Extraordinary Strides
Welcome to Extraordinary Strides, the podcast that celebrates the spirit of running and the inspiring stories of those who lace up their shoes and hit the pavement.
Here, we dive into the heart of what makes running an extraordinary adventure.
Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just starting out, Extraordinary Strides is your go-to source for expert tips, motivational stories, and the camaraderie of the running community.
Our episodes feature seasoned runners, coaches, and everyday athletes sharing their triumphs, challenges, and the joy they find in every run.
Join us for casual, uplifting conversations that will leave you excited to put on your running shoes and hit the road. We believe that every run, no matter the distance, is a step towards something greater.
So, subscribe now and join our community of runners who are making every stride extraordinary.
At Extraordinary Strides, we're here to inspire, motivate, and celebrate with you every step of the way!
Extraordinary Strides
Keep Going: Exploring Resilience in Running
Picture this: you're in the middle of an ambitious run, your lungs are burning, your legs are aching, and that tiny voice in your head is whispering, 'Isn't it time to give up?'
We've all been there, right? In this episode, we celebrate Never Give Up Day by reflecting on our personal running journeys, sharing the lessons we've learned, and revealing the strategies we use to keep going, no matter what.
We talk about the importance of embracing our individual paths, celebrating our achievements, and the influential role of community support in our running adventures.
Ever wondered what drives runners to keep going, even in the face of intense hurdles? We explore this question, drawing from our personal experiences, discussing the highs and lows, the triumphant finishes, and the challenging runs that tested our resilience.
Moreover, we delve into various strategies for finding motivation even when the going gets tough. We underline the significance of focusing on the joy running brings us, viewing it as an act of self-care and emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset.
Running is more than just a physical activity; it's a lifestyle, a community, and for many of us, a form of therapy. We discuss the value of accountability, finding the right coaching style, and how even small actions can lead to significant results.
We wrap up our chat with some fall vibes, sharing our experiences of volunteering at races, exploring new activities, sharing our favorite recipes, and the joy of being part of the amazing world of running.
Whether you're a seasoned runner or just getting started, this episode is filled with inspiring stories, practical tips, and a whole lot of motivation to keep you going!
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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 and endless running fun to keep you moving and grooving. So, wherever you're at, whatever you're doing, a little smile on your face. Lacing up those sneakers is optional at the moment, but don't forget that every day is a great day to get moving, which I mean kind of begs into the national holiday of the day. Coach Christine, am I the only one that sings? I'm never gonna give up. Nope, no, no. Is that a song? It sounds like a song, does it not? Nope.
Speaker 2:I think of Rick Astley's song Never Gonna Give you Up, which is how I feel about running. Like you just can't get rid of me running, even when you're mad at me. Like because you know we've both talked about how we have written love letters to running. We talk about our relationships to running, how there's eves and flows, very much like a partnership. So, yeah, that's the song I think about, but what's you sing more of your song? I want to hear it.
Speaker 1:I'm not singing anymore. This is not going to be a way to calm me into singing any more on the mic than I already do, which is pretty hilarious, because I said in the beginning, almost a year ago, that I don't like singing, but yet I probably have sang in some way, shape or form, in all of our episodes.
Speaker 2:Well, you definitely dance a little bit, you do a little shake out, so it only makes sense that you have lyrics going through your head. But as we release today's episode, it is officially Never Give Up Day, which I can't think of a better holiday that talks about being a runner. Like they didn't say this was for runners but let's be honest, it was for runners. They didn't say it wasn't.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So it really is true, because I do.
Speaker 1:I do love the sentiment of never giving up and even though, as runners, we joke about never saying never, I think it is a really poignant way, because what we might take breaks, we might take time off, we might have a little lovers' quarrel with running Nine out of ten times, we always come back to it, even if it takes us a little bit of time. So Never Give Up. August 18th it's the day to remind ourselves that you just can't kick for habits. So maybe you've had a little bit of a running hiatus. Maybe this is the sign you needed to never give up and never say never. And maybe we'll wait for a minute while you go, lace up your shoes and run to this podcast. What do you think?
Speaker 2:I think so, even if you have to just get started by first jump out there, go for a walk or start the treadmill in a slow walk and then see how it feels Like you could always pick it back up or you could keep it out for a walk.
Speaker 2:I would say, give yourself ten minutes, just ten minutes, and you're joining your friends because we're going to be chatting with you guys all the way through. We're also going to talk a little bit about the actual history of this day, because you know I cannot help it if there's ever something that I like to get into, like the details of it. And what I think is so fascinating is that the history of Never Give Up Day is one of these kind of scenarios where it's all about the extraordinary results of the human potential and definitely I think of a lot of things that motivate me. But what I find fascinating is that they talk specifically about the ancient Greeks believe that the body's desires, pleasures and pains were the key components and motivation for humans. Do you feel like that's the case for you when you think of desires, pleasures and pains? I mean, again, talk about running.
Speaker 1:But I think of the after-run hunger, the runger when it hits like that. To me, that's what that entire sentence felt like it was relating to.
Speaker 2:I feel like it is, like even the fact that it is challenging and while we obviously would never say, go out there and run in pain, but it can be uncomfortable and I love that aspect of running I say that here as I'm sitting in front of the mic versus actually being out on the run, and I get that. But there is something wonderfully satisfying of not giving up whenever it does get a little uncomfortable, or comfortably uncomfortable, shall we say.
Speaker 1:I have to ask do you find it ironic at all that the origin is coming from Greece and Greek when? The first marathon literally was ran in half an hour.
Speaker 2:Yes, perfect. See, they didn't want to say that it was for runners, but it was totally for runners. So I mean, they go on to talk about the fact that, even like, when you think of really great scenarios that come to mind, a lot of them have been had or we've seen them, like on the track or cross country or running so out of the gate. I know I'm kind of like throwing this out of the, throwing this out left field and didn't give you a lot of chance to prepare, but can you think of a specifically really bad run that ended up being super rewarding for you?
