Feeling Overwhelmed, But In a Good Way
I'm all for finding silver linings. HBU?
Welcome back to the Weekly Hurdle! Every Friday, 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 or DM me on social @hurdlepodcast and @emilyabbate with your thoughts. This newsletter is free and will stay free thanks to sponsors and the individuals that opt-in to give. Consider signing up as a paid subscriber.
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When we left off the last time I was talking to you about the mile time trial. Well, it happened, and it went well. Really well! For more on that, listen to Wednesday’s #HURDLEMOMENT episode, where I talk about what it felt to like to finally run a sub-6:00 mile.
But what really stood out to me about last Friday — beyond the actual mile — was how over-the-top loved and appreciated I felt leading up to it, during it, and afterward. On a week-to-week basis, I’m constantly giving to both my IRL (“in real life”) friends and family as well as the Hurdle community. It’s who I am. I love doing it. Showing up for others as much as possible is my love language.
“Acts of service,” I think is the proper term.
In 2020, I’ve felt often like my cup was empty. Likely comes from a whole lot of alone time a la quarantine. For a while there, I started to wonder “when is this all going to come back to me?” I came to understand that I needed to provide happiness for myself, too. Over time, I became less dependent on external sources for comfort or validation, which hasn’t been easy. Lots of self work. Journaling. Reading. Listening. In that process, I’ve noticed that I’ve gradually shifted from a place of expectation and hope in my relationships to gratitude for what is. That shift has enabled me to really, really appreciate when people do show up.
Friday was one of those days.
Running this mile, first and foremost, was me showing up for me. Me prioritizing my goals and accepting a fair share of opportunity cost to make it happen. While the mile was the culmination of a lot of hard work, athletically, it was also the culmination of a lot of personal work as well. The mile was an example of what happens when I put myself first.
… The fact that my people and community showed up because they knew that this was important to me? I felt overwhelmed in the best way. The event triggered meaningful conversations with friends and family and an emotional response that I wasn’t all that prepared for at all.
I went to a small café after the mile was over with two good friends on Friday morning. Sitting on a small bench sipping a hot coffee, I teared up talking about this. Friday I felt truly connected — both to myself and my goals and to the people I care about. In a year that’s been so full of change and major shifts, people coming and going, Friday felt like a true gift.
My cup feels full.
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PROMPT: When was the last time you made it a point to show up for someone you cared about?
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK
“If you had to choose one sneaker for your runs, what would it be?”
As you know, that’s a hard question to answer because I have a lot of sneakers. But, if I had to choose one pair, I would go with the Nike Pegasus 37. It’s my most-used pick of this year for sure. Admittedly, I likely would pick something else for anything casual north of 14 miles (rare). For that, I’d lean Nike Vomero, New Balance 1080, or Saucony Endorphin Pro.
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Thanks to Goodr — maker of fun, fashionable, and functional sunglasses that everyone can afford — for sponsoring today’s newsletter.
Fact: You’ll be hard-pressed to find active sunglasses that are as excellent as Goodrs. Not only are they polarized, super cozy, and no-bounce, but they also start at $25 (!). I’m a h-u-g-e fan of their Operation Blackout: Mach Gs, which are perfect for both running intervals at the track and casually wearing to my post-coffee errands.
Fun fact: Hurdle listeners have been LOVING this deal! (Fun fact: Goodr thinks the Hurdlers are rad, too, so that’s pretty cool.) If you’ve already got your shades, tag the show on social and share a photo of you wearing your new glasses! Haven’t redeemed, yet? Head on over to goodr.com/hurdle and use “HURDLE10” at checkout for $10 off your purchase, ASAP!
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HIGHLIGHTS
CHECK OUT: Pizza to the Polls Is a Thing
There is a website that you can go to and send pizza to individuals waiting in line at polling locations. I wish I came up with this.
LISTEN: Born or Made by Michael Chernow
I’m talking to my good friend, restaurateur Michael Chernow this week for his podcast Born or Made. In it, he asks folks if they are just that — born to do what they are doing or made via hard work. Listen in, and you’ll see that my answer to that question is … complicated. You’ll also hear all about my upbringing, summer camp days, and some nitty gritty particulars about my personal weight-loss journey.
BUY: Make American Green Again hat from the Sierra Club
Fall is idyllic baseball cap weather, and this one is great. Featuring the slogan “Make America Green Again,” the proceeds from this hat support the Sierra Club’s work advancing climate solutions, fighting for clean air and water, and keeping our wild places wild.
READ: This Post by Emily Infeld
I’ve got a soft spot for Em now because she’s a Hurdler, and her caption from earlier this week really hit home for me. A teaser: “Self belief is crucial in this sport and in life. There will always be voices of doubt around you, just don’t let those voices change you.”
BUY: Nike Pegasus 37 Shield By You
Throwing this one in here, as well, because I got a flood of messages Tuesday morning when I laced up in these babies to tackle a wet-weather run. The newest iteration of my favorite rainy day sneaker just dropped, and is currently available to any Nike+ member (free to join). They’ve got really great traction for wet roads and a water-repellent finish. I biked down to the track, did a workout, and my socks were STILL dry when I went to take off my sneakers an hour later.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT HURDLE?
I’m so glad you asked! Start by telling your friends, sharing this edition of the Weekly Hurdle, and/or leaving a comment below!
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SUPPORT THE SPONSORS: Athletic Greens! Four Sigmatic! Daily Harvest! WHOOP! SO many more! For a complete list of Hurdle’s sponsors — including a ton of GREAT offers and discount codes — click here.
CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS
All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website.
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
HURDLE BOOK CLUB
This month, we’re reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Book club will be this coming week on October 20, at 8 p.m. Register to join, here! First come, first serve, up to 100 attendees!
ALSO! Don’t forget about our One Million Miles for Justice team! This time around, a portion of the race proceeds will support the Children's Defense Fund, a national child advocacy organization that works to uplift all children — especially poor children and children of color.
Click the link above to join team “Hurdlers” (or — make sure to enter the team name at checkout). First time joining in the fun? Use the code “HURDLERS5” for $5 off registration. If you participated previously, use “RETURNPHASE2” for a discount.