"Your emails are so long!"

It felt like dozens of people have said that to me over the past few weeks, some with almost giddiness; they really enjoy the unpolished, lengthy stream of consciousness; it is one rare place they can find true authenticity. Others, it was clear that many go unread, as they just don't have the time. And of course, there were many in between.

I understand that we are all different people, what is long to one person is short to another. I am not trying to be everyone's cup of tea; in fact, I am pretty sure there are a lot of people who find me incredibly annoying, and the thing is, that is okay. If I am being myself, I am doing the best I can.

Yesterday I returned home from Bank of America Chicago Marathon weekend and I had so much swirling around my head to talk about. Today could have easily been a super long email with multiple stories. Instead, I'll share a few photos that sum it up:

If you are interested in more:

I shared a few Instagram posts and reels over the weekend: what Chicago marathon weekend involves as a sustainability advocate and what the race is doing to reduce their environmental impact with 50,000 runners. If you are gonna only watch one though, it should be this, it was an incredible and bold change the race made to move totally away from plastic bottles.

Now the behavior has to change; runners have to switch from a disposable to a reusable mindset...which is especially challenging at the finish of a race, when sustainability is never going to be the number one priority.

And that's where I come in. More and more, I am seeing my role to be the person who educates, yes, but also to help runners want to be a part of a positive movement, to show the important work being done that makes us feel good.

Our plogging event yesterday was another lightbulb moment for all those who attended. It feels good to do something positive in the world, to ease that ache we feel in our hearts when we think about the future. To take action lessens that and helps us believe in humanity.

Last year I came away from the Chicago Marathon feeling dejected and heartbroken; this year, I came away feeling hopeful and inspired.

I know we have a long way to go; I know this is not going to be easy; but I do feel we can do this.

When we work together, we can do anything.

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

Filmmaker and distance runner Nicole Teeny had an unusual item on her bucket list - to race against horses. But when she was diagnosed with epilepsy, she was told that the running part of her life was over. Instead of giving up on her dream, she used it as motivation to return to the sport she loved, a journey documented in the podcast series GIRL v. HORSE, on ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcast.

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Here's the real deal:

I love that Nicole knew what her "thing" was that mattered to her, and no one else. Despite her epilepsy diagnosis, she found a way to do it. We all have a crazy dream in our mind that others just don't get; this may inspire you to take a step towards it.

Running Toronto Waterfront Marathon this weekend?

See you there:

Friday, 18th October at 12:30 p.m., plogging with Canada Running Series and Trans Canada Trail.

Saturday, 19th October at 11:40 a.m., I am moderating a panel at the expo.

Sunday, 20th October, I will be with the Green Team doing my thing!

Running NYC marathon?

Friday, 1st November at 9:30 a.m., plogging from the NYRR Run Center.

Saturday, 2nd November, I will run the Abbott Dash to the Finish 5k in my trash skirt in the morning.

At 12 p.m., I will be on a panel at the expo, and at the NYRR booth at 2 p.m., with copies of my book.

Free tickets to the Boston Run Show 2025

On March 1-2, 2025, you can get all the buzz and excitement of being around the running community in an expo...without the nervous energy and race the next day! I loved it last year!

"It doesn’t matter how strong your opinions are. If you don’t use your power for positive change, you are indeed part of the problem.”

-Coretta Scott King

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Thanks to our partner, Runna

Runna is the #1 rated running coaching app in the world with over 20,000 five star reviews (Trustpilot, Apple, Playstore). They are on a mission to make running as easy, effective, and enjoyable as possible. They do this through creating personalized running plans for all abilities, ranging from those starting their running journeys (couch to 5K) to elite runners (2:30 marathoners).

All plans are built by Olympic athletes and expert coaches, and it is no surprise that they have been absolutely crushing it. I loved seeing how many runners went to their shakeout in Chicago; they are building a beautiful community element through the app and in person, and it is really impressive to see.

Once I can, I look forward to starting a Runna plan to build up for a race (I am not quite there yet), and I love that the app makes suggestions based on your data as to how to change your plan depending on how your body is handling training. If you are someone who struggles to know when to push and when to pull back, this is for you.

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

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