Speaker 1:Oh, absolutely no hesitation, my marathon. It was my first and so far only marathon. Really it was the hardest. I want to say I'm not safe for work word, but I'm going to keep it clean. It was the hardest fart like thing I have ever done. It was so. This truly was. It was painful. It was just a hot mess express, and I told myself repeatedly do not give up, just keep going, because I wasn't in danger of hurting myself.
Speaker 1:It was just it just sucked quite honestly, I was one of those people that I just did not all come together for various reasons. And after, though to this day, I am so proud of that marathon and I've talked about it before I was completely out of it. There's another runner next to me and we are both struggling and I said do you have it in you to jog it in? And she goes I really don't think so. And I said look, we've come this far, let's just take this hundred yards and go for it.
Speaker 1:And I have my finished photos of her and I sitting there looking at each other and smiling as we're crossing and to this day, it is my best finish ever, Because for me that's what it was all about and it just it fills me up every single time. Did you cry?
Speaker 2:Not at the marathon. After crossing the finish line.
Speaker 1:I don't think so I did cry during the marathon I cried to my dad. It was to my poor dad. No, I don't think I cried. I think I was so purely exhausted that emotions were not working. They had called in sick and, like, went on a coffee break or something, they were just gone.
Speaker 2:You lost them around mile 14.
Speaker 1:Maybe Actually, I think that I swear. I think that's actually when I started crying and my dad saying that it sucks so bad.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I think that usually after the half marathon point is when it starts to get really real, like you are halfway done but you still have halfway to go. It was a looped course too, yeah, your course that you chose for your first one, I think, is one that requires a lot of resiliency of the brain, because something about knowing that other people are done and you got to continue oh, talk about gut wrenching Difficult. That's literally when you question every single decision you've ever made.
Speaker 1:Do you want bad race day photos Like I can see the photos of. Like I'm smiling, but I'm dead inside, like there's nothing happening.
Speaker 2:You've kind of touched on it a little bit in the past. But I'm curious, if you want to talk about it, if you're comfortable talking about it what really triggered all of the things to kind of not create a good marathon day for you. If you're willing to talk about it, oh, yeah, I love the open book.
Speaker 1:So earlier that year I had gotten COVID for the first time and it really hit me like a ton of bricks. And then I got sick again just as I was getting back into my training group and I got sick three weeks before the marathon. So it was just not the epitome of health and a lot of my long runs, my training had just fallen by the wayside and while I knew I was okay to run it, I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. But for me at that point it became so much more than time or game plan or whatever. I just wanted to go for it. And it was really just one of those. Life happened, life got in the way, a lot of variables I couldn't control. So I trained as best I could and as smartly as I could with the hand I was dealt and made a calculated and educated quote. Unquote risk.
Speaker 2:So a couple of questions that come to mind. Were you able to do any of the really like peak long runs, or did you have to skip all the peak long runs?
Speaker 1:I think, if I remember correctly, I think I only got one peak run, peak long run in, so I had a really good base, but I just did not get the longevity of the miles that I needed to ultimately.
Speaker 2:Looking back, what do you wish? That shall be that you now know new, then.
Speaker 1:Well, if there's really anything I wish I would have known because I feel like I had a pretty good handle, in all honesty, as a runner and as a coach, of what I was getting myself into If I had to pick something, I'd say that I knew I was going to actually finish, because there were quite a few times I really did not think I was going to.
Speaker 2:While you were on the run or leading up to it.
Speaker 1:While I was on the run Okay, I would say safely from mile 16 to 26.2, that was a pure mental battle, over anything else, of finding wise to push myself forward.
Speaker 2:So the first time I volunteered at a marathon course was the Space Coast Marathon course and I was set up as like a road course Marshall and I decided that I was going to make a sign and I was going to put the sign right next to me so that I could do my course, marshall stuff. And it was probably around mile 20, 20, I think maybe 20 or 22 of the marathon and I remember I like I crowd source, like what's the best possible motivational quote that I could have it for me at this point for folks that are running the race, and what I ended up settling on was if you made it to the start, you'll make it to the finish, and I remember so many runners like saying thank you because that was something they needed, that reminder of right then. And there, as you're still not quite there, you still have pretty much a 10k to go. So that brings us to our game of the week.
Speaker 2:If you want to call it a game of the week, or maybe your task of the week, friends, is to share a favorite motivational quote, or maybe crowd source and find out what folks are using to motivate themselves for their long runs or what do they need to hear and then share it with your circle or share it with others. I think that it's such a great opportunity Don't worry, we will definitely be doing that inside of the time for brunch community page. But we want to hear from you guys what some of your favorite motivational quotes are, or a note of encouragement. I think there's a lot to be said of writing a personal note of encouragement for somebody that you know is training and maybe hit some a few little rough patches, and it could just be as a simple as a text or a quick note on messenger or email, or if you want to hand write a note, go you. We love snail mail.
Speaker 1:That reminds me of somebody in the Facebook group sharing that, after they got back from their long run there I believe it was their mom presented them with a voucher to cover their hotel fees when they went to one of the bigger marathons. Yeah, it was their running group. It is very sweet. Oh, it's a running group. That's what it was.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was their running group. Yeah, and that is amazing. I think that would have definitely made me cry and tear up and well up, it's super, super beautiful. Yeah, I think that there's some wonderful ways. Maybe you can't afford to do that. Maybe it's just again sending them a text or sending them a note or something they could have as they're leading into race week or on that race day, or let's say that it's not even a race, that folks are just kind of struggling, especially with it's still being summer, still being warm, still being hot, having their schedules disrupted and needing that encouragement, that this to show pass. And you know, if they get laced up and get out there, they'll make it to the finish, even if it doesn't look pretty. So, with that said, we're going to talk a little bit about some tactics, tools that you can use when it maybe feels like you want to give up, which I also think there's not one runner in the world who hasn't felt like they want to give it up.
Speaker 1:Oh, I feel like it's kind of natural. Like anything, whether it's work, play, relationships there's always some times where things are less than stellar and I think it's human to have that moment of is this even worth it? Like, why am I doing this? And I know I've added in my own running. There are times to where I question, saying like is this really what I want? Like why, why am I putting myself through that? And we talk a lot about the why's. But sometimes and we talked about for motivationally, go so far that that will power sometimes only goes so far.
