Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – Feeling and running
Hi Everyone!
Huge congrats to Graeme who ran his 7th Major with the Sydney Marathon and finished in 3:31 which is a BQ! Great job Graeme! And happy back-to-school and back to the office for many. Fresh starts are the best – there have been quite a few people who have written about “the fresh start effect” – and that is not what this newsletter is about, but if you’re interested, look it up. Notably, Freakonomics podcast has a great episode about it. Basically it’s a real thing and we can become more motivated and better at what we do when we turn a page and start a new chapter. So take advantage and reinvent yourself without any of the baggage you don’t want and with all the routines and habits you DO.
What I have been thinking about this week is emotions, and how they can affect our running. Probably an age thing again, but I have been feeling big emotions lately! And it’s insincere to say they have no effect in how we show up for runs and workouts. The trick, I think, is in acknowledging what the emotions are that we’re feeling, and deciding what kind of run they best line up with. Because we are going to run most days regardless, and we are all going to cycle through the emotion wheel again and again, so we’d better learn how to feel and run at the same time. Here are some common ones and some good run pairings to go with them:
Nervousness/ Anxiety – Sometimes I’m not sure whether this is an emotion or just a physical sensation, but when we’re feeling it, our brain does try to find a cause. So sometimes it helps to actually do something anxiety producing, lean in, and after you’re done, the itch is scratched. Temporarily anyway. When I’m feeling anxious, I like to do hard runs or workouts which I’m not sure I can complete. This gives a reassuring cause for my anxiety, and a sense of relief (even if short-lived), when the thing is complete.
Sadness/ Nostalgia/ Grief – Ah, this is a tricky one. We need to let these feelings in, but they can really drain your energy and take a physical toll, so you won’t want to run far or fast. Depending on where you are in the process, walking might be where you start. But movement definitely helps with processing, and when you’re ready, bring others along. Silent runs together are ok too. Ask for what you need, take your time, and keep moving slowly and gently. Moody runs while thinking and processing are one of my go-tos.
Anger – Along with other strong emotions, I’m embracing my angry woman phase these days. I like it. I get to think about all the things I’m mad about – dysfunctional systems, injustices over the years, awful people who do awful things – the usual stuff, and I really let myself get worked up. It’s empowering. Just let yourself rage. For this emotion, I recommend a good ol’ progression run. Start regularly, and as you think of more and more enraging things, allow the pace to pick up. By the end you might be flying and raging and looking like a mad-woman, but really, it feels so good. There is nothing like a good rage run and some days it is all that is called for.
Happiness/ Fulfillment – The holy grail of emotions! Sometimes we feel happy, fulfilled and content. When this is the case, just go for a good ol’ happy run. Spread your vibes as far and wide as you can. Wave at the snarling angry runner passing the other way, say “lookin’ good” to the anxious runner sprinting her demons away, and give a smile to the contemplative looking runner in her own world. These are the best runs because you start feeling good and finish feeling even better. And if done well, you’ve spread your happiness like fairy dust along your whole route. It is basically your civic and social duty to go for a run when you’re feeling happy.
There are many more emotions on the vast spectrum, and I’m pretty sure there is a run pairing to complement or support every one of them. The trick is to listen to your emotions so you get the run-solution right. Shuffle things around if you have to, or change up your plans. Because matching the wrong run to your emotional state can feel dissonant, but getting it right can be the best feeling in the world.
On to tomorrow’s workout: Lakeshore and Leslie! 6:05 Drills, 6:15 GO!
Two options: Option 1 is for those building for a fall marathon, Option 2 is for those looking for 5K speed and/ or running the Yorkville 5K this weekend:
Option 1:
2 x 1 mile tempo w 2 min rest
2 x 800 @ 10K w 1:45 rest
4 x 400 @ 5K w 1:30 rest
3 min rest
1 mile @ choice
Option 2:
1 mile tempo
3 min rest
4 x 400 @ 5K w 1:30 rest
Finish w feel-good strides
That is all – see you in the am!
xo
Seanna