A Celebration To Remember: A Look Inside Apple Park
Won't even try to keep my cool, this was pretty awesome.
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Presented by Pillar Performance:
I spent Wednesday surrounded by about 100 health and wellness professionals from around the world at Apple Park, Apple’s HQ in Cupertino. As far as company headquarters go that are bucket list travel destinations, I’d say this is up there. I was invited to a field day (literally) in celebration of Global Close Your Rings Day, a holiday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch.
We did icebreakers. I played on the “red” flag football team with ultramarathoner Scott Jurek and former NFL pro Darien Johnson alternating at the quarterback position. Did yoga next to fitness personalities Kayla Itsines and Jeanette Jenkins. Found a moment of calm at a meditation pond and listened to the water recycle through the installation alongside my pal, Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Nikki Ogunnaike. Ran one of the coolest Strava segments of all time trying to catch Olympian Alysia Montaño. (Spoiler: There was absolutely no way.)
It felt like an alternate reality, honestly. A not-so-typical work day of so many sports and laughs that both of my cheeks hurt. (Seriously, why are my glutes so sore?)
… I also couldn’t help but reflect on the journey I’ve been on in the past 10 years, and how I’m doing things now my younger self didn’t even dream of. There are so many things that I have my hands in now (among them, podcasting) that I didn’t anticipate at 26 years old. But, even my Type A self knows that life laughs when you’re too keen on sticking to a single plan.
Candidly, some days I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing in the slightest, that I should be more organized or committed or have more answers. I should be farther along or more successful or more … [insert adjective here]. Still, I know this to be true: We are a summary of the folks that we surround ourselves with and the company we keep. And if yesterday day at Apple Park is any indication of that? Well, I’m doing something right, after all.
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
I’m Listening To: Good Hang with Amy Poehler
How have I never cracked into the comedy podcast category? Amy is such a hoot.
Gear I’m Loving: adizero Running Gel Pocket Crop Top
Wore this for the BAA 5K last weekend, and really loved it! It has so many pockets (back, side, and a chest one with a zipper) to stash gels, cards, and headphones. I wore a sports bra with mine, but if you’re smaller than a C cup — you could probably skip that.
Join Me At: WASHINGTON D.C. Shakeout Run & Panel With Every Women’s Marathon on Saturday, April 26
I’ll be hitting the ground running for a 5K in D.C. tomorrow morning and then hosting a conversation alongside two women featured in their new documentary, Forward Is A Pace. If you’re local, please come join! (Don’t forget to RSVP at the above link.)
“If you can change your mind, you can change your life.”
- William James
Other thoughts and links: Earlier this week Nike announced Breaking4, an event at Paris’ Stade Charléty which will echo Kipchoge’s iconic Breaking2 effort in the marathon. Except this time, it’s all about Faith Kipyegon — the current world record holder in the mile (4:07.64) — attempting to break the 4:00 barrier. No woman has ever done this before, and I am 100 percent geeked. Megan and Sue won a Webby for A Touch More. Caitlin Clark scored the second best-selling jersey across WNBA and NBA sales for 2024. Adidas announced their Pro Evo 2 yesterday, the second iteration of their elite racing shoe, and it looks stunning with its three bold red stripes. The sneaker retails for a whopping $500, and ambitious runners can sign up for a chance to get a pair. Des Linden announced her retirement from professional marathoning before her 12th Boston Marathon on Monday, and I most definitely cried. Former USWNT player Lauren holiday and her husband Jrue Holiday of the Celtics have joined the ownership group of the NWSL’s NC Courage, and Ali Krieger is League One Volleyball’s newest investor.
I’m really liking compiling all of these links week after week. Are you digging it? Or, have something you want me to nod to in an upcoming Weekly Hurdle? Or, just want to say hi? Let me know, and slam the button below:
MY SOMETHING NEW
One of my goals for 2025 is to do something new every single week. I wrote about this earlier this year. Dig it? Let me know in the comments ⬇️
Wednesday, April 16: Drink n Draft
Went to a creative writing workshop last Wednesday night put on by Little Nights, and I really enjoyed it! It was in the back of a bar called Saturn Road (so cute, especially their backyard) in Brooklyn. The ticket for this event was $23, but I’ve seen other ones for as low as $12.50. With the ticket, you got access to the workshop and an $8 voucher to use toward a drink of your choice.
As far as the format: The facilitator showed us a series of photos that we had to write on (examples: Three kids looking out an apartment window in baseball uniforms, a couple playing in the ocean waves, a woman sitting at the kitchen counter with a newspaper wearing big comfy socks). Participants had 10 minutes to write on each one, using different prompts (like write from the first-person, write using he/she, and make note of one thing you can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch).
Thanks to PILLAR Performance — Hurdle’s newest sponsor — for supporting this week’s newsletter.
Over the past year, I’ve completely rethought the way I think about my nutrition for sport. I work hard enough in the gym, and I want to make sure I’m giving my body the support it needs to both recover better and perform at its peak. That’s where PILLAR comes in. PILLAR is a performance health brand developed by leading sports scientists, dietitians, and athletes — focused on helping you show up to whatever you’ve got on deck in the best condition possible.
Now, PILLAR has a slew of vitamins and supplements that are in my regular rotation, but this week I want to talk about creatine specifically. PILLAR’s creatine monohydrate features single-origin Creapure® made in Germany, the purest form of creatine monohydrate available. I know you want to know: What are the benefits of taking it?
Energy production: Creatine helps replenish ATP, the body's primary energy source.
Enhanced recovery in training: Creatine reduces muscle damage and inflammation while promoting faster glycogen replenishment. TLDR: Quicker recovery between training sessions.
Cognitive benefits: Creatine supports brain function, reducing mental fatigue, and improving focus.
Now that I’ve got this as a part of my regular supplement routine, I’m never turning back. Try PILLAR today by going to TheFeed.com and use the code HURDLE for 15% off your first PILLAR purchase! Reading this from outside of the U.S.? Check them out at pillarperformance.shop.
This week I’m sitting down with Joy Allen-Altimare, the Chief Marketing Officer at Saucony. Such an interesting time to have this conversation with everything that’s going on both for the brand as they really are in this fun-to-watch reinvigoration phase, as well as what’s going on here in the U.S. with the tariffs.
Joy talks to me about how being a swimmer growing up in Chattanooga really shaped a big part of her mindset and empowered her to think differently and progressively as a leader. We talk about what it looks like for her to lift up other women both in and out of the office, and what we can expect from Saucony as a brand as we look ahead into the rest of 2025 and 2026. Plus: She also shares her takeaways on the evolution of sports style, and why it’s important to have your own board of directors.
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