Speaker 1:Sometimes you do have to push yourself out. There's a lot of logistics that come with that and I think this is a really solid group of tips to kind of have in the back of your pocket, back of your runner's belt, to pull out when you are coming back to running, starting over or even, on all honesty, just struggling with the. I kind of do wanna give up. And I've used these.
Speaker 1:I know I've said to some of my one-on-one athletes that, hey, I think this could be really helpful because we all have those seasons and especially right now we're knocking on that back to school era for those with kids and it's tough and there's a lot of bobbing and weaving and a lot of compromises that are having to be considered. So my first and foremost, always my tip the hardest one of all, I feel like is accepting where you're at and because we love running, I mean, hey, you and I talk about this all day, every day, and it was something I had to kind of remind myself that it doesn't mean I have to think the sun shines and rises and sets with running. I have to just kind of give myself some grace and accept that I'm in a season to where I might not be in love with it at the moment, but that's okay and I'm not gonna give up.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think that is really important, and I think I also wanna make sure that we are talking about the fact that where I think folks may have difficulty, too, is sometimes life. Maybe you are coming back from that injury and it feels like you are hesitant to say that this is just not the right season for you to come back to running, and I saw I wanna make sure that we make that we give that definition, where folks like if this is just not your season, then it's okay, it doesn't have to be running specifically. I'd like folks, though, to definitely dig deep as to what is the motivation, as to why they are hesitant to get started, and is that because they're comparing themselves, like you said, to a previous runner, or is it because they have fear of how they're going to perform, or fear of how it's going to look with others? And that's something that I know we're gonna talk about in the way to kind of to help you get back out, move in and groove in.
Speaker 2:But one of the things that, for me, I like to run with folks and something that I had to get over was when I am in different seasons of my training and it may not look as strong as it was before going out with that group. I will have to let them know Like, hey, I'm definitely gonna need to take a lot longer walks or more frequent walks, or whatever the case may be. So I think it is just again, as you said, accepting where you're at and being willing to put that out there to others and letting them encourage you when it's hard to encourage yourself.
Speaker 1:So that is a really good one, and especially because you are a runner's runner, that you go with groups and everything, I think that's a really important piece to touch upon.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think that can be really scary for folks in terms of fear of. I guess the right word that comes to mind is, like Brene Brown, shame is like a shameful aspect of I shouldn't have we start to chuddle over ourselves. I shouldn't have gotten this far behind. I shouldn't have. I should have started earlier, I should have restarted earlier or I should be faster. So I think accepting where you're at is such an important one, because it does help you to minimize that aspect of taking out the shoulds and just being really okay with where you're at and leaning into the people who can help, because every single runner has been there, whether they're restarting because of an injury or because life happened or they decided to actually take a season off. There's a lot of folks who take certain seasons off from running altogether and it still looks kind of gritty when you first get back to it.
Speaker 1:I do have to laugh. You are throwing around the I word like nobody's business. Yeah, I don't even know if you realize that, like you're very cavalier with it.
Speaker 2:Literally. The other day on my run I had like a little twinge and I was like it's not because I've been using this word, Because that's the paranoia in my brain. No logic whatsoever in that. Just, I don't know, I don't know, no, but it really is.
Speaker 1:And not beating a dead horse, but it is numero uno for me. Just call a spade a spade, it is what it is. And one thing that really helped me personally embrace that is it's yeah, it's not ideal, but I've already done this before. I went from never being a runner talk about that word never to being a runner, falling in love with it, making it my life's passion, my life's work, and I can do it again. There's enough love there, there are enough bright points, enough bright parts that I can do it again. And kind of flipping that script of saying, instead of shitting all over yourself, and it's like I should be able to do this again, I can do this again. I have done this before. And really working on that mental training that I know you and I both preach a lot within the group and the one-on-one coaching of using that framework and that frame of mind to propel ourselves forward in a physical aspect.
Speaker 2:So, yes, mindset, I think, is invaluable, especially when you're getting back to it. But I will say that this is one thing that I utilize personally and I suggest it with athletes, and that's where I have implemented a 48 hour rule, and that means I getting back to consistency is the one of the most foundational aspects of getting back to it and not giving up or throwing in the towel. So for me, is utilizing the 48 hour rule and the 48 hour rule I've actually changed it a little bit of, tweaked it for myself, because I noticed that it was still creating a little bit of a laxed attitude. But the 48 hour rule is you don't allow yourself to go more than those two days without any kind of physical activity.
Speaker 2:Notice, I say activity, not saying running doesn't have to be a run, but I do believe that there's a slippery slope when you're getting back to it, where you tend to be, I'm using you and just anybody, or anybody would potentially be like, oh, I can't get to it today and we kind of will have a good reason, and tomorrow comes and there's another good reason, and that third day get out there, like, even if it is a five minute walk to the mailbox, even if it is finding a Zumba workout on YouTube, just because if you start to allow that third day get into a fourth day and then it could be a Tuikaitis it gets so much harder. So one of the beautiful things about never giving up is that it actually I won't say it gets easier, but it doesn't get harder, if that's the right way of phrasing it.
Speaker 1:Why do I feel like 48? Isn't there a 48 hour special?
Speaker 2:There's a crime, murder show or something, probably probably, but it's a 48 hours, the first 48 hours that's what it is.
Speaker 1:Is it that your inspiration?
Speaker 2:Yeah, no that's why you say that. But yeah, so the first 48 hours are crucial with solving any kind of a crime, because so much can go down in those first 48 hours. And again, when we're talking about kind of thinking about the psychology of our brains, we could always come up with really great justifications as to why not to get in our workout for the first 24 hours that second day in a row, unless if you're fighting back illness or, again, there are certain seasons in life, but I'm talking about the average every day. Usually it's because we're not putting ourselves to bed early enough, we're watching TikTok or we're watching for me some kind of a true crime or a spooky story that's going on too late and so struggling with getting back to that routine. So I think that for that routine to happen, that 48 hours becomes really, really important.
