for you to join us. Make sure you use that link in episode notes and we want to say awesome work.
Speaker 2:If you are out for a run, give yourself a high five. If you were just living your best life, listen in the lawn, give yourself a high five. And then, of course, as we already mentioned in this episode, you deserve to eat and drink all the things. So rehydrate, refuel with your brunch, tastic favorites and, while you're recovering, resetting for your next run. Maybe, even though Aunt Gladys doesn't understand it, we'd appreciate you take the time to subscribe and rate time for brunch on Spotify, apple, wherever you're listening to us and, again, share those graphics with us and use hashtag TF brunch on social media so we can continue to grow the community, one brunch at a time. Don't forget to check out our quick bites episode, drop in on Wednesdays and, of course, join us again when it's time for brunch. We're going to keep serving up more miles with a side of smiles.
