Welcome back to the Weekly Hurdle! This newsletter is free and will stay free thanks to sponsors and the individuals that opt-in to give. Your support is really appreciated.
Presented by Open:
I’m sitting in 22F right now. Three hours, 24 minutes left in flight until we arrive at Heathrow. Since 2013, I’ve trained for 11 marathons. Ran 10. Every single time, I feel awfully sentimental in the week leading up to the big dance. This week gearing up to finally take on the London Marathon — the race I didn’t get to run last year — is no exception.
Thousands and thousands of miles since that first summer of daunting strides in 2008, I still get the same whimsical butterflies before toeing the line. Each and every time I start a marathon — which has become my favorite distance — I think of the Emily in 2008 who was frightened to take the first step. Who was made to feel like she “shouldn’t” run because she didn’t have the “right” body to do so. That she would never do it “well” — so why bother at all.
Fourteen years later, I’m glad I paved my own path. A path drenched in growth and self-care. Determination and grit. Compassion and lessons.
Yesterday, someone asked me about what my goal was for my first-ever timed 26.2-mile jaunt through Hartford, Connecticut.
“Have fun and finish.”
“And did you?” they asked.
“I did. And it was so great, that I knew instantly I would do it again.”
For the first time in nine years, I have the same goal. To have fun and finish. And for me, that’s an all-new type of growth.
On Sunday, I run for joy.
On Sunday, I run for all of the other women who were made to feel like they couldn’t or shouldn’t start.
On Sunday, there will be no should-ing.
On Sunday, I do this for me.
I’ll see you on the other side. Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
I’m Listening To: “3 Techniques to Switch from Overthinking to Thinking Effectively” from On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Super. Helpful. Takeaways. In this episode, Shetty talks about the difference between overthinking and thinking effectively, what leads us to overthink things instead of thinking through them to get clear answers, and why we tend to overthink and lose focus.
I’m Watching: Untold Vol 1: Caitlyn Jenner
Was introduced to this whole series last night by a friend, and started with the Caitlin episode. Then, watched three more on my flight. If you’re a sucker for documentaries, you’ll dig this series.
Gear I’m Loving: New Balance Fresh Foam x 1080 Unlaced
I was 100 percent influenced to buy these from an Instagram ad, and they’ve been obscenely comfortable traveling in. I adore the classic 1080 for base mileage, so this laceless style is perfect for kicking around town, walking, and running errands. Especially when my plantar fasciitis is speaking up.
Product I’m Digging: TIDL Pain Relief Cryo Therapy Spray
I’ve tried a lot of topical sprays and balms, but this is the first one that I’ve gone through a whole can of in some time. It immediately cools whatever it’s applied to, relieving pain and easing discomfort — a game-changer for sore knees (damn you, tendonitis) and muscles.
Quote I’m Loving: “One breath. One step. One thing at a time.”
Thanks to my friends at Open for sponsoring this week’s newsletter.
Open is a digital mindfulness platform combining breathwork, meditation, and movement. It’s the first platform I’ve ever used that I’ve stuck with consistently, and trust me — I’ve tried many. Now, I do a breathwork class every single morning to clear my head before I reach for my journal. (If you told me I’d be saying that sentence a year ago, I wouldn’t have believed you.)
With Open, I feel more in tune with my body, a little more awake, and capable to handle whatever the day throws my way. They offer unlimited live and on-demand breathwork, meditation, yoga, pilates, and more for all levels, and unlike other platforms, you can connect directly with your teachers during in-class live streams.
Head over to WithOpen.com/Hurdle to get 30 days absolutely free, no strings attached. Come join me! Looking forward to us taking class together, ASAP.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 222. Sarah Sturm, Pro Cyclist
For the past 5 years, Sarah Sturm has trusted her gut and pursued a career as a professional cyclist. But it wasn't until recently that she took the leap of faith, leaving her 9-to-5 job as a designer to hit the saddle full-time. For episode 222, she tells us about that transition, and how she got started — stumbling into the best collegiate cycling program in the country. She also talks about what "doing good" means to her, gives us the lowdown on enneagrams, and dishes on all the expert-backed tips that beginner cyclists need to know. Hint: Leave the underwear behind.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: #HURDLEMOMENT: Essential Lessons From 3 Months of Attending Regular Physical Therapy
I spent the last three months going to MOTIV, a physical therapy studio, on Wednesday mornings. This week, I'm bringing my physical therapist, Luke Greenberg — co-founder of MOTIV — on the show to talk about what the experience was like for me. Super grateful for the five big lessons I learned throughout this experience, which we recap in this episode. From the importance of body awareness and commitment to "homework," to what Luke learned from working with me, this is an important listen for anyone in pursuit of a goal (especially, when dealing with some wonkiness of their own).
Bonus: MOTIV is offering Hurdlers free access to their mobility library for a month, with almost a hundred different classes ranging from intro to hip mobility and a 10-day shoulder reset to kettlebell tutorials and Kinstretch. Make sure to use code “HURDLE” at checkout!
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.