Speaker 1:And I am gonna say this with the most love and everything Just if all it's feels run naked.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I agree. I just talked about that with a friend.
Speaker 1:Yeah, just yeah, go with your friends, run naked. It's great for the soul, and you all know what I mean. Not actually running naked, even though, again, hey, maybe a naked 5K is exactly what you need. But take off the watch, leave it at home. You don't need it, you don't want it. Don't give yourself another reason to like. You said, christine should all over yourself. It doesn't matter. Set a timer on your phone for X amount of minutes and don't care about the pace, don't care about the distance. Just go out there and take away that extra barrier of another reasoning that can get in the way of making that progress and moving forward.
Speaker 2:Yeah, which I think that is a really great point of, like you said, setting a timer on your phone, where I would rather folks first focus on that consistency. I do think that going by time versus mileage is really important, but I'm gonna say that sometimes, when we're struggling, there should even be something more simplistic than that, and it could be. Do you remember when you first started running and I don't know how you what you utilized to start running as your training plan? I used to a traditional C to 5K, a couch to 5K that a lot of people tend to use.
Speaker 1:I didn't use anything.
Speaker 2:Well, then back in that day.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I was the gang that couldn't shoot straight. I just was like I can do this. It's running, it's so natural. Yeah, no, it don't, and I do not recommend.
Speaker 2:Did you go by songs because a lot of people do that, and that's what I'm going to suggest where they'll like run for the like chorus of a song, or they'll run for a song and then walk the next song, or did you just literally go by? Feel from day one?
Speaker 1:I literally went for. I feel from day one Don't do that.
Speaker 2:Don't be that.
Speaker 1:I, just I. I laugh now how green I was and I'm like why did you do that? Like you made it so much harder than it needed to be. Yeah, Um, I am a rebel without a cause. In some aspects of my life I have no idea. There's no rhyme or reason. I love the song idea, not just because I'm a music person. I love the song idea. Um, I do utilize mailboxes a lot for people who are running in their communities, lamp posts, any, any of those things. Songs can be challenging depending on where you're at, just because most songs are like two, two and a half minutes, like you can't stare away to heaven, and that's why I got some chorus or whatever the case may be.
Speaker 2:But actually what I would suggest is even more than that is, if you you know that running is something that you're capable of, you've got to pass that stage. It's just a matter of not being as consistent or you're having difficulty getting excited that you are considering taking an extended hiatus. I would suggest where you find something that you enjoy to get out there for for that duration of that time. So for me it usually is an audiobook where I'll check out a chapter, or I tend to, when I'm in training, not listen to as much music, just because I don't want to rely as much on that BPM to impact my cadence or whatever the case may be. But still, when I am having difficulty, like I've said, summer has always been my Achilles heel because it is just so incredibly warm I find things to really enjoy going out for my run.
Speaker 2:So for me it may be listening to my friends on Marco Polo. That was great. I did that for a long run a couple of weeks ago and it felt like I was able to really get into their conversation and really be in a very active, reflective listening mode. So when I finally did respond back to them. It felt very like I was part of their lives, like they were out for a real run with me, or I definitely love, love, love, love audiobooks. It's like audiobooks podcasts. I mean, there is just this little podcast called Time for Brunch.
Speaker 2:It might be exactly what you need to keep going out there. But with that said, if you are out for a run, we want to give you a huge high five because whether you're in your first mile, whether you're just getting back to it, or maybe you're running 200 miles because you're in marathon training, we want to give you a huge round of applause for not giving up. So just keep rolling and grooving.
Speaker 1:my friend and I think another big portion too. While I joke about signing up for the naked 5k, it is a slippery slope because a lot of people, a lot of runners, use racism's motivation and while it can be a great tool when you're getting back into that consistency, when you're getting back into a groove with running, I don't primarily love to rush into signing up for a big race. Well, maybe a 5k here. A 5k, there can be great little mini goals. I don't suggest going and signing up for a half marathon or a full marathon and having these big, audacious goals to work as the dangling carrot, because I feel like it can also have that negative impact to where it feels so insurmountable to not only get back to it but then to have these big races or these big distances hanging over you. I'd really I'd like to approach it more as that little bit of a stepping stone portion and then use those as smaller dangling carrots.
Speaker 2:You know what that reminds me of what you just said, and I want to talk a little bit about it, but what it reminded me of is, back in the day, buying something that was too small because it would motivate me to get into it oh really. It's the worst diet culture thing ever.
Speaker 2:Yes, but, what it really would have did was like petrify me, frustrate me, get like super, super, unmotivate me, basically. So I again, I and I. I know that folks still do that in the. You can have to dig deepest to what your motivation is. So that's where I would really say that working with a coach is phenomenal, because we will kind of help you strip, not kind of. We will help you strip past what may be the easy go tos of oh, I'm just going to sign up for a race and coach.
Speaker 2:You know that I've actually been talking about that recently, where I am having a bit of a mid running life crisis where, because I'm done with the majors, I don't have any really big goals that I'm super excited about, but I've been very hesitant.
Speaker 2:I shouldn't say that I'm being very mindful and very thoughtful of being consistent for consistency's sake and waiting until the right time comes for me to decide on that big, audacious goal Because, again, not putting something out there that is just so overwhelming that I can't give it my all or feels like it's what everybody else is doing, what the cool kids are doing, necessarily. So, yeah, I do love that and I think that for you or whoever's listening right now. If that is something that motivates you signing up for races again once upon a time that was the only way that I could stay consistent with signing up for races I get it. We see you, we hear you, we love it. You probably need a metal hanger by now, because you probably have tons of them that you're accruing. But besides that, it's also kind of digging a little deeper as to what are the reasons that you love running outside of those medals or that race day feeling, because I think that there's a lot of value in digging deep into those as well.
Speaker 1:And I have to say, even though I do have races hanging out there that I have signed up for, I did not sign up for them to keep me motivated. I didn't sign up for them to push myself back into where I quote unquote should be. I signed up for them because they did excite me. They're fun, they're new, they're exciting, they're different, and it gives me that I'm not going to be excited. I just love feeling again when I go back out on my runs that no race can ever give me.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I would agree, yeah, I would agree.
