A few days ago, from my aunt's countryside cottage, I went for a hike in the Shropshire hills by myself.

Something I hadn't ever done before. Every time I have been there, I have run around the hills. At times, as the steep climbs slowed my pace to barely moving, I felt like I might as well have gone for a walk, but I was working hard, and soon moving fast again at the peaks.

This time though, it was different. The intention was not fitness or training. The goal was not to do it as fast as I could or to run a certain amount of time that I had predetermined was enough for the day.

This walk was purely for my mental health. I didn't take my phone with me, to remove the temptation of pulling it out for photos; this was just for me. While I saw a different perspective with my relaxed pace, my favorite part was at the top. Over the past few years, I have honed my ability to stand at the top and look out into the perfection of this beautiful planet we live on, but only for a minute, before carrying on with my run.

This time though, I climbed over a fence and sat. For 10-15 minutes. Not really admiring, not really focused on anything, but just being there. Feeling all of my senses, taking in that moment, without anywhere to be or anything to lure me away. I felt totally at peace.

I want more of that feeling, and as I head into a post-surgery era in a few weeks, I think seeking that calm should be something I try to tap into often. It may not come as easily when I am not surrounded by beauty, and maybe at times I will need Steve to carry me into the woods and leave me there to be still, but something tells it is my time to find that part of me, the spiritual side that connects with this planet on a deeper level than I have known. The part of me that chooses peace and calm over intense, slow and rest over go, and embraces exactly what life is offering in that moment.

I don't quite know how I will get there yet, but I know that it felt good, and I want more of that. I was able to seek it again the next day from a different view in the Shropshire Hills, and nature seems to be my path to get there.

I am nervous for my surgery, but there is a part of me that is looking forward to seeing who I become out the other side, what I learn about myself through this. It will shape me, in ways I cannot even possibly comprehend or expect, and I intend on embracing that the best that I can.

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

Many people define themselves in one way: “I am a runner.” “I am a DJ.” “I am an artist.” Matt Green, on the other hand, describes himself as a “multi-hyphenate.” The co-founder of the District Running Collective (DRC) combines his talents to explore different ways of impacting the world.

Here's the real deal:

I absolutely love connecting with people who have multiple passions. It is so easy for us to put ourselves into a box, taking up a role, identity, or hobby, and obsessing over it.

But those people who manage to merge, blend, or combine their passions, find a way for them all to come together to enhance their life (and make each one a more sustainable hobby), are the ones who I admire the most. As you can guess, Matt is one of those.

We have finished our Sustainable Runner's guide to Boston; if you are headed to the city in a few weeks, go get yourself a copy.

Headed to another major city? We also have guides for NYC, Chicago, Sacramento, and Orlando.
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London is on the way, will be sending it to you soon!

If you are running Boston, I will be hosting a plogging event with a lot of community leaders you likely know and love. I will be sharing who those are in the next week, but trust me, you won't want to miss this! It will be at 2pm on Saturday, and we would love to see you there! Put it in your calendar, now!

“To be human is to have a collection of memories that tells you who you are and how you got there.”

– Rosecrans Baldwin

Thanks to our partner, HydraPak

I genuinely believe that most runners are ready to shift to carrying their own fuels or refilling cups. Last Sunday, while running the NYC half, I carried a cup and a soft flask the whole way, and refilled as needed. It was really easy and if I promise to keep doing my end of the work through educating races (and their volunteers) on how to be ready for runner refills, you can do your part, by going to get one of these items and using them.

Go get yourself something at hydrapak.com/tina​

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

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