We haven’t done one of these in a while, so I thought I’d ask a question I love because I feel like we’re one big group, out there doing our individual things, and this gives us a chance to come together, even if only virtually.

So, how is your running going so far this year? Have you accomplished anything you’re particularly proud of, whether it’s a new distance, a new time, or something really cool/fun?

And on the other hand — have you hit any roadblocks? Anything keeping you from getting in your miles, or taking care of your fitness, the way you’d like?

I’ll chime in too in the comments, but I always love to hear from you — feel free to share if you’ve run a big race you’re really proud of, or have one coming up, or really just anything 😀 — Terrell

Leave a comment

Subscribe now

So, a little about my running history: I started back when I was in my twenties, first with runs around my neighborhood park and later ramping up to 5Ks and 10Ks. It was only when a friend of mine suggested training for a marathon together that I even considered running a distance as long as 26.2 miles — but I surprised myself and did it.

I ran two more full marathons — in all, I’d run marathons in Bermuda, Washington D.C. and San Diego — but the friends I’d trained with for those races mostly stopped running those kinds of distances, so I did too. And switched over to halfs, which I’ve more or less stuck with since.

What I noticed is that, as the half marathon distance became more popular over the years, people ran marathons — the 26.2-mile distance, I mean — less and less, to the point where many cities stopped offering them in their big annual race weekends.

But things always change. Over the past few years, especially as the World Marathon Majors have expanded and grown, I hear about and see people talking about training for 26.2 more and more.

My question today: what about you? Do you have any interest in running 26.2, and/or have you put a marathon on your calendar lately? What’s inspiring you to try the distance (especially if you never have) and how are you fitting it into your life? — Terrell

Leave a comment

Morning, friends! ☀️ For our first Friday thread discussion of 2026, I thought I’d throw out a question I love to ask because it shows where we’re all scattered around the planet — over the years, I’ve heard from readers in just about every state, plus Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jerusalem, Tajikistan, India, Italy, France, Poland, Lithuania… the list goes on and on and on.

Some of you have already used these threads to meet up for races in person — which is awesome! — and I love it because it gives us the chance to get to know each other better, and perhaps meet up to run together in person, whether it’s for a race or to set up a weekend running group.

And since we’ve had lots of new people sign up since the new year began, I thought I’d ask: where are you from/where do you live out there in the world? Where do you love to run? 😀 — Terrell

Leave a comment

Now that we’re fully into fall, it’s a time of year we’ll all be spending more time indoors, the perfect time to curl up with a book. Right now, I’m in the middle of two or three books I’m enjoying immensely. (Maybe even three or four, depending on what catches my eye.)

I always love to know what’s on your minds, so I thought I’d ask a question I throw out there from time to time: what are you reading, especially if it’s something you’re loving? What has grabbed your attention, is something you can’t put down? (It doesn’t have to be a book; it can be a great magazine article you’ve read lately, or a newsletter you’re loving.)

I always love hearing what’s capturing your imagination. — Terrell

Leave a comment

Morning, friends! ☀️ I know I haven’t been consistent about posting Friday threads recently, but let’s use today’s as a chance to get back on track — I’ve always loved our Friday discussions, and with the New York City Marathon coming up this weekend, it’s a good time to connect.

I’d also like to turn the mic over to you and let everyone feel free to ask away with any question you have — there are so many readers here who can help, and might have just the insight you’re looking for.

So, consider this a completely open thread, ask away on any topic. Because it’s the last day of October — it’s Halloween! 👻🎃 — I’m particularly interested if you’re:

• Running the New York City Marathon this weekend?

• Have a big long run you’re gearing up for and need a little encouragement?

• If you’re dressing up, what are you going as for Halloween tonight?

• Anything of interest that you’d like to share

Let your freak flag fly! 🏁 — Terrell

Leave a comment

Morning, friends! ☀️ I hope you’re waking up to — or have already started! — a pleasant Friday morning. Today here in Atlanta is just a picture-perfect fall day; the air is crisp and cool, the wind is blowing, and the sun is shining.

Today is one of those Fridays where I don’t have a specific question to ask, so I thought I’d check in:

• Have a question? Or a thought to share?

• Something cool/interesting that happened this week?

• Any accomplishments or goals you reached? Running-related, or not?

