One. Single. Mile.
One. Single. Mile.
1,760 yards. 5,280 feet. But, really, it's so much more than that.
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.
Also, BIG moment — Season 4 (!) of the show kicks off this Monday, October 12! Stay tuned. There are a lot of exciting conversations, guests, and vibes to come!
A mile. One single mile. Today at 7:30 a.m., I’m running one damn mile as fast as I can. That’s 1,760 yards. Or, 5,280 feet. I’m hoping to do it in 6 minutes or less. For the past few weeks, I’ve had butterflies thinking about it.
“As fast as I can.”
That’s meant a lot of different things for me over the years. When I started running (more about that, here), that meant 14-minute half-miles, carrying an extra 40 pounds along for the ride. I didn’t make the junior varsity volleyball team in high school because I couldn’t run a sub 10-minute mile. In 2013, I ran an average pace of 9:17/mile in my first marathon through the streets of Hartford, a 26.2-mile race.
26.2 consecutive fucking miles.
Lots of expletives already today. You can tell I’m feeling some kind of way.
Anyway. The quest to find my fast — to move “as fast as I can” — it’s one that’s challenged me over the years. Eight marathons and too many miles to count later, it’s a journey that’s made me who I am. A journey that’s encouraged me to better my best, embrace frustration, celebrate accomplishments, and get gritty. Sure, the journey has always been rich and meaningful and special.
This year, it feels even more-so.
Right now, it feels good to have butterflies about something. It feels good to be excited about a maybe-crazy goal and continue on this quest to unlock my own potential. In a time that’s been filled with so many ups and downs, shooting for that sub 6-minute dream gives me hope for more. A hope that doesn’t dwindle based on who walks in or out of my life, misconstrued text messages, gigs I do or don’t land, phone calls gone unanswered, an election, or a virus.
Quite literally, tomorrow I’ll show up to a track and run fast.
That’s all.
No official race bib.
No post-race party.
To some, it’s just one damn mile.
That’s OK.
I don’t need you to understand.
To me?
It’s so much more.
See you on the other side.
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PROMPT: What’s your crazy goal? Click “comment” and let me know below.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
BUY: WOLACO Biker Short ($50)
Mine arrived yesterday, and I am AMPED. I’ll be wearing them for today’s time trial. They are my Goldilocks run short, complete with two pockets (one big enough for cards and keys, and another for your phone). They’ve got a stay-put waistband and are long enough to help me avoid the dreaded thigh chafe (I go 7-inch inseam). Oh, and if you’re a man reading this, their North Moore short will rock your world.
LISTEN: My ‘Find Your Fast’ Playlist
Made this on Apple Music last year for the Brooklyn Mile, and still crank it when I’m hoping to pick up the pace. It’s only 30-or-so minutes in length. It may not be the hippest, but “Nice for What” and “DJ Turn It Up” get me HYPED every single damn time.
READ: Running to the Edge by Matthew Futterman
This is an oldie from my bookshelf. Yesterday, a follower named Marcus sent me a passage I shared a while back, a great reminder. It really hit home for me:
“When you think you are running hard, run harder. Try to keep running harder for longer than you think you can, bringing your body and your mind closer to the edge, that moment when the ritual becomes the revelation. Running, he knows, is filled with truths that can be found only when we learn to be comfortable with discomfort, to go to the place we fear more than any other — and stay there, without fear.”
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HURDLE BOOK CLUB
This month, we’re reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Book club will be 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.