Why We Sign Up for Hard Races + 5-Hour Marathon Tips, Running Fast at 76, RUNHER
Our exploratory mindset, A Tribe Called Run’s founder shares experiences at The Speed Project, a new print magazine for women runners, and more.
Why do we sign up for hard races?
Why do we enjoy running on vacation?
There are plenty of tough workouts and sore muscles in the months leading up to race day and more relaxing ways to spend our time off.
Is it just because we love the act of running?
Or are we fulfilling a deeper curiosity or interest?
I was listening to Tina Muir’s “Running for Real” podcast episode with Author Alex Hutchinson, and they discussed why having an expansive and exploratory mindset leads us to want to discover ourselves and the world around us.
Hands down, my favorite way to explore a new city is by going for a run. I get to experience a place from a unique perspective, cover more ground, and see things I otherwise wouldn’t.
And when I sign up for a new race distance — like my first full marathon this fall — it’s not because I’m looking forward to the 18- and 20-mile long runs (I’m definitely not). It’s because I want to discover what I’m capable of through the process.
While an expansive and exploratory mindset isn’t exclusive to runners, I think it comes more naturally. It might even be WHY many of us run — and a reason behind the increasing number of marathon and ultramarathon runners.
We choose to do these hard things because they expose us to new experiences and help us learn more about ourselves.
This week’s Q&A bonus (in the section below) is a perfect example. Will Walker, founder of the Baltimore-based run club A Tribe Called Run, shares his team’s first experience competing in The Speed Project last year and overcoming the mental and physical challenges of running through the desert from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
Also in this newsletter is a story about a woman running fast race times in her 70s, and another runner who’s launching a women’s running magazine called RUNHER.
What does a new magazine launch have to do with all this?
An exploratory mindset has a direct influence on our lives outside of running. And I think that knowing we can do hard things in running, such as train for a marathon or run with a team across the desert, gives us the confidence to take bigger chances in our lives more generally — to dream big.
- Kimberly, founder & editor
The Speed Project: An Exploration of Strength Across the Desert
The Speed Project 2025 just wrapped up last week. A Tribe Called Run returned to the event for the second year as a team and the first year with a solo runner. Will Walker, founder of the Baltimore run club, shares the adversity his team overcame to be at the start line and the mental and physical resolve it took to finish the race.
“The Speed Project was birthed out of our Wednesday morning speed work group …. Wednesday in itself became not only a group of people who worked out together, but a friend group. You know, you build camaraderie with people when you wake up at 6 a.m. and put in miles and put in strong efforts.
When they suggested [The Speed Project] and the people they thought would be good teammates. It was just like, you know, what? It’s not necessarily about speed or trying to be first or win this race.
It was honestly just like, we’ve connected on a whole different level. We think that it would be a great opportunity to participate in something like this, because it is epic — going 340 miles from LA to Las Vegas.
I didn’t think that we were going to get accepted, especially with us kind of being new in that arena …. It took a while. We didn’t really hear anything until February. So by the time we heard something in February, it was like, ‘Oh, we’re doing this, huh?’
We had a little under two months to train, but we went full steam ahead training.
It was a great experience. I highly suggest it if anybody has the opportunity to do it because 340 miles in roughly under three to four days changes you.
A great team was put together. We found ourselves having difficult moments, flat tires, people getting turned around on the course …. I mean, everything that you could experience. The adversity that you experience going through this, it builds you and connects you in a whole different way.
Snow, rain, hot weather — I mean, all of the temps that you can think of. Pulling muscles …. Not wanting to eat, but you know you have to eat. But also trying to get back up and rise to the occasion because you know that you have a team that’s relying on you to get your miles in. And being fluid and adaptable, because whatever you have planned, something is going to go wrong.
Once we came up upon the marquee in Vegas, it was so emotional.
We had to overcome so much adversity, even within the community here in Baltimore …. Just hearing negative things, like ‘Oh, that team’s not fast.’
But for us, it was more than just being fast. It was the community that we’ve built, even in that small subset, going out there representing. To persevere, we’re stronger because of it.” – Will Walker, founder of A Tribe Called Run
Read Will’s Q&A on Running Lifestyle on how A Tribe Called Run got its start during the pandemic and his approach to run club leadership, including:
➡️ Showing up in service of your members
➡️ Cultivating an inclusive community
➡️ Working with brand and community partners
➡️ Registering your run club as a business
New on Running Lifestyle
Next time you find yourself in the Chicago area, make time to visit the western suburb of Naperville. Running routes include well-maintained trails within forest preserves and a paved riverwalk through downtown. Fuel up afterward at a downtown coffee shop steps from the riverwalk or head to Go Brewing for a non-alcoholic beer. Check out the Naperville City Guide, developed in collaboration with Naperville Running Company.
Partners & Promotions
Affiliate partner of Running Lifestyle, Skratch Labs is offering 20% off your online order with the discount code: RUNNINGLIFESTYLE20
The Colorado Marathon on May 4 is one of the state’s most scenic races and takes place on a fast, downhill course. Spend the weekend in Fort Collins, and race the marathon, half marathon, 10K, or 5K. (Use coupon code RL10 for $10 off when registering online.)
The Lake Norman Half Marathon Series (in North Carolina, just north of Charlotte) is offering 10% off the registration price for any of its four races. Use coupon code kv through December 31, 2025.
What I’m Listening to, Reading, and Watching
Inspiration for this week’s newsletter intro largely came from Tina Muir’s “Running for Real” podcast episode with Author Alex Hutchinson on dreaming big and taking chances. In addition to discussing why it’s healthy to have an expansive and exploratory mindset, they chat about the importance of disconnecting from tech to be more present in life’s moments and why the quest toward a goal is more important than the goal itself. The entire episode is worth listening to, but they really get into how these topics tie back to running in the final 20 minutes.
Coaches Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris dedicated an episode of their “Tread Lightly” podcast to chat about how to run a 5- to 6-hour marathon, including advice on how long your long runs should be and pacing and fueling strategies. Plus, they kick off the episode with tips on how to do strides.
A high VO2 max is keeping 76-year-old Jeannie Rice running fast. She recently set the age group world record in the marathon, running 3:33:27. (Yahoo)
Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, co-founder of Black Trail Runners, is creating a sense of belonging in the outdoors for Black runners and increasing representation in trail running. (Advnture)
Are you interested in a quarterly print magazine on women’s running? Journalist Ashley Mateo launched a Kickstarter campaign for RUNHER. The magazine is set to debut this fall.
Garmin announced the Garmin Marathon Series with two locations in 2025: Toledo, Ohio (September 21), and Tucson, Arizona (November 15). (Garmin)
Complete the 2025 Running USA’s Global Runner Survey to be entered to win a Premium Treadmill and a free race registration to one of four races!
Over on Instagram…
UltraSignup won April Fool’s Day:
You can be both a road runner and a trail runner:
A strong reason to run:
Happy running!