Speaker 1:Feeling that exhaustion, feeling that little bit of runners high, feeling that that great moment when I'm done with my workout for the day, that's something that no medal can give me. And if I can't encapsulate that, then again I have to look a little bit deeper into my why.
Speaker 2:Yes, so that's definitely the case. I will say that. One of the things, though, that I want to caution folks against and I'm not coming across as getting on my soapbox, my friends, but it is my microphone so I can if I want to One of the things that I find and I won't say it's a pet peeve, because, again, I understand that everybody has different motivators where we tend to put off our ideal perfect run for that perfect day on that perfect Monday on you know where. Like it makes me think of the Mean Girls, like what's the perfect day kind of a thing, or was that Mean Girls, or was that your?
Speaker 1:no, that was geniality. Yeah, mean Girls, on Wednesdays we were pink and that is a law that we should all abide by. Yeah, I'm just saying.
Speaker 2:I'm sure with Barbie that stuff would be in the case again. But it's quit waiting for that perfect day, that perfect Monday, or you're going to start whenever, I don't know, the stars align and it's a perfect 68 to 72 degrees with a partly cloudy sunshine, so that you could still have a little bit of sun but not necessarily worry about a sunburn. Those days are about probably two to three days per year. So if that's what you're going to put, hang your like, hang your hat on. Likely you're never, ever really going to get back to it. So not waiting for those ideal conditions, I think here in Florida that's something that we have to take into consideration a lot, because if we did wait for ideal conditions, we probably would only run three or four months out of the year.
Speaker 1:Well, even one of my clients right now, even one of my athletes right now, they sat there and they attempted the hill workout that I had prescribed and put in, and it was hella high and they still tried. And they said, no, tried, it couldn't do, it had to scrap it. And I respected the heck out of them for trying, for saying, all right, I know that these conditions aren't that great, but at the same time, I went ahead, I tried it didn't go my way, went ahead and subbed it for some easy miles. I love that, not to overuse our phrase but I love that because, instead of seeing it as a barrier, they tried, they reworked it and they still got in their workout, even if it wasn't exactly what it was on paper.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think that everyone, whether you're training in summer or you're training in winter, if the ideal conditions are not prevalent, then what you have to do is learn to give it your absolute best, and I think that, at the foundation, is what never giving up is all about. Never giving up isn't necessarily where it looks perfect and you've hit all of the program's paces or you nail every single workout, but, more importantly, that you're consistently giving it your best, and I think that that's really what goes back to my 48 hour rule. It's more so if is this an excuse or is this really? I need to just give it my best, and my best may be just lacing up and getting out, even if it doesn't, even if it's a walk. So for me, that is something that I tend to gravitate towards.
Speaker 2:Again, as I mentioned earlier on, I definitely lie to myself a lot. We're all say, hey, just go out for, go out for a five minute walk and see what happens. Usually, that five minutes does turn into my actual run. So that's that works out well. And again, finding those little, those little ways of tricking ourselves to get out there and to remember that we just have to dig deep.
Speaker 1:I mean, heck, I use my dog. I'm like the dog needs a walk. The dog doesn't need a walk right now, but I need a walk and it's a very convenient excuse to say, well, a dog needs it, so I'm doing it for somebody other than myself. The dog gets a walk in and I get some movement in.
Speaker 2:You know, I want to talk about that because recently one of the elites did talk about in, and I don't remember exactly what you lead it was, but they talked about a, I guess, basically a study that had been done where children of parents that are active tend to be more active themselves and tend to have a healthy relationship with their body. Do you feel, like, as a mom, does that help you to stay more motivated, to be consistent, like because I know you've talked about your very conscious of the words that you use around your child, of course, like actions are such a big thing, so do you feel like that's something that motivates you? Because it's not, you're not doing it for yourself, but you're doing it more for your kid.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'd be lying if I said that it didn't because you want to be that quote unquote model citizen and that's why not only like you said in my very careful of the words that I use but I never, I never go out saying I have to go run so I can have x, y and z, or I have to go run so I can fit into this shirt, that shirt it's always. I'm going to go for a run so I can feel good. I'm going for a run to feel strong. I like what running makes me feel and I always talk about it in a very positive way and I really, really focus, not only when there's little ears around, but I focus on I get to run, not I have to run, and I know that's overused a lot, but it really is such a poignant way to flip the script and, like I said, like trick your brain into seeing it as a positive versus a negative.
Speaker 2:I think this goes back to again, with women specifically, or caregivers, if we don't want to make it gendered so much be it that they're caregiving for raising a family, or a caregiving for older folks or somebody who just health wise, needs caregiving. There is that sense of guilt and there's that feeling of selfishness and it has to. You have to learn how to reflip that script as to you're giving them a better version of yourself when you do take time for yourself. So I know that I recently saw a post in a running group community about that where they felt like at this point they just felt like their running had become super selfish because it was taking away time from their family, and it just made me think about the fact that we really do have to be more mindful as to how we approach that inner dialogue so that we realize that we're actually doing those loved ones a favor by getting out there. I know I'm definitely doing a loved ones favor because I am not the nicest person without my runs.
Speaker 1:And then something that I do definitely want to talk about, because we talk a lot about having fun with our runs and taking the pressure off and honestly, that's one of the ways I try to quote unquote play the game is I'll let my kid take the scooter or run, walk with me and include her. And it's not ideal sometimes Not going to sugarcoat it but for the days where just that motivation isn't there, that will, that want isn't there sometimes, rolling it back and including her makes all the difference and it does help to inject that fun, that lightheartedness, that love for movement again. And not letting myself get hyper focused on all the other aspects I could like pace or cadence or heart rate, I'm just going out and having fun with my kid. It might last five minutes, it might last 15 minutes, she doesn't care, my body's happy that I'm moving. It helps to build that consistency and what's wrong with that? There's nothing wrong with that.
