A thought occurred to me the other day: I’ve been writing this newsletter for seven years now, and we’ve been having our regular Friday chats for the past few years here in this space, and never once have I given you all the chance to ask me anything.
So — especially given that it’s the middle of the summer and there’s not a whole lot going on — I thought I’d throw this out there: is there anything you’d like to ask me?
About running, training, races, books I read for the newsletter, writing a newsletter, Substack, etc. — feel free to ask anything at all 😃 — Terrell
Today I walked and ran 7 miles.!!! Longest ever. In 88 degree’s and 90% incline . It took me 2hrs but the fact is I completed what I set out to do. I did get a bit lost for about 1/2 mile lol
My goal is to cross that finish line at Bird in hand 1/2 Sept and under 4 hrs 🙏🙏
I am a walker, not a runner. The half marathons I've accomplished were in my hometown & all big races with around 40,000 participants. Are there races that discourage walkers? I'm looking to do some in other cities.
THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL!!! All your expert advice and it worked !!! I can’t believe it !!! I did what you all said as a con census . Disregard time . Focus on form , breathing and mind over matter . I RAN STRAIGHT FOR 2 FULL MILES!!! I actually felt like I was running faster . (Very slow 28.5 minutes ). 😩 However , after the struggle of that first .9 miles , my breathing improved for sure !!!! Thank you 🙏
Hi Meli ! That’s great information .! I will certainly be using all this advice . Makes total sense more we open up lung expansion more capacity for oxygen consumption . I have tried many breathing techniques also. Thank you 🙏
I met a runner Betty at Bird in hand last Sept . I did 5k she did both 5k then next day 1/2 . She was over 62 years old . She really inspired me and encouraged me to do the 1/2 this year . This community is so non judgmental and encouraging it was such a blessing . Then I came across Mr Terrell blogs somehow . GOD send. I don’t use social media or even have a TV lol . Thanks everyone this is so encouraging
Thank you Mary ! I think when I cross that finish line at the 1/2 I will say I’m a runner lol . I do love it just being able to be outside is what I love also . Just sneakers good weather and go lol
Dave 58?? You all are amazing !! GOD bless you all !! Yes I can’t wait to post that I crossed the finish line at the 1/2 . Didn’t get lost lol and under 4hrs . 3 would be a blessing . Yes I know my limitations !! Thank you 🙏
Actually I use the in through the nose and out through the mouth as much as possible during long runs. This is as much to try any control the speed of my breathing to stave off being winded. I also use breathe right strips to keep my nasal passages open.
This is a question for all runners... While running, do you breathe through your mouth or nose? I've got bad allergies and even though I try, I end up breathing through my mouth... Also, nose sprays don't help...
I have never thought to breath through my nose on purpose. I have been running for almost 50 years, 9 marathons, and one 50 miler. Do what comes natural.
I started running a year and a half ago during Covid, mostly treadmill, but I have been running more outside since spring this year. I ran the Pisgah Farms & Furlongs Half-Mare-athon (through three horse farms) in Versailles, Ky in June and didn’t embarrass myself. I keep reading that runners should breathe through their noses and not their mouths during long runs. I have tried this for months, but it has not gotten easier, and I end up breathing through my mouth. After a short period, I begin feeling like I am drowning and have to take breath through my mouth. Is there a key to making the transformation to a nose-breather? Or is it that important? Thank you.
Do you think that anyone will eventually beat the 2 hour marathon barrier besides Kipchoge, and also why do you think Kipchoge is still running so well even when he is so old? Also do you think Jacob ingebrigtsen will eventually break the world record for the mile/1500?
Being new to running . I find it difficult to run the full 3.1 miles. I can walk briskly forever . However , that first full mile , I find difficulty getting my breathing under control . I have to take many walks in between . I have completed 2 5k. Been jogging / running for almost a year . I love the feeling of accomplishment after any type of run/ jog. I lift weights and play ice hockey . My goal is to do a half at Bird in hand Lancaster . Even if I have to walk some . It’s my breathing I find difficult and frustrating . I tried the run 1 min walk 1 min . Any other suggestions ? I’m amazed at all the people on here that run all these miles with ease . Thank you 🙏
Do you think it's considered rude or antisocial to not allow comments for an entire Substack newsletter? Or just generally a bad idea even if most people wouldn't care? Allowing comments seems fairly universal for Substack, and I enjoy that as a reader. But as a writer thinking of finally starting my own newsletter, I'm worried that moderating and responding to comments might feel stressful or time consuming in the way that social media can, even with a relatively small number of subscribers. And yes, the meta and irony of asking this as a comment on Substack...
Goodmorning, thanks for posing this question. Have you ever begun to train for a consecutive full marathon, gotten into the training, and decided that perhaps you needed to wait until next season, or just had doubts/motivation issues? Or fatigue issues, too much going on in your personal life, etc.
November will be my third marathon, having run one October 2021 (and a half in Nov. 2021) and another in May 2022. I want to do a major race this fall, and was planning for Philly 26.2, but even as I went through over a month of recovery, I am still not certain that I feel up to going through the rigor of the full marathon distance again in November. I don't mind the training, in fact training in the fall I think is the best time of year, but I'm not sure about that race distance 3x in a 13 month period. And being a perfectionist, of course I'm beating myself up over my doubts and perceived lack of dedication.
Is there anything that you really care about (in an enthusiastic and sometimes deeply nerdy way) that you've never properly written about in this newsletter?