Feel free to chime in! — Terrell

Leave a comment

Morning, everyone! ☀️ Now that October is officially here, that means marathon (and half marathon) season is in full swing, so I thought I’d reach out with a question to everyone: do you have a race on the calendar this fall, or are you planning a trip to run someplace you’ve always dreamed of?

I’d also love to know if you’re planning on joining us in a few weeks for the Atlanta 10-Miler — if you are, let me know! — Terrell

Leave a comment

👉 First: let me take this opportunity to remind you that I’ll be hosting a group run this October here in my hometown at the Atlanta PNC 10-Miler, for any and all THM subscribers who’d like to join. We’ll get together for a three- or four-mile run on Saturday, Oct. 18 before a group dinner, followed by the race on Sunday morning, Oct. 19. I hope you can make it!

And now, our Friday Thread question: what race(s) or event(s) are you planning on running in the second half of the year, now that we’re fully into the latter half of 2025? What are you dreaming about and/or training for — what’s your goal for the rest of this year?

It could be anything — it doesn’t have to be a race, it could be simply “get in better shape,” “be able to do a hundred push-ups,” “run three miles without stopping,” or even “walk every day this month.” Or, it could be “stop drinking for the rest of the year,” “abstain from sweets,” etc. It’s all great, it’s all fair game.

I always love hearing what’s getting you going, and what you’re aiming for — Terrell

Leave a comment

Here where I live in Atlanta, for the past few weeks it has felt like we’ve been living in a rain forest — we’ve had stormy downpours almost every single day since the start of the month. From what I can see in our forecast, though, that’s about to come to an end as summer officially kicks off today.

Just look at that temperature forecast map for today from The Weather Channel — Rapid City, S.D., and Denver will hit 102 degrees! (While, oddly enough, Miami will remain below 90° 🤷‍♂️)

My question to you is, do you enjoy running in the heat? (I know some of you do!) If so, how do you do it/prepare for it? Take any special precautions, or do you just love it no matter what the temperature is? Are you still getting outside for your runs — and able to get them in safely?

Leave a comment

As you probably know already, I share a list of races I think you’ll love running for paid subscribers every Sunday; but it occurred to me that maybe I can put this trove of information in the back of my mind to use in a different way.

So, I thought to myself, how about throw the question out to you — do you have a place, or a race, in mind that you’ve always wanted to run, but didn’t know how to find it?

Say, a race along the Grand Canyon, or through the streets of Paris? On a Greek island, maybe, or through a jungle trail in Costa Rica? Or maybe along the edge of California’s Pacific coast, or somewhere else?

Describe what you’re looking for, and I’ll try to find a race there for you — just drop it in the comments and we’ll go from there 🙌 — Terrell

Leave a comment

Speaking for myself, I’m always flummoxed when I walk into a running store, because I wear the same running shorts and shirts for years on end (until they basically don’t exist anymore!).

And then, by the time I go into a store, the merchandise has changed and I’ve completely forgotten what I need to get.

What do you like, or love, among what you’re finding? What brands to consider (and which ones to avoid), how to take care of your clothing, and what’s best for the kind of running you do?

If you know a lot about running clothing, wear or gear of any kind, please share your tips and secrets! 😀 — Terrell

Leave a comment

I was wondering how it’s gone for you — did you run a race you’ve always had your heart set on, and if so, how did it go? Or, did you get out to run in a place you’ve always dreamed about, whether for a race or just on your own? Did you try something adventurous you hadn’t before?

I always love hearing about your experiences, so feel free to share yours, no matter what it is — even if it’s something you feel great about but might not seem like a big goal, like being consistent for the first time in a long time. (Which is what I’m most proud of for myself this year.) — Terrell

Leave a comment

Which means, maybe today might be the perfect time to do a little daydreaming, right? This morning, I just happened to pick up an old book off my shelf, Becky Wade’s Run The World: My 3,500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around the Globe.

In the book, she shares the story of a fellowship she took after college, during which she traveled to 22 countries and lived with members of the running community in each, talking and training and cooking and learning with them, every day for a year.

Whenever I walk past it, I almost always pick it up and thumb through it, both for the stories Wade shares and because it gives me a moment to daydream — what would it be like to run in Africa? What would it be like to run through the jungles of Costa Rica? I’ve run in a number of places and cities across the U.S., but have only barely scratched the surface of running internationally, just here and there.

So I thought I’d throw a question out to you: let’s daydream together. Where in the world would you love to run, whether it’s for a race or just on your own? What would you love to experience?

