Last year, I noticed something about my sleep.

If I had given myself at least 10 minutes of quiet time during the day, I was able to fall asleep at night. On days I did not allow myself that time, as I had my phone in my hand, or feeding me content as I showered, walked up the stairs, and ran, I struggled to fall asleep. It was like my brain was unable to process anything as it went through the day, and was forced to go through it as I lay in bed, finally in quiet.

l'll be honest; sometimes I still listen to a podcast or music in the shower, habitually open my Instagram as I walk up the stairs, or listen to music on days I feel tired.

And I forgive myself for those moments; we have been trained to do that, and often it is so mindless that we don't even realize we are doing it until minutes later. I can do my best to restrain myself and resist that urge, but ultimately, I am human.

I also have been making a conscious effort to leave my phone at home for periods outside, primarily on the walk to and from picking my daughter(s) up from school. I don't manage it every day, but on those days I do, I notice that I hear the birds more, notice the trash on the road more (which yes, I pick up), and see the changing seasons (right now, the shoots are starting to come through).

I get to have an intentional conversation with my daughter on the way there/back, and as I walk the other direction on my own, I feel more engaged with my surroundings. It also just feels good to not have the urge to look at it all the time.

Is that 20-40 minutes a day changing me on a deep level?

No, probably not.

I do know it makes me feel good; I feel free, and I am giving my brain time to be present and process through my day, so I sleep better at night.

It is tempting to fill any and all space with consumption of information, and yet I find myself wondering about the impact that has on our brains long-term. It can't be good that we can't spend any time alone in our own minds.

So I choose to have that time each day when I am free, I am present, I am connected. I wonder if it would help you to carve out a time for yourself too.

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

There’s a time before a race when the crowd settles down and is quiet for a few minutes - during the singing of the national anthem. At last year’s TCS New York City Marathon, that honor was given to Danny Peter Smith.

Here's the real deal:

The story of Danny and me meeting is pretty funny, and one of those moments that rarely happens in 2025. Watching him sing the national anthem to the entire NYC Marathon field a few hours later brought me chills. I could barely believe what I was hearing. This is a joyful episode, and it's interesting to hear about the crossover between singing and running (something I had always wondered about).

Some races are now using lithium batteries in their race bibs. This does not sit well with me at all, with the fire hazard lithium batteries are (they can catch fire in the trash/recycling truck and/or landfill/recycling center), as well as, of course, leeching out toxic chemicals. Batteries should always be disposed of mindfully.

​If you are running in one of these upcoming races, please reach out to the race director/organizer to tell them you are not comfortable with lithium battery chips. This is one way your voice matters.

See you there on Saturday?

Or will you be in NYC for the NYRR United Airlines NYC Half?

Come join a plog from the NYRR Run Center the day before:

We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly - spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order.

- Susan L. Taylor

Thanks to our partner, HydraPak

Next month, after one year away, I get to run in the NYRR United Airlines NYC Half, coincidentally a race I did a year ago, and got emotional at the finish as I knew it would be my last race pre-surgery. While the speed I am running at is not going to be even close to what I would have considered race pace in my past, I am excited to get back out there to run my best.

And you better believe I will be carrying my HydraPak SkyFlask, and refilling it on course. HydraPak has put so much time, energy, and heart into making the absolute best hydration products out there, and they really have nailed it. Sure, they make great flasks for going in vests and belts, but both the SkyFlask and the Tempo Pro are knockout products that make it so easy for runners to hydrate along the way....yes, no more choking down water at aid stations.

More and more runners are moving to carrying their own hydration, and it makes sense, right? We can bring along the hydration and fuel we have practiced with all training block, and sip it as we go.

As a friend of mine you can....

It's time; make the switch; you will be glad you did :)

--

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

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