Last week I ran the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle (5 miles) with two Olympians.

Our original plan was 8 minute per mile pace, but as I should have expected, we didn't run anywhere close to that pace.

One of my greatest skills as a runner is that I am very good at knowing paces. I can usually guess what pace I am running, give or take a few seconds.

Within a few minutes, it was clear this was not going to be an 8 minute pace day; to me, it felt more like 6:30 pace, but I also knew maybe I was a little rusty in my estimation skills. (As this story is going to take a turn, I'll share that ultimately, it was 6:36 pace, so I was close!)

I was enjoying a (breathy!!) conversation as a running trio with Deena Kastor and Galen Rupp. Deena I had gotten to know a little at various events in the past; Galen I had met for the first time a few days prior.

The conversation flowed freely, and I really enjoyed getting to ask them some of the questions I had wondered about, especially around what it was like for them to be running amongst the masses, having time-focused men push past us in the early minutes with no idea who it was they were elbowing out of the way (or maybe taking the opportunity to "beat" these famous runners!).

I asked Deena to take a video of me refilling my bottle at the refill station along the course, as I was determined to prove that it did not take anywhere close to the amount of time runners thought it would. That video is here.​

How long did it actually take to refill? 4.5 seconds.

Nope, not kidding.

While Deena missed me running past her at the aid station, so missed me coming in and asking the (unsuspecting) volunteer to refill, she did turn the camera just as the water started to leave the gallon container and enter my HydraPak SkyFlask. Count them.

Four seconds.

Galen waited next to me as we refilled, and then the three of us began running again.

As we turned into the finishing straight, a straightaway both of these runners had come down on their way to winning the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Deena said, "I'm gonna let you go ahead, and when we cross the line, say 'Sustainability for the win!'"

I mean, isn't she just the sweetest human ever?

But I also want to share that getting to know Galen last weekend, and having lots of opportunities for one-on-one time with him, I have severely misjudged him.

As someone who is very open and vulnerable with the public, in the past I had criticized him for hiding from the media, refusing to speak to the media, and honestly, not letting the running community get to know (and love) him at all.

Alone on our cooldown, I asked him about this.

I won't share the inner details of our conversation, but let's just say, now I understand why he did what he did. I respect and admire the way he views the world, and I was so wrong about him.

For me, it was another reminder to not judge a book by its cover, to not assume we know people we don't, and when/if we do get the opportunity to get to know someone, to go into that interaction with genuine curiosity about them.

With the world we are living in, it is all too easy to put people into buckets, to decide that we know how a person is based on one variable we know or see about them.

I do it too; every time a truck with all the add-ons drives past me, I judge, but the world doesn't need more judgement and more criticism of one another; we need more openness, more curiosity, more love towards one another.

You never know, you may make a friend you never expected. And if nothing else, you gave kindness in a world where it sometimes feels like that is lacking.

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

Many people identify themselves as climate activists, but not many would call themselves climate optimists - especially not now. Lauren Bash, however, still finds reasons to be hopeful, and offers ways to combat the environmental crisis centered around the principles of climate action, connection, and community.

Here's the real deal:

I nearly didn't record this one. I was on the edge of tears, having one of those days when I wonder why I even bother. I wanted to cancel; Lauren gave me permission to cancel; but we went ahead anyway because I think it's important to not shy away from those moments, and it may be helpful for you to hear that we all have hard days.

I absolutely ADORE Lauren. If you like my "style" of sustainability/environmentalism, Lauren is for you. She does an incredible job with her content of making it easy for us all to get involved, and you get to hear how running ties into the work she does. She is one of the people who inspire me most, and I think you will understand why within seconds of this episode beginning.

Running Boston next month?

I will be hosting a plogging event on Saturday, with some of your favorite runners. Mark your calendars, and I will share more in the weeks to come.

​I shared last week a reminder that you do not HAVE to take stuff at races. Bring your own pins; you don't need to take a bag, shirt, or anything else, pre-race or post-race. Pause, and think whether you are just taking it to take it (or because you feel entitled to it). Would you saying, "No, thank you" (along with myself and others) push the race to stop ordering as many of those or rethink how they hand out items for races?

I had to learn to forgive myself, not to judge, but to learn from the past. They showed me how vital it is to accept, be truthful, and love myself. So I could do the same with others.

— Marlo Morgan

Thanks to our partner, AG1

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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