Leave a comment

To kick us off this morning, I thought I’d ask a question I ask occasionally, but I always love because I feel like we’re one big group, out there doing our individual things, and this gives us a chance to come together, even if it’s only virtually.

So, how is your running going so far this year? Have you accomplished anything you’re particularly proud of, whether it’s a new distance, a new time, or something really cool/fun?

Is there anything you’re struggling with, that you might need help with? There are so many knowledgeable people here in our group, I know either me or someone else will have wisdom and advice to share.

I’ll chime in too in the comments, but I always love to hear from you — so, how are things going for you, in fitness, running and health?

Leave a comment

I don’t know how many of you have been around since the very beginning, but on this day 10 years ago — March 14, 2015 — I sent out the first issue of the newsletter that would become The Half Marathoner, to just a handful of subscribers.

To say it’s grown far, far beyond my wildest imagination is a huge understatement — sometimes I sit back and I’m just amazed at what it’s become, the community we’ve developed and all the things we’ve shared together as friends over the years. I never, ever could have planned this in a million years! And each and every one of you has been a big part of that, every step of the way.

To celebrate, I’d love to get together again in person to run a race, like we did in the fall of 2023 at the Richmond Half Marathon and last fall in Athens, Ga. Just like last time, I’ll send out a training plan in advance and coach us each week, and we’ll plan some activities around the race too.

My question today is, where would be a good race/city to run together? Richmond was ideal in a lot of ways — it’s easy to get to by plane, it has plenty of hotels, it’s a beautiful city, and the race itself is do-able for just about any runner.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your ideas + suggestions. — Terrell

Leave a comment

Now, though, newer music has caught my ear, especially after having kids of my own — all of whom love Taylor Swift, the artist who’s had probably the biggest influence on my household of anyone.

So, I’ve had the chance to hear (a lot of!) her music, and some of it is really good to run to — “Style,” “Welcome to New York,” and especially “I Think He Knows”:

I love the beat of the song — it has the perfect time signature for running, I think — and especially the last few bars, they’re just magic and get me going faster every time I listen to it.

Which makes me wonder, what’s your favorite song to run to? What’s the one song that, every time you put it on, gets your heart and legs going, maybe even without you realizing it?

What song gets you, like Taylor sings, “skipping down 16th Avenue”? — Terrell

Leave a comment

I know we’re just a few short weeks away from the start of spring, but if you’re like me, you’re still catching up with the reading you dreamed about during the holidays, when I received an armful of books as gifts (and, of course, picked up a few for myself when I was at the bookstore looking for gifts for others 😉). Which means, my cup is overflowing with things to read now.

If you’re like me, and this time of year brings a bunch of new books into your life, what are you reading now? Even if you haven’t picked up anything new and are turning to books you’ve loved and read in the past, what’s catching your interest?

I always love hearing what’s capturing your imagination. — Terrell

Leave a comment

What are you dreaming about/aiming for/looking forward to this spring, summer or fall when it comes to running? Do you have a big goal race on your calendar, a new distance you’re shooting for, or anything else that is getting you excited to get out there and run?

Just yesterday, an old friend of mine completed the World Marathon Challenge, in which participants run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days — yes, it’s a real thing! — but don’t feel like your goal or challenge needs to be that big.

So, what are you aiming for this year? — Terrell

Leave a comment

In case you’ve been trapped under something heavy for the past week, here in the Southeast where I live, we’ve seen record cold temperatures and snow in places that haven’t seen it in decades — like New Orleans, which saw over 8 inches and people skiing down Bourbon Street ⛷️ ?!!

All of this has made me wonder, how many of you are out running in this cold, and what is the threshold for you to say, “uh-uh, I’m staying inside” vs. “let’s do this!”?

How cold is too cold for you to run outside, and what is the coldest you’ve ever found yourself actually going outside to run?

You know I love hearing your stories — I know some of you live in seriously cold places, so I love hearing how extreme it gets where you are. Let’s hear it! — Terrell

Leave a comment

It occurred to me earlier this week that I usually open up our Friday discussion thread with a specific question, but it’s been a long time since I gave you the chance to ask anything you want

So — especially now that the seasons are changing, many of you have completed races you’d planned, or are looking forward to joining us in November for the Athens Half Marathon — I thought I’d throw this out there: is there anything you’d like to ask me?

What are you curious about? What do you have on your mind? Feel free to ask anything at all 😃 — Terrell

Leave a comment