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Hey everyone! One thing I wanted to share -- that I forgot to add in Wednesday's newsletter -- was that the New York Road Runners have announced what the virtual New York City Marathon will look like this November.

It looks to be a really well-run and interactive virtual experience, and I'm strongly considering taking part. Here's all the info: https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a33302450/2020-virtual-nyc-marathon/

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Good morning! Happy Friday! Since March I have been running consistently. In the past when training for a half, I followed a plan, ran my race, then really backed off for two or three weeks bc my body needed the break.

In June I signed up for the blue ridge to the beach challenge. 475 miles by Dec 1. I love it! I find myself pushing a little harder to get up a hill, picking up my pace a bit to finish a run.

During all of this craziness I find that I have a better outlook on my day if I consistently run 5-6 miles four times a week. This challenge keeps me going without putting the stress of really long runs on my body.

The older I get, the more I listen to my body when I run. For me, it isn't about the bling. I just want to be able to keep on running!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

With all my races cancelled, then the backup races cancelled, then the backups to the backups also cancelled, I decided to participate in the self-supported Great Southern Endurance Run 100 miler through Atlanta (going to attempt this on Aug 28th). It means a TON of training in the heat, mileage upwards of 60 miles/week, and it will mean a lot of time and resources from my friends and family to help me along the way. It seemed a bit silly with everything going on, plus I was needing extra motivation - so I'll be fundraising for Back On My Feet and dedicating my run to their efforts! I launched the fundraising page yesterday, and I'm such a huge advocate for their work to combat homelessness, but it's been a big lift in my spirits this week seeing all the support and donations from my network. If you're interested in learning more, supporting, or sharing it with your network, here is the link to the fundraising page: https://give.backonmyfeet.org/BENRUNS100FORBOMF

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Hello from Wisconsin! I would like to share that I have been seeing a physical therapist for my back. She is also a runner and she has shown me some great stretches and is helping me to correct some items that have lead to my back problems. My times are a little longer but I can really feel the difference that these appointments have made and they will only get better! Have a great Friday and weekend!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I don’t think I mentioned the other day, but 2 weeks after I got laid off on 6/26 the company who bought my company hired me back, for a few weeks. They did not do well in the transition of my job. So my old boss asked me to consider coming back. I said I only wanted to work Mon-Thu.

So today on my day off I rode 30 miles on a paved bike trail on the other side of town. (Cincinnati) I have been riding more and more the past few weeks. It was a lot but besides the fun, I am hoping it will help with cross-training.

I did a 4 mile run yesterday and hopeful to hit the 6 tomorrow. It cooled down some here so it was only 72 when I hit the trail at 8:20 this morning 😁

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For me, I’ve been consistently running the last few months and I finally feel like fitness is coming back.

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

With my wife and I both working full time and caring for our toddler (with no day care), I've had less time to run. (Unlike most other runners, it sounds like!) It was stressing me out that I couldn't find the time to get in the miles I was used to.

So I've just accepted that if I'm going to run as often as I'd like (4x/week), it'll have to be with the kiddo, and the runs will be short (2-4 miles) because of the heat. Now that I've accepted that my half-marathon-level training just doesn't make sense for the next several months, I'm not stressing out about it, and I'm just concentrating on enjoying my time with the kid. I'll get back to longer runs when I can, but in the mean time, I'm just going to do what I can do, and that will be enough.

Peace, y'all!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I got a tri wet suit the other day so I've now added open water swimming to my work outs. The other day I swam 3/4s of a mile which is the furthest I've ever swam as I only go swimming once a year on dive vacations which consist of more floating than swimming. I'm pretty excited to add it into my mix of cardio as the half Iron Man I currently signed up for is still on as of yet!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I’ve stayed consistent, if not more dedicated, to my running since March. (I actually signed up with one of the coaches you had on your podcast Terrell!) Running is one of the things that has gotten me through this.

One of the best things that has come out of stay-home-&-work for me, besides being in better shape & less stressed, is that I met more people in my neighborhood! There are a consistent set of people I see out walking/running when I’m out. We talk, joke, share updates on stuff, and it’s been awesome! Their kindness & support when they see me has been life changing. I’m going to miss seeing them when/if I go back to school & have to switch to running in the afternoons. At least I’ll see them again on Saturdays, holidays, & next summer.

