I am not sure how much I believe the hype about love languages, but if I did, one of my love languages would absolutely be quality time. That is one of the most important things in the world to me.

I am able to put my phone down or away, and be fully present with loved ones. I need that in order to be fully functioning.

And while I am all about spending time with loved ones in person, the reality is, almost all of the people I am closest to in this world are far away from me. Other than Steve and the girls, my family are on the other side of the world. My friends are scattered all over; some of them I haven't seen in 5+ years. I did the exact opposite thing I should have done for my mental health.

And yet, somehow it works.

I rely on those long (I'm talking 30+ second....or even minute) hugs, and the deep conversations we have when we are in person; I cherish every moment. I carve out time for quality time with loved ones wherever I am, and make the most of time with loved ones when I travel.

I also am extremely grateful for technology.

I am generally pretty negative about the impacts of social media and our phones on our mental health. I often wish I could delete my social media altogether and leave my phone locked in a cupboard all day, BUT, it has allowed me to maintain a level of closeness with those I care about most.

We send one another long voice memos. Evie and I were once in the habit of sending 20+ minute voice memos back and forth. It was rambly, it was distracted at times (we both have young kids), but it gave me all her mannerisms and let me feel like I was a part of her life, right there and then. I love voice memos!

We call. Yep. I am one of those weird people who still likes talking on the phone, and I will continue to. There is nothing better than in person, but a phone call is next.

We FaceTime. This is probably my least favorite, but is ideal for reconnecting when it has been a little while.

And yes, I text, although at times I am terrible about replying. I much prefer to send a full update than a "good thanks, you?" kinda text, and I will admit, sometimes I don't find the time and forget. Working on it.

Those methods of communication allow me to feel connected, to keep lonlieness at bay when I work from home, and keep friendships strong even if years go by without communication or seeing one another. I love that part of the world we live in.

Last weekend at the Running USA conference, I was able to have quality time with friends I have known for years and quality time with new people who I didn't know existed before last week. People who are walking the walk to change the world for the better. People who also cherish quality time in person. I used to think that work events were for exactly that, work. I thought the fact that the word "networking" had the word "work" in it, meant that it was supposed to be draining, meant to be not fun. Now though, I know it is yet another yes/and conversation.

We can come away feeling exhausted but totally fulfillled from important connections, inspired by other human beings who give us hope for the future of our world. Even those I don't necessarily agree with teach me something or give me an idea of a way to be better. Inspiration can come from anywhere, growth comes from everywhere, and as human beings we need to feel connected to others to thrive. We are a social species, and it feels good to work together towards making the world the place we believe it can be.

I challenge you to look differently at the people you connect with, both in-person socially and in work/school/home. How can you be more present when you are with them? What can you learn from them? And if you enjoy their company, how can you stay in contact?

It doesn't take long to check in on someone, and we all know the feeling of someone reaching out from out of the blue, saying that they were thinking of us. It matters.

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

On March 16, the Selma to Montgomery Relay will follow the route taken by Civil Rights Movement activists in March 1965, as they walked from Selma, Alabama to the state capital of Montgomery, to protest the blocking of Black Americans’ right to vote. It’s a history lesson, an opportunity to honor those who risked so much for justice, a way to give back to their communities, and a party for the runners, walkers, and cyclists who join together to celebrate the marchers and their actions, which led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.​

Here's the real deal:

I was really excited to run Selma to Montgomery Relay this year, but my foot had other ideas. It is just not there to be able to do this event, BUT, I wanted to still bring Vergil on the podcast to talk about this important race and the meaning behind it. I learned a lot of important information in this episode, good examples of work we should be doing to learn about the history of the US and the effects our history is still having to this day.

---

Kayleigh, Sandy and I will be back in New York for the United Airlines NYC Half on March 16th. We would love if you could join us for a plogging run the day before (and it will only be 1-2 miles, very, very easy pace).

Sign up here

Speaking of friends I haven't seen in years, I am headed to a random town in Kentucky tomorrow to meet my dear friend (and For Real-isodes podcast co-host) Sarah Crouch. We haven't seen each other in six years and after four children between us and a whole world of life changes, we are making it happen. I can't wait to hug her, and if you haven't already pre-ordered her debut novel, go get Middletide here (it is so, so good; I devoured it in a solo parenting weekend!!!).

“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.” — Mother Teresa

--

Thanks to our partner, Tracksmith

The first three items I received from Tracksmith in 2019 were a white Brighton Base long sleeve, a navy pair of Session Speed Shorts, and a Harrier vest. I have worn each of those hundreds of times at this point, even taking them all the way through my second pregnancy and continuing to wear them after. That is the biggest thing I can say about Tracksmith items. They are obsessive about details and getting it right, so you can wear their item year after year after year. As I have talked about, the Brighton Base and Session Speed Shorts are my favorite items of all time, and that is the biggest gift that Tracksmith gives to us; quality, durable items that last.

Purchasing quality items that last is the single most important thing we can do when it comes to purchasing items. Yes, there is, should be, and will be much more of a focus on materials going into items, but ultimately, it all is going to end up in landfill, so we want to make those items last as long as they can. That is why Tracksmith is my favorite. Those items will last decades....even when we as runners are very tough on our items.

As a friend of mine, you can get $15 off your order of $75 with code TINANEW or free shipping with a donation to TrackGirlz with code TINAGIVE.

Yes please, I wanna check it out

P.S. As a few people have asked lately, my second favorite option for a long sleeve is the Harrier long sleeve. Love that too.

​

--

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

​

Enjoying these? Why not forward to a friend who may enjoy. Encourage them to sign up and get these emails on a Monday too.

​

​