In The Long Run

Thoughts and BELIEFS:

(BELIEF is my chosen word for 2026 - what is yours?)

Hello Reader,

Twenty-nine years ago today — Good Friday — my parents drove to Central Michigan University to bring me home for Easter weekend. On that same day, a letter arrived telling me I'd been accepted into PT school.

I was beyond excited, and I remembered the feeling of pride I had on the drive home. I did it! The next night I was out celebrating with my girlfriends from high school.

Truth be told, that celebration went from a "Good Friday" to a hungover Easter Sunday and I left the church service to get sick.

The deeper reason for this jubilation stemmed from July 2nd 1996. That was the day I received my rejection letter telling me I didn't make it into PT school.

THE LESSON THAT KEEPS RUNNING

When that rejection came, I was devastated. I could have decided it meant something permanent — that PT school wasn't for me, and maybe I should do something else with my life.

Instead, I walked into the director's office and asked one question: what do I need to do to get in next year?

The bottom line: A bad result is not a final result. The question is what you do next.

You keep your eyes on the prize.

Along with my rejection and acceptance letters, I've kept this scrap of newspaper from my mother.

She gave it to me at some point during my three years of PT school. Keep your eyes on the prize. I taped it to my mirror and left it there until graduation.

WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH RUNNING

Here's what I know after 25 years of running and working with hundreds of runners: the moment a woman considers quitting is almost never the moment she should.

It's after the race that didn't go the way she trained for. After the injury that sidelined her longer than expected. After the run that felt harder than it should.

This is my current status — hearing the voice that questions if I've lost my running mojo for good.

That voice is not telling us the truth. It's just telling us it's hard right now.

The question isn't whether to keep going. It's what to do next. You walk into the office. You ask questions. You reach out for help. You keep your eyes on the prize.

Is there a setback in your running story that turned into something better? Hit reply — I genuinely want to hear your "Good Friday." And hopefully your celebration didn't end the same way mine did.🤢

Walking (or running) beside you — one step at a time.

Coach Nikki

Sprint Interval Training (SIT):

Join me as I literally take you with me as I do the last interval of sprinting up a hill.

I have found this training to be awful, yet no longer negotiable.

For any runner over 40, this MUST be part of your routine.

Let me know if you are doing this already, or if you are as winded as I am!

Here is the link to the article and explanations of HIIT vs SIT: Stacy Sims_Cheat Sheets_HIIT vs SIT_A5.pdf​

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A "Wicked Good" Marathon?

Cynthia Erivo is training for her third marathon, in conjunction with being the one woman star of Dracula.

She's going for a 3:15 finish at the London Marathon, 4/26/26. Here is a detailed look at her training and intentions for the race.​

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LET ME HELP YOU!

"Nicole was great to work with! She really took the time to listen to the whole picture, because of this, we were able to catch an injury before it became much more severe.

Throughout our time together, Nicole made a point to discuss the mental elements of injury recovery, which helped rebuild confidence in my body as I began running again.

Now I’m coming back to running as a more mindful and stronger athlete!

Thanks, Nicole!" - Erin M.

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Stop wasting time "guessing" about your issues, and talk to an expert that speaks running better than AI :)

HIT REPLY WITH YOUR QUESTIONS OR SET UP A FREE 20 MINUTE CONSULT CLICK HERE​

If you (or someone you know) are interested in learning more about JSR Coaching/Injury or Performance Consult - hit reply, and we'll have a chat!

Let me know if you have any questions or requests for topics in these emails. Thank you so much for reading, and forward to your running friends as well!

Have a question or a topic request? CONTACT NICOLE