Speaker 2:So I love that we're talking about this because I think that this also gets into one of those conversations. So I have an athlete that I've worked with in the past who loves hiking. So she tends to substitute a lot of her runs for hikes and her hikes are very strenuous because she's in the Smokies, so it gets into. While from a coaching perspective, there is a rule of specificity and of course you're going to train to the specific discipline that you want to do the best in. So of course, if you're looking for a specific time, you're going to try to get in more miles. But if you're looking at being healthy and happy and if that hike helps you to get time on your feet, if that walk helps you to get time on your feet, if that all dance day party that you have with your kiddo during the summer because you're trying to juggle mom and being an entrepreneur and a coach and everything in between, then throw out that rule of specificity and get in that time. That's really what it comes down to.
Speaker 1:And we see that a ton on social media nearly who we've had in the show. She has her son ride around his bike on the track. Brandy Brandy has her kids sitting there on the track rolling around. Tracks are at least more controlled, I'll say, than the sidewalk, so it's a lot better. I braided the sidewalk. Yes, I am a glutton for punishment, but it really it makes it work and it does show them that movement is something good for you, not something that you do as punishment. And well, yes, ideally we wouldn't do stuff for others, we would do it for ourselves. We also can't bury ahead in the sand and pretend that sometimes you need that little extra, little extra kick in the glutes.
Speaker 1:But how do you kind of interject the fun? Because, like you said, you're in that season right now, to where it's not exactly the most exciting, since you don't have that, for me it has been, I think coming off of a training cycle where I did not listen to anything.
Speaker 2:I would go out without music or any kind of audio book or anything and just kind of focus on form and cadence and my paces. So for me it is more of now. This is my season, where I get to listen to things and at first when I went into it, I would probably listen a bit more to the music and then I realized that, as much as I do still love music, I need something that's a bit more compelling. So why probably? You know we have a podcast, I love podcasts, but also gravitating towards the audio books that kind of leave a bit of a cliffhanger so that I can. I personally won't listen to it until I get back out there for my run. So if there's nothing else that will compel me to go out for a run, it's like, well, I get to listen to the next chapter and I can't wait, or whatever the case may be.
Speaker 2:So for me that's a little bit of again, you know I love running socially. That's been something I've implemented for this summer. Very, very, very important for me to get back out there. I don't love running early in the morning that my local running group does. So I've found a few of the folks that are willing to kind of Goldilocks it with me, meaning they won't run maybe as late as I normally would by myself, but they're not running at 445 am, so we're running kind of early mornings for me. So that helps because, you know, just having somebody to talk to, and then I do play a lot of games along the way and maybe it is, you know, playing with the music that I'm listening to or looking at, looking for different things, like we've had in the past, like little bingo type scenarios. I chuckle and giggle every time I see a Porto potty because I think of folks taking their selfies with the Porto potty's from the bingo card.
Speaker 1:I don't think Porto potty's has ever been as popular as when I, again, so off the cuff, decided to tell the world that I don't use Porto potty's, and it took on a life of its own.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I still think it's about as amazing as your dog net using the bathroom until it gets home either. Like seriously just saying we're anomalies.
Speaker 1:What can we say? And I, the audiobook is a really, really good way to kind of like you said, you know, like you said give that cliffhanger. It's such a good tip that I'm not going to be offended that you don't just listen to me for hours and hours on end Like you just don't want to hear my voice all the time I know you do, shelby.
Speaker 2:I listened. I probably listened to us more than I think any human ever has, ever. I guarantee our family doesn't listen to us as much as we listen to ourselves.
Speaker 1:I talk to them and they don't listen to me. I'm like everybody just zones me out now apparently.
Speaker 2:It could be. I wonder if that's part of the reason why there are a lot of runs that I don't listen to anything because of the fact that I'm either being and listening in our audio so much. But yeah, I think that there's a lot of that. You know that I've also. I'm a big fan of accountability, so I'll send somebody a text and I've done it. We've done it together. We're all like, hey, can you hold me accountable for my run today? Because I, you know, just saying, this happened. I wasn't able to do it this early in the morning. I'm going to have to fit it in somewhere and again it gets back into those. We can always find reasons to not fit it in. I know I can, like there's always something calling my name. So it's very, very, very helpful for that. And we've actually have our training group working with accountability partners right now and our accountability groups, which I think is a lot of fun and a great way of of helping yourself to get that consistency going and not giving up. How about you?
Speaker 1:A lot of ways to us as coaches.
Speaker 1:We are built in accountability.
Speaker 1:Partners Cause, again, we, we put out the training plan, we check up on them on final surge. We do all of this and it's our way of holding them accountable, saying this is what we've programmed, we want to see these workouts come in and, while we never approached from a way of shame or of anything of that nature, if I see a couple of days where there's been an activity, yeah, I'm texting the athlete, I'm saying hey, I'm checking on you, what's working, what's not working, how can we make this happen? And sometimes, exactly like we've said in this entire episode, sometimes it's reeling it back to where it's just hey, I want you to give me five minutes, I want you to give me one round of strength training, I want you to give me one mile, whatever it looks like and that's a part of our job that I hold very, very sacredly is it is not my job to shame or to make you feel bad. It's my job to help you make that effort for yourself, and it's something that I do hold very, very dear.
Speaker 2:Well, it's another thing that I think kind of sets us apart from a lot of the other coaches is that we also find what our athletes specifically need. So from having, I think, a probably a longer, longer onboarding, specific way of approaching things to when we work with our one-on-ones, making sure that we provide them with the style of coaching they need, by having them kind of take assessments in terms of what motivates them, what kind of keeps them going, what helps them to get those habits really entrenched. We do a lot of that positive habit change, reinforcement. I'm not going to get into all of the science stuff, but at the end of the day, it comes down to you.
Speaker 1:Your science isn't going to show. I would love to.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh. But I don't think we have enough time, unless the folks want to go out and train for an ultra, because, yes, I could talk about this the neuroscience aspect of changing and rewiring our brains ad nauseam, because I love it and I'm geeky about it. But, needless to say, that's what we get to do, so that you guys don't have to worry about it. You can worry about enjoying yourself on that run or having that workout so that you can nail those paces if that's the season that you're in, and I do love that too. I love the fact that we've got folks that are in different seasons and are able to kind of approach it with what season they're in.
