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Weekend Vibes, Edition No. 305: On Sprinting Vs. Training.

By: Jen Shoop

My Latest Snag: Doen Sale Goodies.

Doen is running a snow day sale that runs through tomorrow! I picked up this fun top to pair with jeans and this dress for mini. There were so many items that turned my head, though. I also love this metallic-thread pullover, this gorgeous dress (under $150), this dress for a little one, and this fall floral (perfect for a family portrait).

This Week’s Most Popular: Winter Finds.

1. HIGH-WAISTED CLASSIC MEDIUM WASH STRAIGHT LEG JEANS…HIGH QUALITY DENIM IS A TIMELESS MUST-HAVE IN ANY WARDROBE

2. SLOUCHY HIGH-NECK ASYMMETRICAL WRAP-STYLE BELTED BLACK PUFFER JACKET

3. ULTRA-COMFORTABLE TWO PIECE LOUNGEWEAR SET WITH ELASTIC WAIST RELAXED FIT BOTTOMS AND A LONG SLEEVE CREWNECK TOP IN HEATHERED OATMEAL

4. VIBRANT FUCHSIA MOCK NECK RIB-KNIT SWEATER WITH UNIQUE CABLE KNIT DETAILING — A GREAT PLAYFUL AND BOLD STATEMENT PIECE TO TRANSFORM ANY OUTFIT

5. SMALL GOLD NECKLACE COIN MEDALLION WITH A POWERFUL RISING SUN MOTIF

6. MOCK NECK WHITE KNIT SWEATER WITH ADORABLE LITTLE RED HEART STRIPE DETAIL ALL OVER

7. GORGEOUS BLACK VELVET PUFF SLEEVE MINI DRESS WITH CONTRASTING LACE AND BOW ADORNED BIB FOR A CHIC AND STYLISH LOOK WITH A CLASSIC PARISIAN VIBE

8. KNIT TURTLENECK SWEATER FOR LITTLE ONES WITH RIBBED HEMS IN A WARM BEIGE TONE

9. BLACK LIGHTWEIGHT ZIP-UP CROPPED PUFFER VEST

10. LIGHTWEIGHT FLEECE LONG SLEEVE PULLOVER SWEATSHIRT WITH BUTTON PLACKET IN A CHIC DUSTY ROSE…SUCH AN EASY PIECE TO THROW ON FOR RUNNING ERRANDS

11. ULTRA-HYDRATING MOISTURIZING BODY CREAM SCENTED WITH PANSIES AND CHAMOMILE FOR DRY SKIN

12. HIGH WAISTED TROUSERS IN A CROPPED, WIDE LEG CUT WITH CRISP PRESSED SEAMS — I LOVE THIS EFFORTLESS AND VERSATILE CLOSET STAPLE

13. HANDWOVEN 100% JUTE NATURAL TONED AREA RUG WITH A SCALLOPED EDGE AND CONTRASTING BLEACHED BORDER

14. CREAMY IVORY COZY BUTTON-UP SHERPA JACKET WITH CONTRASTING RED TRIM AND LARGE PATCH POCKETS

15. SEMI-OPAQUE LIGHT PINK OVERSIZED CAT EYE SUNGLASSES WITH COPPER-TONED LENSES

16. CLARIFYING SHAMPOO THAT LEAVES MY HAIR OH-SO SHINY AND SOFT FROM OLAPLEX

Weekend Musings: On Training.

I have never run a race in my life, but I signed up to run in a Veterans 10K with my Dad (himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, and a lifelong runner) and three sisters. I’m excited about running it with my family, but intimidated. I’ve never run 10K in one go. (I maxed out somewhere between 5-6 miles per run when in peak form in my late 20s/early 30s.) Beyond that, I’ve never been drawn to the hullabaloo around races — I hate crowds and find myself motivated just fine on my own, without the structure of a competition. And so I peppered a girlfriend of mine who has run multiple half-marathons with questions about training for a race earlier this week. I asked how she motivates herself to go on the longer runs, which daunt me — I am routinely bored and anxious to curtail my run by around mile 3. (I currently run 3.5-4 miles per session.) She commented that new, peppy playlists help, and that she also likes to call her mother or sister while on the distance runs. I was startled by this — how could she talk while running? She replied that, while training, you don’t want to be running so hard you’re out of breath. You’re building endurance; you should be able to hold a conversation while training. This throwaway comment blew my mind. I realized that I don’t know how to train. I am always running full-out, unless I am unable to. I’m not sprinting, exactly, but I am always running at the outer limit of my comfort zone, just faster than I’d like to but not so fast that when I stop, I’m gasping for air. The thought that I might run, deliberately, at a slower (easier) pace has literally never entered my mind. This is in part because running is, for me, more of a tonic than a treat: something healthful I must do to feel good, but that I don’t particularly savor while undertaking. In fact, I was listening to Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” album on my run this morning, and the lyric from “Labyrinth” in which she says: “It only hurts this much right now” / Was what I was thinkin’ / the whole time / Breathe in, breathe through, / breathe deep, breathe out” had particular resonance. I am basically always “thinking / the whole time” how much running hurts — but also aware that it only “hurts right now.” I live for the post-run lift. Running is worth the transitory discomfort because I feel so much better afterward. The world is brighter, my mind is clearer, my body feels loose and my muscles pleasantly firm. And so I tend to run as fast as I can to just get through it. Why would I linger in the discomfort? Why would I protract the process?

