Ten weeks out from Achilles surgery, I am not running.

My recovery team has estimated it is about a month before I can even try, and while I miss running, there is one aspect of it that I have been missing more than I thought I would. Something that feels so insignificant in the grand scheme of running, but for me, it was one of my favorite parts of my life in general, let alone my runs.

When I go for long trail runs, I have certain spots along the St. Louis trails where I like to sit and just be still. My favorite is at the top of a climb on the Grotpeter Trail in Castlewood State Park. There is a bench there, a bench that is unusually high, so high that makes me feel like a child as my feet dangle in the air. For some reason, it is my favorite place to sit.

Not because it has a jaw-dropping view; in fact, it has no view at all, unless you count endless trees…which yes, is still beautiful, but more than that, it is a place to reset, to take it in, to meditate, even if only for a few moments.

I have another spot on the Fox Trail at Greensfelder Trails. Again, not a glamorous view. I sit on a tree stump at the top of one of the climbs, and feel the blood rushing around my body, listen to the sounds of nature, take in the smells of my surroundings.

In many ways, I think these moments are best suited to unglamorous views, because while those stunning sights give us a sense of awe, they push our need to always see bigger and better. They encourage us to look for the jaw-dropping, show-stopping elements of life, to wish for the grand events, rather than seeing the beauty in every day. They make it less likely we will look at a single tree and admire its rough bark or the way the leaves dance in a rhythm all their own.

Recently, we were in “cicada central,” and while they are not exactly known for their beauty to humans, I took the opportunity to slow down and watch them each day. From when they emerged from the ground to when they left the safety of their exoskeletons. From when they began to fly around to the end of their short lives. I watched them go through the circle of life in a few short weeks. A circle of life moment that is an incredible example of the power and beauty of nature.

It is not easy to do in the world of more, more, more, faster, bigger, better that we live in, but those opportunities to slow down and just watch are there. If we can leave our phones at home, we can find peace by stepping outside our door, or if we can take a moment when we are already outside to stop and just immerse ourselves in the present moment, it is time never regretted or wasted.

It’s not easy; I struggle with it as much as you do (seriously, I do!), but it feels good and it proves that we still can appreciate the beauty all around us, if only we take a moment to notice.

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

Isaiah Stofferahn’s 10 million+ followers know that he’s up for almost any kind of challenge. Lately he’s been focusing on running, whether that’s racing a marathon in Crocs or taking on his DoorDash driver in a head-to-head competition. What they didn’t know until recently was the story behind his drive to accomplish crazy goals and to have fun doing it.

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Here's the real deal:

One of my favorite parts of being a podcast host is helping my guests to process and dive into parts of themselves and their lives that they may not have fully understood yet. I like to push them outside their comfort zone to consider the choices they have made and how they have impacted their lives. It’s fun for me and also good for us as humans to learn about those parts of ourselves. My conversation with @isaiahphoto was definitely one of those, and one I really enjoyed.
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I really love that there is this fun, exploratory, light-hearted version of running that has exploded onto the scene in recent years. Sure, there are some elements of it that as an environmental activist I can work with these creators on (and I do talk to them about it), but overall, if it makes people feel welcomed into a community and keeps it fun, I feel it brings much needed positivity and joy.

If you (or someone you know) is injured right now, they might take some comfort in this article I wrote for Precision. I am enjoying this reflection period, and have many more lessons to come.

We shared it at the bottom, but we now have a newsletter archive. A few of you have asked about it recently, and it is something we have thought about (and been asked about) for a while, so here are this year's newsletters. We will continue to update this weekly.

I am crewing my bestie, Ryan Montgomery, this weekend at Western States. After interviewing so many previous winners of this iconic race, I am excited to check it out....and determined to be smart about my physical capabilities, even if Ryan is able to improve upon his 7th place finish last year and I get excited. Stay strong, Tina!

NYRR expanded their sustainability policies and intentions in a really solid way this week. As someone who is close to this organization and the people who pushed this forward, this was a LOT of work and a good example of how we don't truly see how much energy, time, and hard work that was put into something.

Wanna join NYRR Team for Climate?

I told you I am headed to Costa Rica in November with Aire Libre; this week I shared four ways you can be a more sustainable traveler (while not telling you to stay home!)

and if you wanna come with me to Costa Rica...

In an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.- Pico Iyer

Thanks to our partner, Tracksmith

I was talking to a friend a few days ago, wearing my Tracksmith tank with the word "BOSTON" on it. It was the first item I ever received from them. When I hosted my event in their store (while barely knowing what this "Tracksmith" store even was), they gave me the tank as a gift, and I have been wearing it ever since. My friend was wondering about the meaning behind it; I explained that there was none, not to me, I just love how comfortable it is and the fact it is five years old and still looks brand new.

THAT is my favorite thing about Tracksmith, the durability and quality, so that even after many years, hundreds of wears and washes, they are still the same. My favorite items are the Brighton Base long sleeve, Brighton Base tank, and Session Speed Shorts. You can get $15 off your order of $75 or more as a new customer with code TINANEW or make a donation to TrackGirlz and get free shipping with code TINAGIVE.

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

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Enjoying these? Why not forward to a friend who may enjoy. Encourage them to sign up and get these emails too. And if you missed an email, or would like to reread one, you can find past newsletters here.

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