Sometimes it feels too big, too impossible...
Imposter syndrome has been hitting me hard lately. As the months zoom by, heading towards September 2025, when San Diego will host the World Road Running Championships, where I am the sustainability lead, it is time for me to get to work. Putting initiatives and measures into place that will make this the most sustainable race in history. At least that is our goal, and on the leadership team we think it is achievable.
However, while I am tempted to (and would like to), get caught up in the small details, the elements of sustainability that the average person thinks of, the reality is, the work mostly happens where runners won't see it. The biggest emission reducing initiatives will never be seen; if they are, we have done our job well.
I do have a lot going for me. We have a strong team of go-getters, I have some incredible friends and allies in the space who are willing to help in whatever way they can, willing to remind me to break it down into manageable chunks (just like we do in our races), and most importantly to remind me that most people have had some opportunity where they felt they just didn't know enough to be doing it, but figured it out as they went along. Mentors and people I look up to in the space have shared their fears with me, and it means so much to hear that they struggled too...and in many cases, are still working through it.
Most of what we see about other peoples' careers is how they are crushing it. Those landmark moments, the celebrations of a project well done, the promotions, the success. But what we don't ever see, are the moments they lost their breath in a panic when they had a mammoth task ahead, the hardened, industry boss they had to win over. What we didn't see were the moments of struggle when they wondered if this was the right thing for them. When they wondered whether they were deserving (or even wanted) to do that role.
As I look at a giant opportunity ahead, knowing I have put some big dreams out there publicly (I guess I am back in the A Million Dreams stage of The Greatest Showman), I now have to figure it out. With people who know what they are doing and taking it one step at a time, but I still have to be the conductor organizing the orchestra. I have to learn from those who do have the credentials, the experience, the years of knowledge that I lack to bring it all together.
But I know one thing that I have going for me. A passion and determination to figure it out, and I am not afraid to ask for help to get there. I give a lot to our community through my words, my time, my energy, but I also don't mind saying, "I don't know; please help".
I just wanted to share as maybe you have felt this in some way in your life, and you worked your way through, made a few mistakes, learned a lot, and grew from it, maybe even made your part of the world a better place because of it. Right now I am in the scary time. I am standing at the beginning of week one of training for a 100 mile race (no, I haven't signed up for one of those), knowing I have a long way ahead, but I am gonna do this.
One step at a time.
This week on the Running For Real podcast..
No podcast this past week, I just couldn't get things together in time. BUT we do have hundreds of episodes for you, and something tells me you have missed an episode or two along the way. Yes, I know you don't listen to every one!
| Listen to previous episodes here |
Also to bring back links to a special project from a few years ago that I am still very proud of. Knox Robinson and I hosted Running Realized, and it was an eleven episode podcast about challenges in our industry. They are NPR-style episodes and very different from every other running podcast out there. We put about 10 hours of work into each episode, and they are really good.
| Check out Running Realized here |
I shared on Instagram and Facebook this morning that I am looking to make a focus group to help me with San Diego. Your level of sustainability understanding and interest does not matter; your ability to be honest and share feedback does matter. I was blown away by the amount of people interested, but wanted to offer the opportunity to you too. Reply to this email if you want to be a part of it and I will send you more information.
After multiple conversations with a friend, I am reading David Goggins book, Can't Hurt Me. I'll be honest I did not want to read this book, and I am not exactly a David Goggins fan. I just feel his messaging has been very damaging to many people, BUT I also wanted to go into this book with an open mind, and I have been. I have not formed my thoughts on it yet, but it's an "easy" read, and there are some things that I am learning and appreciating about him. I will report more, but if you have read it, I would love to hear your thoughts.
This instagram account is bringing me so much joy as I work my way back into social media. I LOVE these two guys, their authenticity and strong relationship.
"Don't judge each day by the haarvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."
-Robert Louis Stevenson
Thanks to our partner, AG1
It is that time of year for sickness, and for me, the most important time to increase my intake of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The problem is, I am not great at that part, prioritizing those nutrient-dense foods when I am working and parenting (which makes up most of my time!). That is where AG1 helps me fill in the gaps and it will for you too. I know with one scoop first thing in the morning, I’m getting a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that support my immune system that I can miss in my diet. I feel better after taking it and I get that peace of mind that I’m getting comprehensive nutrition to support my busy lifestyle.
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| Go get AG1 here |
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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.
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Running For Real
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You hear that moving is one of the most stressful life experiences, but then when you think it through in your head, how bad can it be? You pack up stuff, you move it to a truck or a pod (or have someone do it for you), you make a few tweaks on websites to change your address, you get to another location and unpack it all. Okay, yeah, even simplifying it like that, that's still a lot. But woof, every time we do this (and we have been on a five-year rotation for a while now, hopefully this is...