I can tell that training for this 10K is going to require a new mentality.

This insight made me wonder whether I am “always sprinting” in other parts of my life that I don’t necessarily need to? Are there other places that I have similarly never thought about “slowing down”? I certainly feel this way about my writing practice. I am rigorous to the point of fanatical about getting my writing in every day. Do I need to be, I wonder?

What about you? Are there areas of your life where you are always “going all out” without needing to?

Shopping Break.

+Very into the crop flare silhouette these days.

+Meant to include this $11 heart nightgown for little girls in my Valentine’s Day roundup. Too precious! Mini had this when she was a little younger — she loves nightgowns.

+The kind of dress I live in all summer long.

+Speaking of Mille, this fabulous everyday winter dress is on sale for around $100.

+You all loved the Massimo Dutti sweater I shared a week or two ago — but I also found this similar Zara style for $50.

+A great staple on sale for $25. And don’t miss this pleated skirt, an extra 60% off the sale price.

+I’d been eyeing this Derek Lam dress for so long and just snagged it on super sale here.

+This fleece vest is in my cart for my son.

+Still obsessed with this cleansing oil — want to try the rose scent next.

+Weezie just launched the most beautiful terry robe in spectacular color combos. On my wishlist!

+Mini has been obsessed with scrunchies lately — found this cute set for $10.

+Into this ballet pink top.

+This cropped hoodie is $35 and looks a lot like a much more expensive one from Alo.

+Just discovered this reasonably-priced brand of children’s cleansers/shampoos/etc in fun scents. Their bath bombs would be such a fun surprise for your little ones — my kids LOVE these kinds of things.

+A $15 kitchen rug in good colors – love the blue.

+Still wondering if I can find an occasion to which to wear this beauty.

+Chicest cardigan.

+Cute jeans for a little love.

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14 thoughts on “Weekend Vibes, Edition No. 305: On Sprinting Vs. Training.

  1. Hi! Late to the game here but some thoughts…

    1. 10k is only *just* over 6 miles, you’re closer than you think.
    2. The Nike run club app has great, flexible training plans…I’ve used it in the past to train for 11.5k runs and I used it last year to train for my first half marathon.
    3. I agree with another commenter about intervals.
    4. Welcome to the fun racing world, it’s the best, you’re going to love it.
    5. Afterwards you’ll probably say ‘not again’…give it a week and you’ll almost certainly be seeking out your next race.

    Enjoy!

  2. Wow! These Magpie comments really know their stuff. I’m not sure I could add anything.
    When I run, I like to process my actions/reactions in my daily life. Its a time for me to reflect. Sometimes it makes me run harder because I’m mad I did that, but it also releases the tension I’m holding so that’s a good thing. Other times I just ” listen to what my body wants to do” and go with the flow. I’m out moving for myself and that’s always a win!
    Enjoy this time. (alone or with others)

    1. I love the organic way you approach running — you let it flow sometimes and other times, you’re pounding the pavement. A thing of mood. Love that!

      xx

  3. I feel as though I could have written your analysis of your running habits – I’ve been almost identical in terms of pace, approach to running, feeling DONE by about the three mile mark, etc. for the past few years. I often get caught up in being overly competitive with myself (even on days when I pretend I’m going for a light run, I suddenly find myself glancing down at Strava and subconsciously challenging my mile pace) and/or treating it as high intensity catharsis (which is soothing, to a degree, but not always sustainable). A couple of things that have helped me reframe things recently and run longer & more joyfully…

    First, running WITH someone. I’ll drag my husband along (pre-baby, when that wasn’t part of the equation – now someone has to stay with her!) because his pace is slower than mine… in a good way. It forced me to calm down and enjoy the run more. Lately, I’ve been joining up with a friend training for a marathon – I’ll tag along on his 4-9 mile runs and find that the time passes so quickly as we chat together. Admittedly, I spent years wishing I could find a great running partner, but the logistics and availability bewildered me. All of this to say, if there’s an organic person in your life that you can jog along with, lean into the newness of that!

