Jumpstartrunning Presents:

In The Long Run

IMPACTful THOUGHTS:

Hello Reader,

One week ago at this time, I was in bed:

A few hours before that, I was doing this:

A few weeks prior to that, I wasn't sure how I felt about running marathons anymore.

I have been so fortunate that my body has put up with twenty five years of running and marathons.

While much has happened in my world since running Boston a year ago, I didn't expect losing the joy of running to be on that list.

At first I blamed altitude, then I got sick, perimenopause, strength loss, nutrition deficits, trying to prioritize my business, then I realized that it was... ME.

"Did you know that there were 12,000 people that qualified for Boston that didn't get to run because of the cut-off time?"

I overheard a runner saying this to another runner as we were warming up before the race. It was like her words hit me upside the head - "YOU FOOL, DON'T YOU KNOW HOW LUCKY YOU ARE TO BE HERE??? THAT YOU CAN STILL RUN BY CHOICE?"

Those words were a gift to me, and the timing couldn't have been better - right before the start.

I had all afternoon to look around, take in the sights and sounds around me, and commune with my people. It was like I had been to the "church of running", and I received a spiritual transformation that re-engaged my soul.

It was one of my slowest Boston finishes, and I will need to find a race this summer in attempt to requalify for next year. However, finding my joy and sharing it amongst all those people was the magic of Boston.

More on that another time, but I want to share one takeaway with you. When you first buy a car, there (typically) is very little maintenance. When you first start a relationship, the beginning is often easier than years down the road. When you buy a new house, the upkeep is relatively minor at first. With running, your body is pretty resilient when you first start and have low mileage.

For me, for many of you, and several of my clients, what used to be somewhat easy is now requiring more maintenance. Our bodies are changing. We do NOT get a manual, because each one of us is different, and what works for one person doesn't work for someone else.

I've spent years helping masters runners and athletes find solutions for their bodies to keep going. To be honest, I've "gotten away" with being able to run as I've done in the past.

It's time for me to create my own manual and share those lessons with you.

The first lesson is MINDSET.

Running is hard. Not running is hard. CHOOSE YOUR HARD.

Moving your body is hard. Illness is hard. CHOOSE YOUR HARD.

Being an aging athlete is hard. Not being an aging athlete is hard. CHOOSE YOUR HARD.

Pay attention to what is "hard" for you this week, and may you choose wisely.

Keep moving forward my friends, one step at a time.

Coach Nicole

NUTRITIONAL NOTE:

One of the areas I have made changes for myself and gained basic knowledge to offer my clients is nutrition. This is such a broad and personal topic, making it difficult to offer blanket statements for all.

Sharing office space with an incredibly knowledgeable registered dietician has been a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because I have someone I'm 100% confident in sharing her name with my clients as a go-to resource. It's been a curse, because the two of us together are always wanting to learn more about the others profession and we share a love for running as well. We never stop talking!

Dina Griffin owns "Nutrition Mechanic" https://nutritionmechanic.com/ and today we had an "official" call to discuss my recent blood work, and go over supplementation. It was incredibly helpful for me, and I am looking forward to implementing her recommendations. Even though I had received blood test results from my physician, Dina knows that my endurance activities require a nuanced approach.

If you have general questions regarding your nutrition send me a message, or feel free to reach out to Dina directly. The most important thing is to make sure you get your blood levels checked frequently - ESPECIALLY your ferritin (a component of iron metabolism that you have to ask the doctor to add to the panel) as it is often low among female endurance athletes, contributing to fatigue.

When was the last time you had your blood drawn AND had someone explain in detail how that affects your nutrition??

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TREADMILL TUESDAY

This was one of the longest videos I have ever made for TMTD, but the time flew by. The reason was all because this was highlighting the brilliance and innocence of kids.

If you have time, PLEASE check out this video because I am sharing a few of the "Good Luck" cards that my sister had her 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students make for me.

My apologies, as a few spots the sound is "sticky", but keep watching because these cards are so sweet and authentic.

If you are having a tough day, listen to a few of these cards, and it will not only brighten your spirit, it will remind you how much good is in this world!

Thank you to my sister for giving me this gift, that we can share with others. #bostonstrong

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DOES SIZE MATTER?

Other than the size, do you notice anything different about the medal from the 2001 marathon and the 2025??

Some folks really have a hard time with change. Especially when it comes after 128 years of the same thing. Specifically, there were BIG discussions this year, as the UNICORN now faces the opposite direction:

I know...first world "problems", right? If nothing else, this is your fun trivia for the day - now you know the year that the Boston Marathon Unicorn "turned around"!

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