Yesterday I had my best post-surgery run yet.

I still had discomfort in my Achilles, but this time, it felt like the level of discomfort/pain where if it happened during a run at any other period in my life, I would put it down to "regular aches and pains of running."

I felt like I slipped easily into my natural running form and rhythm (although 7ish minute pace for 8 1/2 minutes at a time did not feel like easy in my breathing!), and I felt like myself. Like for small chunks of time I could forget that I am returning from an invasive surgery on my foot.

It can still be hard to enjoy it; at times I just want to get through it, check the box to say that I made it through another run without repercussions or pain. Every time I do, I feel like I exhale, but during, it's hard not to look forward to that moment of relief.

That part of returning to running though, is very familiar to me. I often felt this way in the past when returning from (minor) injuries, and at some point, it feels like I stop figuratively holding my breath during runs and learn to relax into it, my inner voice reassuring me, You are okay; you've got this, and most important, I believe it.

That said, it was special, and there was an interesting perspective moment that unexpectedly happened.

As I ran the 3.3 mile loop around Creve Coeur lake, I saw the same woman three times; each time she had a warm, friendly smile as we said "Hi" again and again on our runs.

The third time, she said to me, "WOW! You are so fast!", and she was right, in every moment that I passed her, I was running what is considered fast to most of the population (and fast for me, for the record), but what she didn't see was that I was taking walk breaks, that I wasn't running the entire time. She had no idea that I was returning from surgery and that my 34 minutes of running, broken up into four blocks, was in fact a HUGE deal. In her mind, I was probbaly running for 6-10 miles at 7 minute pace, no problem.

It just goes to show you that no matter where you are in your journey, what others think of it, good or bad, doesn't matter.

All that matters is you and your journey, what you are doing, what you appreciate or are struggling through, and that you do it in a way that feels best for you.

I hoped to see that woman again one more time, so I could say to her what was really going on underneath, but I didn't; it was left forever as our interaction, and that is okay, cause it's my journey; I was just a cloud of a thought passing through the sky in her brain.

I know I have a lot of bad runs ahead, a lot of mediocre runs ahead, and some good runs ahead too. Despite overthinking, I am enjoying this process, celebrating the wins, no matter how small. This weekend I have been cleared to run the entire Dash to the Finish 5k the day before the NYC marathon, and that feels like a big step in my progress. Yes, I will be wearing my trash skirt, my body covered in climate stats, an important part of my activism, btu I will also be a runner who is doing her first race since March and celebrating that I can run at all.

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

When there is an opportunity for Courtney Phillips-Manning to share knowledge, especially knowledge that will benefit her community, she seizes - or creates - it. That led her to co-found Chicago’s GumboFit run club, and to launch a podcast, The Runner’s Club, with Ian Gonzalez.

Here's the real deal:

I’ve always felt that vulnerability is a superpower, and that seeking growth is a superpower. Yes, both of those can be tricky if we lose focus on what matters, but they are both the most beautiful human traits if we use them right.
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Courtney is one of the best examples of a human who can sit in both vulnerability and a desire to grow in a way we can all learn from. I am inspired by the belief she has in herself and her inner voice to guide the way.

You have likely heard me talking about the World Athletics Road Running Championships, and registrations are open. Yes, it is an elite race, but it is also a mass participation, so you too can run in the world championships in the 1 mile, 5k, or half marathon (or all three!)

Fun side note, this is actually the championships I ran in in 2016 (at the time it was only the half), so this is a very full circle moment!

You can sign up below; if you do, please select the "green runner" box, that way you can join in with all the amazing initiatives I am working on, and trust me, you won't wanna miss these. I have brought out the athlete in me to get things done.

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Headed to NYC; we are just a few days away from the 2024 NYC Marathon plogging event. So much of race weekends put pressure on us to perform or make it about how well we do; this makes you feel like a good human being who is valued for more than what you do; it's about who you are.

“Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people.”

-Barbara Bush

Thanks to our partner, Precision Fuel & Hydration

I have loved seeing how excited runners are about having Precision on course at California International Marathon. As someone who already knows how good their gels and chews taste, how gentle they are on the stomach, how easy they are to take (even when your body is struggling to keep moving forward), it's great to see the road running community get excited about it. I used exclusively Precision in the 50-mile race I won, all my marathons over the past three years, and I will be using it for my next race (I have a 100k in mind....not sharing just yet!!).

There is no flavor fatigue, as it is neutral and mild, but if you want a little flavor, the mint and lemon chews are not like other chews or blocks I had in the past; they are delicious and break down with barely any effort. Give it a try and you will see what all the buzz is about.

P.S. Remember, Precision offers a free fuel and hydration planner if you aren't sure how much fuel to take during your next race; it's here.​

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

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