Friday Thread: Ask me anything
Today I walked and ran 7 miles.!!! Longest ever. In 88 degree’s and 90% incline . It took me 2hrs but the fact is I completed what I set out to do. I did get a bit lost for about 1/2 mile lol
My goal is to cross that finish line at Bird in hand 1/2 Sept and under 4 hrs 🙏🙏
Thats determination. Good for you.
Great idea. Here’s a question: what the top three races on your bucket list, if you have one?
And/or, which three races would you do again in a heartbeat (given the fitness and circumstances aligned)?
I am a walker, not a runner. The half marathons I've accomplished were in my hometown & all big races with around 40,000 participants. Are there races that discourage walkers? I'm looking to do some in other cities.
THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL!!! All your expert advice and it worked !!! I can’t believe it !!! I did what you all said as a con census . Disregard time . Focus on form , breathing and mind over matter . I RAN STRAIGHT FOR 2 FULL MILES!!! I actually felt like I was running faster . (Very slow 28.5 minutes ). 😩 However , after the struggle of that first .9 miles , my breathing improved for sure !!!! Thank you 🙏
Thank you Ruth . I always walk first before I run . I will stretch more thank you 🙏
Hi Meli ! That’s great information .! I will certainly be using all this advice . Makes total sense more we open up lung expansion more capacity for oxygen consumption . I have tried many breathing techniques also. Thank you 🙏
Silly question. . .are you an early morning runner? I am a "whenever I have time and when the spirit moves me." Just wondering. . . ?
I met a runner Betty at Bird in hand last Sept . I did 5k she did both 5k then next day 1/2 . She was over 62 years old . She really inspired me and encouraged me to do the 1/2 this year . This community is so non judgmental and encouraging it was such a blessing . Then I came across Mr Terrell blogs somehow . GOD send. I don’t use social media or even have a TV lol . Thanks everyone this is so encouraging
Thank you Mary ! I think when I cross that finish line at the 1/2 I will say I’m a runner lol . I do love it just being able to be outside is what I love also . Just sneakers good weather and go lol
Dave 58?? You all are amazing !! GOD bless you all !! Yes I can’t wait to post that I crossed the finish line at the 1/2 . Didn’t get lost lol and under 4hrs . 3 would be a blessing . Yes I know my limitations !! Thank you 🙏
Actually I use the in through the nose and out through the mouth as much as possible during long runs. This is as much to try any control the speed of my breathing to stave off being winded. I also use breathe right strips to keep my nasal passages open.
This is a question for all runners... While running, do you breathe through your mouth or nose? I've got bad allergies and even though I try, I end up breathing through my mouth... Also, nose sprays don't help...
Terrell, What was your first half-marathon? And your favorite one?
I have never thought to breath through my nose on purpose. I have been running for almost 50 years, 9 marathons, and one 50 miler. Do what comes natural.
I started running a year and a half ago during Covid, mostly treadmill, but I have been running more outside since spring this year. I ran the Pisgah Farms & Furlongs Half-Mare-athon (through three horse farms) in Versailles, Ky in June and didn’t embarrass myself. I keep reading that runners should breathe through their noses and not their mouths during long runs. I have tried this for months, but it has not gotten easier, and I end up breathing through my mouth. After a short period, I begin feeling like I am drowning and have to take breath through my mouth. Is there a key to making the transformation to a nose-breather? Or is it that important? Thank you.
Do you think that anyone will eventually beat the 2 hour marathon barrier besides Kipchoge, and also why do you think Kipchoge is still running so well even when he is so old? Also do you think Jacob ingebrigtsen will eventually break the world record for the mile/1500?
Being new to running . I find it difficult to run the full 3.1 miles. I can walk briskly forever . However , that first full mile , I find difficulty getting my breathing under control . I have to take many walks in between . I have completed 2 5k. Been jogging / running for almost a year . I love the feeling of accomplishment after any type of run/ jog. I lift weights and play ice hockey . My goal is to do a half at Bird in hand Lancaster . Even if I have to walk some . It’s my breathing I find difficult and frustrating . I tried the run 1 min walk 1 min . Any other suggestions ? I’m amazed at all the people on here that run all these miles with ease . Thank you 🙏
Do you think it's considered rude or antisocial to not allow comments for an entire Substack newsletter? Or just generally a bad idea even if most people wouldn't care? Allowing comments seems fairly universal for Substack, and I enjoy that as a reader. But as a writer thinking of finally starting my own newsletter, I'm worried that moderating and responding to comments might feel stressful or time consuming in the way that social media can, even with a relatively small number of subscribers. And yes, the meta and irony of asking this as a comment on Substack...
Goodmorning, thanks for posing this question. Have you ever begun to train for a consecutive full marathon, gotten into the training, and decided that perhaps you needed to wait until next season, or just had doubts/motivation issues? Or fatigue issues, too much going on in your personal life, etc.
November will be my third marathon, having run one October 2021 (and a half in Nov. 2021) and another in May 2022. I want to do a major race this fall, and was planning for Philly 26.2, but even as I went through over a month of recovery, I am still not certain that I feel up to going through the rigor of the full marathon distance again in November. I don't mind the training, in fact training in the fall I think is the best time of year, but I'm not sure about that race distance 3x in a 13 month period. And being a perfectionist, of course I'm beating myself up over my doubts and perceived lack of dedication.
Is there anything that you really care about (in an enthusiastic and sometimes deeply nerdy way) that you've never properly written about in this newsletter?