My 2 races in southern Utah are still on! (It’s not too far for me to travel to.) One is at the end of Aug & one in Nov. I’m excited!!!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

For me the best thing to happen this year is being able to work from home. My employer was really resistant to having a work from home policy and now we have proven that we can still get the work done outside of the office. Normally I commute just over an hour each way so getting that two hours back in my day has been wonderful. I have been using that time to get a little longer run or strength training session in than I used to and also to get a little extra sleep. I can get dinner done earlier and have some extra time to spend with my husband in the evenings. I am hopeful that we will continue working from home for some time.

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I'm good! I put my clothes out the night before so I see them first thing in the morning. It's warm here in Southern California, so I go out around 5:30 am and beat the traffic and most other morning exercisers. So long as I get some outside time to run/jog/walk and meditate, then I'm good and I'll be alright. On social media, I follow both the Half Fanatics site and the 100x13.1 site to stay motivated. I love seeing others' accomplishments and marvel in the occasional "real" race.

As far as the rest of social and network media, I ignore it. Too much noise and not balanced information.

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I am mainly a runner, and have been for about 10 years since my early 50s. Mostly 5K-10K, but completed 8 half marathons, my final one at age 60. For the past year or so, I've also begun riding my bike, but not too seriously... I completed 2 duathlons last year, but not competitively.

After COVID-19 cancelled all my 2020 races, I finally gave in and signed up for (ugh!) a virtual race. It was a run-or-ride option, for 131 miles "from Central Park to Montauk Lighthouse" they said. I could record my miles however I wanted, ride or run any portion, using the honor system, and I didn't need to use any more sophisticated technology than a stopwatch.

Well, my "good thing" is that it made me start taking cycling more seriously, since I can rack up the miles so much faster! I now cycle more hours than I run, and I'm well into my third virtual duathlon.

I know I'll never lose my love for running, especially when the weather gets cooler in the fall. But for now, I have gained a serious interest in cycling. Whatever my mood, whatever the weather, I can almost always do one or the other. Ride on!!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

the best thing about quarantine is all the time to exercise! i've added an extra running day to my week, and it has just been great to run relaxed because i'm not really training for anything. and doing some of the virtual runs has just been fun!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Just joined your group this week so hello to everyone. I’ve continued working at my office thru all of this so far. Plenty of stress at work but very thankful for my job. I’m more consistent with my running since the pandemic with 3 runs per week. I’ve also added hiking on a weekend day in the Great Smoky Mountains. Discovered that running helps my endurance but hiking works different muscles! Running and hiking are helping me relax, sleep better and deal with all the craziness around me.

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Well, this was the first time that I weighed in physically at WW since 3/10. So after 4 months in the time of a pandemic I only gained 1.6 pounds. It was a good affirmation that I have some control over my health and well being. Have a great weekend everyone!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Sorta hot out in Savannah, so I ran at beach at Tybee Island - every couple miles I got in the water to cool off - worked great ! Did my 8 getting ready for Rock n Roll marathon in Nov

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I ran in Fussen, germany last July. Half marathon. It was so hot but the most lovely place. The people were the best part of experience other than lovely route. It’s to be enjoyed first:) It was tough. Still the best journey:)

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Honestly, where I run. I don’t know the exact mileage. Will figure that out:)

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Cool and rainy here in Seattle today. Feels great! Tomorrow the clouds are due to part and leave us cool and sunny. Looking forward to my 6 miles in the quiet morning. The Nike running app sent a reminder to put aside my obsessive pace and distance expectations and focus instead on “why I run”. Plan to try that tomorrow to see if that awakens my magical thinking and enjoyment of the experience.

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

This month I markEd a new milestone of running about 3 times a week for a full year! I typically would take some months off after finishing a race or not really run in the heat of summer. My PT finally helped me understand that I could reduce injury risks if I ran easy runs every week even when I’m not training. I feel great! 💪🏼 😊

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I have been able to fit running into my lifestyle somewhat successfully and am starting to run more. Also my pool will be reopening so I won't have to go an entire summer without swimming!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Just received notice that the Revel Run Big Bear is canceled for Nov 2020. They offered a virtual race, but I deferred to 2021. Instead my sister and I are going to run it on our own. There's nothing more wonderful than running down the mountains at 6am.

