This week is kind of a change-up. If you followed the newsletter in the earlier years 2019-2021, I would do a lot more newsletters about what's on my mind and thoughts and opinions. I want to bring that back. I have a few thoughts from things I've seen around the internet lately.
First, thank you to everyone who reached out, and I am feeling better. Not 100%, but better. I ran the OC Half Marathon in 1:35.12. I thought on a super good day, I could run under 1:35 after being sick and still somewhat congested, so I'm happy with this. I'm running the (very hilly) La Jolla half marathon in a couple of weeks, then a break from halves for a while. I am still somewhat congested and coughing a lot (they said after a throat virus, you can cough up to 6-8 weeks) but otherwise feel decent.
Anyway, now what's on my mind.
First, banditing. Banditing races, or jumping into races that you haven't paid for, is just wrong. Yes, you can run the roads when you feel like it, but just don't do the exact same race and not pay for it. If you get hurt or injured, typically the course is liable for you. I'm sure most people heard/saw the woman bragged about banditing a race in New York City (which...another thought for another day but did she actually even run? Who really knows). She was dragged through the mud about it, and some of the commenters were disturbing.
I already said banditing is wrong. But I do think the outlash bandits get is wild. Do I think they should have consequences and be barred from running certain races? Yes. But, I don't think they should be receiving death threats or the stalker level crazy that some people have on the internet.
Second, why hasn't the women's marathon world record from Sept 2023 at Berlin been ratified yet? Is it drugs? Something else? They are usually ratified much quicker than this, and we are coming up on a year. Something is not right. I don't know the entire process, but I do find it strange it has been so long with no official statement.
Finally, number three: Bragging about working insane hours. Lately, I've seen several people bragging about working 60, 70...even 80-hour weeks. Please take some PTO. Your job does not care about you that much. I think sometimes these long hours or feeling like you can't get away are common as a small business owner, entrepreneur, or even in the social media world. When I was *all in* on my own social media and even ran a few other social media accounts for businesses, I never felt like I could get away or had downtime. So if that's you, I encourage you to just schedule some time in your day not to be working.
So I encourage you to take some PTO or dial it back. Exhaustion is still exhaustion. If you have any thoughts about any above, share them!
What is Keeping Me Entertained?
Atreyu Daily Trainer 1.2 Shoe Review
SOAR Running Apparel Review: SOAR Running Gear is some of the nicest running clothing I've ever seen. If you are looking for the lightest materials, it's. great option.
Emma Coburn out for the season
A good friend ended up in Australia for graduate school and was humble bragging about how many hours they were putting into their school work. The response was brilliant and gave them much to think about... what kind of wanker are you that you can't get your work done during regular hours?
There's no end to the work you could be doing. The only end is the amount of work you're willing to do. The more you do, the more you get, the longer the list of things to do. Without end.