Hey Gang!

Huge congrats to those who raced this weekend! Chris Fortin just missed the sub-19 min mark by seconds at the Spring Run Off. When there are no massive hills and no gale force winds, he’ll sail right under it. Monica ran the 8K there and came 4^th in her age group. In the Beaches Spring Sprint, Roz Salter came 2^nd in her age group, Zoe and Carol came 1^st and 2^nd in their age group respectively, and Anna D top 10 in her age group! Way to go everyone!

I’d mentioned a few newsletters ago that I was giving meditation a shot. I’m not giving up on it yet, but personally so far it has nothing on the mental clarity that running brings me. When I’m running, I can actually picture my thoughts going from jumbled blocks to organized Tetris pieces with everything having a proper slot and then being put away. Again, I think this is part of what defines me, and probably almost everyone in this group, as an athlete. We process everything better when our bodies are in motion. Not everyone does. Some do better by painting or making music, or just sitting still in silence. I think I just have to accept that is not me.

What I do notice when I go for a run while wrestling with a jumble of thoughts, is that if I start with a negative slant on them, or am angry or sad or otherwise upset about something, when those thoughts become bathed in endorphins and endocannabinoids, I can interpret them differently. I don’t mean to do this. Sometimes I head out on a run with the intention to stew! But I’ve noticed that more often than not, I finish the run with a way more positive and optimistic take on the whole thing. I’ve definitely stumbled upon this mental benefit of running, as it’s not why I started 35 years ago. But lately as I get sucked into doom scrolling, and start to feel depressed or anxious about the state of the world and the future of humanity, or as I experience difficulties in relationships, whether hurt, grief, irritability or anger, and I take all that load on a run, I can tend to find reconciliation, understanding, and a measure of peace by the end of an endorphin filled hour. And maybe that is the point of meditation. I have heard people joke about their Sunday long run being their “Church”, and it’s probably not as far off as it may seem – there can be something spiritual about the wisdom and peace and forgiveness that drops in the middle of a long run – whether you’re seeking it or not. I’m no guru, and I’m not finished seeking and exploring different ways to see and be and feel, but there is definitely something to this running thing. I might give it another 35 years…

On to tomorrow’s workout: Lakeshore and Leslie. 6:05 drills, 6:15 GO!

Back to winter conditions!! (at least my app currently says not as windy – fingers crossed!)

1.       800’s! Let’s do 5-8 of them with 1:45 rest – the first one or two can be more of a tempo/ find your pace thing. Try to finish strong. Once you start falling off the pace, you’re done (or you can shorten to 600’s for the last 2 if you like)

1. If going by time: 5-8 x 3 min on, 1:45 off

That is all – see you in the am!

xo

Seanna