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I have been working from home since the end of 2007 and my wife just retired from her public education administration job and joined a consulting firm at the beginning of 2020. Since her travel plans were cancelled for the month of March (and April…and May…and June…AND July!)—to include a planned mini getaway to NYC in March and Chicago half marathon in May—she got into the “task mode” and we painted, cleaned out closets, reorganized the (my) garage, and scoped out what was stored in the (my) garage attic. While moving around in the Air Force we never had to chance to accumulate that much “stuff” (or dust) before. A few weeks ago, I actually built and installed 12 under cabinet pullout drawers. Now that was work!! (And still focused on her list of projects!) Personally, I am looking forward to being around friends and family again—and hugging—but meanwhile, it is great knowing you can still be best friends with the one you married—and it was 33 years for us this past April. That’s my “positive point” during COVID…and the running has been on track. I am seeing a lot more activity out there from others, too!

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Jul 18, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

A little late but here's "a few things I'm thankful for" #1: my 5.5 mile run last week. I paced myself slow at the beginning and kept increasing my pace mile by mile. It was the first time I've run where each successive mile was faster than the one before! I'm also really enjoying my night runs (when work allows). This week hasn't been a good run week with working 7a-4p instead of 10a-7p means I can't do my night runs (8:30pm-10pm) and I'm NOT running in 90-100 degree weather + humidity. Having this week to rest is ultimately a good thing, though!

#2 A safe neighborhood to run in at night. I light myself up with a headlamp and a blinking belt and carry pepper spray just to be safe. There is something magical about how the world looks and feels once the sun goes down.

#3 A close-ish place to enjoy water and river kayaking that's only 45 min from my place. I took my dog kayking with me for the first time 4th of July weekend and he did great staying in the boat! It was so nice to be on the water and enjoy nature. I even saw a bald eagle adult and young adult!

#4 Making progress with my first online class! Working toward my Bachelor of Science while working full time, and I'm enjoying this season of few distractions and opportunity to work toward that!

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

I have been training really hard the last 10 weeks for what would have been my 5th Revel Big Cottonwood Canyon-Salt Lake City run and first marathon. I was trying to be very optimistic that it wouldn't be cancelled, but I was training like it was still on, until I got the official cancellation email. I was truly heart broken as so many of us are and have been during this pandemic. Because Revel races are so awesome and have a fantastic option of running a non-virtual race via OYO I will still be running a certified course on that weekend and will get in some miles in the beautiful Big Cottonwood Canyon. Never give up and just keep running! :)

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Jul 17, 2020Liked by Terrell Johnson

Well... where to start? I was probably in the best shape I have ever been in for running prior to the pandemic. When all the craziness started, my wife and I started increasing our miles and ran a virtual half-marathon for five straight weeks. Because the gyms closed down, I was no longer lifting or doing any training on the elliptical, and basically started suffering foot pain from overuse. The first week of May I suffered two stress fractures in my left foot--so much for being in great shape! Six weeks and one boot later, I started riding a bike to get some fitness back. I cannot run for another two weeks, so I have really started putting in the miles on the bike (which I hate). Tomorrow, I will attempt my first 20 mile bike ride, only because I cannot run right now. I am ready to start running again!!!

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I have made the most of my time while working from home during this quarantine to run on my lunch breaks. I’ve been picking up virtual races here and there, and just completed the virtual run, 1 million miles for justice. All proceeds went toward the fight against injustices. Although i do miss getting out there to run with fellow runners and participate in the ambience of a big race, I am glad that there are organizations out there doing these virtual runs while still making a difference.

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Don't let all the negativity of the media and what is going on in the world right now get you down! Resist the urge to judge others based on their opinions, even if you think you are right. Show grace and love to each other and you might just find your self smiling more and scowling less. Oh yeah, and turn off the news and go for a run!

I decided to sign up for a small trail race near Springfield MO. I've never done a 1/2 on trails so it is exciting. I'm hoping that a smaller race will have less chance of being cancelled. Otherwise, Ill have to do the Social Distancing Run through Marathon Training academy again. This time however, I might actually buy their medal.

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