Post-Marathon Glow and Pre-Race Anxiety
I've never been happier to see a Friday. I think I survived the first half of the week on my post-New York City Marathon buzz. The second half of the week? Lots of caffeine, micro-naps, and La Croix. But let's get to it, shall we?
Marathon Sunday is hands-down my favorite day in New York City. We live right on the marathon route in Brooklyn and every year, the neighborhood turns out to cheer on the runners. It's like a huge block party. (And yes, I force my kids to come and cheer with me.) But it's the grit, passion, and stories of the runners that gives me all the feels. And Shalane Flanagan's historic win and Meb's 26.2 mile retirement parade this year were just icing on the cake.
I'm going to miss cheering for Meb.
I'm hoping to take some of that excitement with me as I head into race weekend. I'm running the Seacoast Half Marathon on Sunday in Portsmouth, NH. I really don't know what to expect on race day, especially since there's a cold front moving in Friday/Saturday, bringing winter-like temps into the area. They are actually using the words, "Arctic blast" to describe the weather. GREAT. I mean, I prefer cool running weather to hot running weather, but come on!
I told my kids that my goal for the race was to smile and have fun. That's still my goal. I've been working hard on my mental game, working to control the narrative rather than allow my fear and anxiety control the script. I don't want to write the ending of my race before I even get to the start line. I'm also reading and re-reading this great post from Meg at Oiselle, Do Not Open Until Race Day.
What I've Written
Just a couple of new stories out in the world since last time. Like this one on the things we do that mess up our metabolism, and this one on why moderation is considered a virtue. If you're a cauliflower fiend like me, you'll want to check out this story on all the things you can do with cauliflower besides roasting it and making cauliflower rice.
But you guys! I have a lot of really fun stories in the works that I can't wait to share with you.
What I'm Reading
Here's a snippet of some of the great stories I've read recently.
Harvey Weinstein's Army of Spies (The New Yorker) << This is bananas.
Beyond Asian Eyes, a World of Possibility (San Francisco Chronicle) << On the challenges of applying eye shadow on creaseless Asian eyes, seeing more Asian faces in the media, and so much more.
On the Table, the Brain Appeared Normal (New York Times) << "He had beautiful pathology, if you can call it beautiful."
Relax, You Don't Need to Eat Clean (New York Times) << SERIOUSLY
Language Acquisition (Longform) << Gorgeous writing.
Having a Debilitating Illness Taught Me To Be Grateful For My Body (Shape) << I love Ali's honestly in sharing what it's really like to have Crohn's Disease.
The Most Annoying Thing a Editor Can Do (Columbia Journalism Review) << This one's for my fellow freelancers.
I'm about half way through The Woman Who Smashed Codes, a nonfiction book about Elizebeth Smith, one of the country's greatest code breakers, and it's fascinating. I love reading stories of unknown and unsung women who've done incredible things. Along those lines, I've been reading Fire on the Track about Betty Robinson, who won the first gold medal in a women's track and field event.
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