Speaker 1:And I think it makes a good ying and yang. And even if you're not in our training group, you're not one of our one-on-one athletes. Definitely come into the brunch Facebook group, because social media well, social media can be a little bit of a beast of its own. The good parts of social media really do make it worth it. And seeing everybody share in there, seeing everybody share their strength workouts, their runs, their walks, everything in between, I see that clicking, I see that connection and that small little seed that you see while scrolling through Facebook in the morning, that seed grows throughout the day and all of a sudden at night, before dinner, you're like, yeah, I'm going to go take a walk, I'm going to go ahead and go to the gym, I'm going to go to my Zumba class, I'm going to do 10 minutes of core before I take my shower. And those are all the little portions that you might think are small, but they're actually huge in the grand scheme of things.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think that's such a great point and also one of the things that we both love and what we do, and friends. One of the things that comes to mind is, as you're hearing us talk about this, is the fact that why never giving up is so important, and the thing that comes to mind that I can almost not ever forget is one of my favorite sayings is that a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. And when it comes to running, that is like such a powerful movement because, realistically, those perfect seasons I think I've had one. I've had one phenomenal season from start to finish, where nothing came up. I didn't get sick, I didn't have any kind of caregiving responsibility that would require to change things around, and it did.
Speaker 2:I'm not going to say it didn't net a really good result come race day. However, it didn't also teach me about the resiliency that I would need, the commitment that I would need as I continue to grow as a runner. So if you're in those rough patches, maybe those rough seas do lean into the community, lean into reaching out to us. We're here for you, we've been there, we've run that kind of a thing, or it may be just that you need that reassurance of this isn't the season. So, whatever the case may be, I love again tapping into the community and let no man or well man or human is an island. I'm just going to speak in all silly quotes and metaphors for the rest of the day.
Speaker 1:Oh well, I've got another one for you because, as you were talking about that and saying about kind of connecting, and it reminds me of Catherine Switzer About if you lose your faith in human nature, go and watch a marathon.
Speaker 1:If you're losing your love of running or your zest for movement, or however you want to phrase it. It's a great time. Also, go volunteer at a race. It doesn't have to be a marathon, it doesn't have to be a run at all. It could be a triathlon. It could be a bike I almost had a bike run. It could be a bike race. It could be anything. Go and volunteer. Go and volunteer. Watch that greatness as a spectator. It does wonders for your soul. I still get goosebumps thinking of when I volunteered for one of the triathlons here and it was so rewarding to cheer for somebody else, especially because I had been there. I had done that. I've had that struggle and being able to be that person cheering them on it really does solidify that you can do it. We just need to keep believing and literally putting one foot in front of the other.
Speaker 2:That's also where I would suggest why I love it in person. So, yes, go do that. Plus, it's so good to give back to the running community that has given us so much. I also would say that this is a great time to maybe even tap into one of our previous episodes where we shared some of our favorite running movies and running books and running podcasts. I think it was Movies, books, podcast, oh my, I'm not really sure. I don't remember the exact name of that, the title of it, but it's a great time to get motivated by reading a really good, inspirational story of somebody, of a runner, who's been there, done that or been there run that, as I said before, or a really wonderful movie and I know we're sharing a movie of for each specific major during that series that we have going on right now. So do check those out, those quick bites where at the end, you get kind of a movie that's indicative or inspiring for that specific race.
Speaker 2:But there really is a lot to that is tap into one of our previous episodes. Tapping into if you don't have, like we're never ending wells, that's just not, we're not. That person like you will dry up. So you sometimes need to, and I say that to you, coach all the time where I'm like I'm not feeling very inspired, be it content wise or work wise, and that's time usually when you need to go ahead and like Slow it down and start finding inspiration from others, and so I usually do it by reading or watching documentaries. I think you do it by like just getting out and tapping into your creativity, your artistic side.
Speaker 1:So, again, when it comes to finding those motivations allowing yourself to really like tap into all of those other resources out there, and sometimes that also means truly letting yourself take a step away from the running and maybe signing up for a new activity, a new class. I know we've talked about going rock climbing at one of your local places, which I am still totally down to do, but maybe for you that looks like a cycling class, a boxing class, maybe it looks like, I don't know. Maybe there's yoga lotteys about a thing.
Speaker 2:I know there's yoga and pilates, but I think there's yoga lotteys or I mean folks could always check out the 30 J Foxy, feisty, fierce that does have kickboxing in it and some strength training and all of those really fun aspects, but no, truly any kind of the group fitness that, if you're able to get out there or again, there's so many wonderful resources online too you could check out.
Speaker 1:And that's, I think, again, the whole, the whole. Everything is throwing out the rule book of what you think it has to look like, Feeling like you have to fill this role of a runner in a ABC type of listed way and giving yourself that little bit of a breathing room. I know, for me I again going back to my yoga and my love for yoga kind of feeling my body again and getting connected again, has really filled up my cup and only made me want to run more and to push myself in that aspect. So it all kind of works together. Just like we talk about posterior chain, everything works together. The same can be said for movement.
Speaker 2:Well, talking about filling our cups, can we talk about filling our cups when it comes to food? Because that's what I want to share this week and I'm so excited about it.
Speaker 1:Oh OK, so is your recipe actually filling a cup?
Speaker 2:I mean or a glass or a really big mug or any kind of a container where you might want to have a straw in between or have a straw, or maybe not, but I would use a straw. So, with that said, friends, we're going to go ahead and share our recipes of this week. And because it has been nothing but fall vibes, that I've been like setting our algorithm. I don't know what you're getting officially on time for brunch, but if I have any say in it, it's going to be nothing but like spooky Halloween fall vibes, girl. Because that's like all I'm feeling. Talk about something else that I do when I'm like missing in motivation.