    Second, finding a mantra or new mindset, as cheesy as it can feel. Sometimes I channel the “I GET to run” feeling or think back to times when I couldn’t run (injury, immediate postpartum, etc.) and how much I craved it. Lately, I’ve been trying to notice people/things around me more – nodding to other runners, smiling at people while I wait for a crosswalk signal, ebullience at catching the sunset, etc. Turning outwards during runs, I guess, instead of inwards/beating myself up/in competition with myself… if that makes sense?

    Third, and I think I saw this mentioned in another comment, but PLAYLISTS. Yes yes yes. I tend to cycle through the same master workout rap-based monolith I’ve created over the years, but finding new ones (a recent favorite was high school angsty pop punk 2000s songs) via fitness instructors, friends, Spotify searches, popular gyms’ public ones (I used to use 305 fitness ones all the time) etc. can make the same route/routine feel newI(ish).

    Last (I promise, though clearly I feel excitedly passionate about this – half cringe?), strength training has remodeled my ability to run smoother and longer, and honestly, just to feel strong during runs. I’ve been intentional in recent years about mixing up running and strength training so that they compliment each other. I currently go to a class/gym nearby + do my own thing at my office gym, but also found the Nourish Move Love account during prenatal days and still do her free workouts constantly (in case you need a rec!) – I really like that they’re functional movements, incorporate substantive weights, and are pretty intense but quick. I think she has some specific runner-friendly workouts, too.

    I love the idea of calling someone during a run though! I’ve done this inadvertently with my mom and grandma recently when they’ve happened to call me during a spin around the neighborhood, and end up talking for 10 mins or so, but I like the intentionality of committing to a more moderate pace via phone conversation.

    Relatedly, I love your phrasing, in other posts about running, as “clipping in” – I was actually doing treadmill sprints this evening (another fun way to mix things up… or maybe just my version of fun, ha!) and kept mentally framing new tough paces and intervals as “clipping in” and then cruising for a minute or two.

    Good luck!!

    1. Hi Erica! I absolutely loved (!) this in-the-weeds set of notes on running. I read it over the weekend and so appreciated the camraderie. Like, you’ve really been in my exact shoes! Wow. I’d never thought to run with someone else. I’m horribly competitive in this particular lane (running) — but maybe approaching running with a peer while having more of the “go slow and steady / no sprinting / time to build endurance” will do the trick. Also love the reframe: “I get to run!”

      xx

  4. What a neat idea to run with your family and most of all to honor veterans. They sure do deserve all of our honor and respect. Your topic today got me thinking. I think as women we are so wired to finish and check off that task and move on to the next. We probably don’t linger nearly as often as we should. I know I am all about completing the to do list. I even tell myself during tasks “get it done.” I do like to reward myself for finishing a hard task though.

    1. Hi Brenda! Agree with you — love the opportunity to honor veterans in this small way!

      And I also completely agree that I am “wired” to “check off the tasks and move to the next.” Running has often felt this way. Something that must be done to get to the next step of my day. I think my resolution to “not eat lunch at my desk” has represented a small erosion of or resistance to that mentality, and I see it living out in other venues, too. Like, not everything needs to be quick and optimized and efficient. Sometimes it’s good to sit and enjoy your coffee, or your lunch, or just let yourself breathe. Thanks for the reminder.

      xx

  5. Oh, man! That house stopped me in my tracks! I’ve decided it’s my dream to one day have a center hall colonial. Bonus if it has a butler’s pantry and back staircase.

    I’m so excited for your 10k!! I haven’t been able to run in 12 years, but have raced many a 5 and 10k from high school through age 30. My tips are: remember that you don’t have to run the full race length in training. As long as you work up to 5ish miles, you’ll be fine on the day. Also, intervals – mixing it up with short quick bursts maybe once a week will really help! I’ve used a track but you could just “sprint to the next driveway” or whatever’s handy on your route. And lastly, cross training! I found strength training really helped with my speed and endurance. Plus, when I trained for my one and only half marathon, all I did was run, and wound up with an overtraining injury to my IT band which required physical therapy. You’re going to do great! Yes, the race crowds are not fun, but the sense of camaraderie (and the feeling of crossing the finish line) will be worth it.

    1. Isn’t that house BEYOND?! What a dream. I love a stone house.

      Thank you so much for the encouragement and tips!!

      xx

  6. Jen,
    Would love to know what size you took in the heart sweater (#6) ? XS or S? How do you find it fits?
    Thanks so much. Great post as always!

    1. Hi Jenny! Sorry for the delay in responding! I took an XS. It is cut roomy / oversized but I think that’s the style. I would take your true size.

      xx

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