50 Miles in May
Things didn't start how I'd hoped, but that's what made it a challenge to remember.
Welcome to the first installment of the Weekly Hurdle! Each week, I’ll share a blog post, follow it up with a thought-provoking prompt to take you into the weekend, and finish things off with some content picks. Please, tag/DM me on social @emilyabbate with your thoughts!
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I was mad.
OK, mad feels like a stretch.
I was *frustrated.*
For the past few years, every Thursday morning I’d wake up to a 5:45 a.m. alarm. I’d linger around in bed until 5:52ish, then get up, pack my bag, and make my way down the four flights of stairs, out the door, and down three different escalators toward the New York City subway at 86th Street on the upper east side. Emerging from the Q train at Herald Square, I’d be finishing up my coffee and an episode of The Daily before walking into Nike’s New York headquarters. There, I’d join a handful of journalists for #mediamiles — a weekly run that was fun (because, camaraderie!) and challenging (because, great access to Nike’s top coaches).
We’ve run in the rain and the snow and the wind and the sun. We’ve run in good times and bad times and during lay-off times (because, publishing). We’ve celebrated personal bests; many of the #mediamiles runners have even crossed off a marathon from their bucket list since joining the club.
It’s inspiring, really.
But when coronavirus took hold over life as we know it, quarantine began, and many of us started ordering too many pairs of sweatpants online, this gathering was one of the first things to be put on hold. It was also one of the things I missed most from my regular routine. Don’t get me wrong, other weekly constants — like heading into my 25th Street WeWork office and seeing my favorite community leaders or sitting at the dimly lit bar at Bar Primi with a glass of Barolo in hand debating between the bucatini and the Nutella sundae (the answer is always both) — I miss those, too. But, in New York City, your friends become your family. One big, diverse, all-over-the-place family.
While I’m lucky to have made many friends in my time here, I’ve never had one big friend group that did everything together. No Charlotte, Samantha, Carrie, Miranda situation where we meet up at the diner every other Tuesday to talk about the fling of the week or work woes.
#MediaMiles, in a weird way, kind of felt a little bit like that, though. In the good and bad times, I kept showing up, and my “family” would be there waiting. They want you to be your best, whether it on the run or elsewhere. And to me, well, I think that’s pretty special.
Anyway. Back to the whole frustrated part. The feelings of aggression, they didn’t come from the sheer fact that we could no longer meet up. As May 1 approached, we were offered the opportunity to participate in a virtual running challenge: Log 50 miles in May using the Nike Run Club app. (Fun fact: Anyone can create a “challenge” within this app with friends.)
According to my Garmin, I was running between 30 and 40 miles a week in February. In March? A little less, between 20 and 30. But come April, I ran 26 miles total. Sidelined with some discomfort in my piriformis, I struggled with wanting to indulge in the thing that feeds my soul versus take a step back for the betterment of my body. I was on my fourth week of no running when the challenge came through my inbox.
I was *frustrated.*
How would I do this with how things are now? Am I capable of this? I can’t even run. We won’t be together. It’s not the same. What’s the point?
Stage one was complaining. I did a lot of it, to myself anyway. I wrote a slew of expletive-filled rants in my journal, venting on the lightly lined pages about the things that weren't. By the time May 1 rolled around, I made a commitment to myself: I would stop complaining about the thing I couldn’t change, and recognize the facts.
So. These were the facts:
I wanted to participate.
I shouldn’t be running a ton right now.
I decided to start walking. Even if every single one of those 50 May miles were at a 17:00/mile coffee-sipping pace, I would get them done. I would be included. I would feel like I was back with my “family” again.
The scenario was a little bit different than before. No alarm or eerily quiet, early subway ride necessary. I’d open my eyes naturally when the sun and sounds of birds chirping perched on my fire escape permeated through the window pane, around 6:18 a.m. I’d put up a kettle, do a series of stretches, and change into a sports bra and leggings. With a tumbler of coffee in my right hand, spritz sanitizer in my pocket, and a mask on my face, I’d walk down the four flights of stairs and get on my way.
Not just on Thursdays, though. Every day.
With time, I became less mad about the difference between my new routine and my old routine. In fact, I even came to enjoy the regularity. The familiar scent of fresh tulips signaling spring’s descent on New York, something that doesn’t wane if you’re not moving at a sub-9:00 pace. The sweet sip of my home brew, which always spills a bit, regardless of how careful I am. The familiar faces of doormen, waiting for someone — anyone — to greet as foot traffic is at an all-time low.
With time, the miles started to rack up. Once I crossed the 30-mile threshold, I got the clear from my physical therapist to do a run/walk. And on the final day which would bring me over the 50-mile mark, I finished off the effort with a 5-minute stretch of running, pushing the pace as my watch ticked past my daily 5K goal.
I started hesitant.
I started with excuses.
I finished optimistic.
I finished, period.
Things don’t always go as we’d hope. But when you’re willing to accept them as they are, move forward with what you have, and do what you can — there are always going to be lessons to learn and something to gain. As I walked back up the four floors to my apartment with an iced coffee reward in hand, I felt grateful for it all. The slow miles. The fast miles. My New York City “family.” And the opportunity to keep pushing through.
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PROMPT: What’s one thing you didn’t want to do this month that made you better?
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THIS WEEK’S PICKS
ACTIVITY: NYCWFF At-Home Cooking Events
The New York Food & Wine Festival is hosting regular virtual cooking classes. Last week, I took one with the co-founders of The Meatball Shop, Michael Chernow (check out his episode of Hurdle) and Daniel Holzman, and I finally made meatballs that my grandmother would be proud of. Great activity to do with loved ones you can’t be with IRL.
PODCAST: Radio Headspace
Headspace recently launched a new podcast, that’s basically 5-minute-or-less of co-founder Andy Puddicombe (peep his episode of Hurdle) sharing a story and offering up some calming wisdom. His voice is possibly the most soothing thing you’ll hear in 2020 (and beyond).
>>>> Bonus: Andy and I sat down for a conversation earlier this week on Instagram Live. Take a peep at that, here.
READ: Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor
I’m reading this book for the second time right now, and it’s full of gems from American record holder Deena Kastor (another past Hurdler, peep her episode here). Great for runners and non-runners alike. A pull quote:
“On some days, the positive path is harder to find and we have to be relentless in its pursuit. But a better outlook is always there and well worth chasing. On the other side are potential and possibility.”
AN OFFER!
This week’s Hurdle guest is Rich Froning, 4-time ‘Fittest Man on Earth’ and all-around awesome human. Froning’s a Reebok-sponsored athlete, so they’ve got a great deal for all of you! It’s 40 percent off full- and sale-price picks at Reebok.com. Snag it ASAP (only 100 redemptions available). Use code “HURDLE” at checkout, some exclusions apply.
❤️
Emily I love this!