CHICAGO
The Monday before Chicago Marathon
Welcome back friends to Life on Mars, the space where I share .. well everything . When I say everything, I mean everything about my life experiences , my thoughts in general , the latest in wellness and wellness trends, music and my life as a Peloton Instructor
I can’t believe it’s the Monday before I run the Chicago Marathon . 4 more sleeps and I will be there. 6 more sleeps and I will be toeing the line . I’ve been to Chicago quite a few times. It’s the first place I actually remember traveling to besides St Louis. I also remember as a kid lying and telling people I was from Chicago. I am indeed not. However, I thought it sounded cool at the time. So, that little trifling fact didn’t stop me .
My family does have strong ties to the windy city. My dad was raised in Illinois just outside of Chicago until he was about 17. Was he born there ? I am not sure. Have I asked him? I don’t recall. Trying to get any information out of that man is like trying to siphon out the last bit of tooth paste. So, I don’t bother . My mom on the other hand spent a few years in Chicago as a child with my grandma and her stepdad, a Chicago native . As a matter of fact I still have cousins, and a few aunts who live in and around the city till this day. With all of that being said, I am super excited to wander the streets of the Chi. Maybe I’ll run along a street my dad skated down back in the day or pass through a neighborhood he hung out in when he was a teenager. There is something surreal about the possibility of crossing paths with their history that just gives me goosebumps in the best way .
This will be my second marathon and training this time around has been difficult in a way that really makes me extremely grateful. The miles have been hard fought and slow but I am running. You know !? I say that with enthusiasm , excitement, a bit of skepticism and a dose of curiosity. Lately, I’ve been in a mental funk. The funk itself certainly feels like much to do about nothing but when I think about how challenging these miles have been. It puts things into perspective in a way that I am just extremely grateful for . Having something to train for . Something that has forced me to get up and put my shoes on. Something that reminds me that I can do hard things and that those things take consistency, effort and time; while also validating that I’m capable . I had my best run of this entire training cycle a couple days ago and it made me feel alive . I started pushing my pace even harder just racing with myself down the street, music off , smiling and breathing hard as hell . The funny thing is it came right after my hardest and most grueling run of this training cycle. My final long run left me limping , feeling depleted and hobbling to go get a bowl of pasta. I knew going into it , it would be hard. I mentally prepared myself for it saying “ this is gonna suck but this is exactly what your body needs. Your body needs to know that you’re not going to quit and that it needs to heal because you’ve got training to do”. Hilarious, right ? I was dead serious and that’s why I am grateful.
That long run pep talk was just what I needed to hear . Not only for those 18 miles but for the mental funk I was in as well. In last week’s newsletter I shared with you one of Bart Yasso’s favorite quotes “ Never limit where running can take you”. Even though I sat down with Bart nearly 3 weeks ago that quote has stuck with me. I find myself musing over just how much truth resides in that statement . That 18 mile run on a Monday afternoon got me out of my own way . It brought me clarity, perspective and a huge helping of gratitude. It brought me to that fierce fiery run where I felt like a stronger, better version of myself . Even if it was for just an hour . I felt untouchable . I felt unstoppable . I felt like I could accomplish anything. I believe we all need that.
That’s the beauty of pushing ourselves physically. For me it’s this marathon. This marathon that I know is gonna break me off but I also know that I am going to better and stronger for it . What is that challenge for you ? Where are you off to next ?
📌What’s Happening in the Studio
I’m off air this week, friends in preparation for the marathon .
Monday 7:30 PM 15 MIN 2000s run ENCORE
Wednesday 5:30PM 20 MIN Walk ENCORE
The tread studio is officially open again and there are far too many new classes for me to list every one here but this week
📌Newsletter Trivia
Time for your weekly newsletter trivia game where I hide clues throughout the newsletter and you have to provide me with the answer based on the clues you find IN THE NEWSLETTER. Think Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune .
Rules
Be the first to respond in the comments below ( thank you for answering via other channels . This is appreciated as participation but not as entry to win )
Using*** The cues provided in the newsletter list all clues you find . As the total number of cues go toward your points .
Based on these rules the winner of last week’s quiz Dr. Mel came through with the answer
This track Rhythm is Gonna Get You was a hit from Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine . It picked at # 5 on the billboard top 100 and was from their Let It Loose studio album.
statement and provide the name and date of the project. Using the clues above
📌 Keep in Touch
Instagram @offialmarcelfit
Listen to Podcast : Take The Hill Podcast
Take a class with me: 30 day free trial here
Let’s Work Together :
https://marceldinkins.komi.io
YouTube : @officialmarcelfit
Thanks for reading Life on Mars