Speaker 2:I will definitely add in my Halloween playlist because it is my favorite holiday and it makes me excited to get for a run. So, that said, feeling those fall vibes I know we're still in summer, so a little bit of a pumpkin milkshake again to kind of cool off after those long runs or long walks or activity, but giving us an opportunity to also say, hey, pumpkin spice and everything. Nice, I'm ready for you. I mean, what do you coach? What do you have?
Speaker 1:I don't maybe love fall as much as you do, but I'm trying to get on your level. I'm striving to find my love.
Speaker 2:How can you not love fall in Florida Like it's like the best time of year?
Speaker 1:Fall we have like crisp day or like a crisp hour, and then it's right back to being hot. Okay, you know I love crisp hour. That's like the best part of living.
Speaker 2:Before we I do want to hear your recipe, but before we get into that, can we also talk a little bit about the like that's gone totally viral? Also a milkshake, but the pickle milkshake that's going down at Wine and Dine at Epcot this year.
Speaker 1:I laughed so hard at it and I think I even shared on our Instagram like it's the runner's dream and, as funny as it is, Aaron, who we've had on the show he went and actually got that milkshake and he said he was conflicted. He goes, it wasn't good and it wasn't bad, it just kind of was.
Speaker 2:Everyone has been saying that, so this is something that I will say. Guys, I love going to all of the theme parks. I cannot get down with Wine and Dine and being in August and it just does not make any sense to me. How can we possibly have a food festival when it is so hot outside?
Speaker 1:There's never a wrong time.
Speaker 2:Do you and I will not agree on this?
Speaker 1:I will. I don't care when it is Give me the food.
Speaker 2:It's too hot to walk around and get snacks. I just don't like it. It's too hot. It makes me nauseous to even think about having some of the heavier dishes, which is why I think the pumpkin milkshake is perfect. But I am curious, friends, if you want to wait in, would you go to Wine and Dine in August here in Florida? And if so, would you have that pickle milkshake? Because it is probably the most viral thing that's coming out of that particular food festival right now.
Speaker 1:I mean again, it's probably like the post-run recovery dream of runners because it's pickle, it's milkshake. There's a lot of questions. I don't know they can have my pickle juice shot from when we did the fuel testing.
Speaker 2:But I'm not going that disgusting, that's so delicious, so that's vinegary. It does that. But I can't think of it in creamy, creamy and vinegary sounds very bizarro.
Speaker 1:Well, I'm taking fall, I'm making it savory and I am going to be getting down with some easy roasted garlic and pumpkin hummus. Cool and refreshing with a fall twist.
Speaker 2:See, I can get down with that and, by the way, I was mispronouncing it. It's not wine and dine, that's the race, it's food and wine festival. It's still too hot to be eating in Epcot.
Speaker 1:For the record, Do you need a glass of wine, Christine? Is that really what this is about at the moment?
Speaker 2:I honestly can't even drink wine at this time of year. It's too hot Like literally ice. Coffee and water is like all I think I can handle at the time of year.
Speaker 1:That's our threshold Ice, coffee and water. Well, maybe we'll have to get a pumpkin milkshake for you to see how it actually attracts.
Speaker 2:I think it's down with a pumpkin milkshake. That sounds delicious. Coach, this has been great. I would say I'd love for us to have your world-infamous your go back to it, your quote that you think of whenever I talk about keeping your motivation going strong, want to share it with us all.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's by the amazing at Gabe Grunwald. It is something. It's the phone's lock screen. It got me through my marathon. I'm pretty sure I'm going to wind up getting it tattooed at some point or another. It's okay to struggle. It's not okay to give up. I can't think of any more fitting of a quote for a never get up day. Friends, we mean this with open hearts, open inboxes. If you are in need of a little help, a little motivation, just a little bit of a reason to not give up and to keep on going to get out there, run, walk, salsa, dance, whatever speaks to your soul, please, please, please join the community. Email us info at timeforbrunchcom. We love running. We might not like it sometimes, but we can always try to find a reason to get up and get out there.
Speaker 2:And if you're looking for a coach or a training group to help stay accountable and motivated, we have our virtual group that's going to be kicking off in September, actually kicking off September 25th.
Speaker 2:But go ahead and add your name to our wait list because, as we mentioned throughout this episode, we're really intensive in our onboarding procedures because we want to make sure that we really customize things and make it for you, the individual, not just a cookie cutter or what works for every single runner. So maybe it's because we want to add some salsa to your programming, or and by that I probably mean both salsa of the food and salsa dancing so go ahead and add your name, because we will have limited registration slots opening up again. You want to definitely be one of those folks that learns all about it, because if you're ready to kind of help get a little bit past that struggle and unleash that speed demon or endurance monster, I guarantee you that I will have all of the fall puns coming your way, and Coach Shelby is going to be right around the corner of those winter puns.
Speaker 1:So well, and again, this will be the last sign up of the year. We will not be opening up the doors after this for the rest of the year. So, if you're thinking about it, if you're flirting with it, if you need a little extra love, definitely put your name on there so you'd be the first to get that sign up link. Because, again, 2023 is still here, still coming in hot, but it is fading away really fast. So let's make the most of the last few months and really give ourselves that best jumping off point as we we get out of summer and get towards that fall and winter, because that New Year's right around the corner, absolutely.
Speaker 2:And we're still celebrating our pot of anniversary all month long. And if you become a monthly time for brunch plus supporter at any level this month, you're going to get one of our exclusive pot of anniversary gifts, and I think it's incredibly special and heartfelt. But each support level has unique premium offerings. So head over to the time for brunch website. Of course, you could also check out the link that's in our episode notes.
Speaker 2:So, friends, we do want you to recover. We want you to reset. We want you to really get your heart ready for that next run where you find your joy, because we promise you it is right around the corner, even if you're not feeling it right now. As long as you do not give up with that said, please join our community or send us some of your selfies with hashtag TF brunch on social media. Don't forget to check out quick bites Again. We're doing our world marathon majors series about 20 minutes and length, dropping every Wednesday, and we love it if you would join us for next week's long brunch, again dropping on Friday. We're going to see you again when it's time for brunch, because we're going to keep serving up more miles with a side of smiles.
