half marathon monday: october 2026.

st jude memphis marathon weekend is just under 7 weeks away and i am so excited. so many of my favorite people will be in one place, we will be raising money and running for a great cause, and for the first time since 2013 i am [mostly] sticking to a training plan and feeling physically and mentally on my way to completing my half.

nothing like getting to run through central park on a gorgeous day. new york, new york. september 2026.

since my last post my long runs increased to 5, then 6, then 7.5, and finally to 9 miles this past weekend. for me the 7.5 is always a big mental hurdle, and once that was behind me i was excited for the 9. the 5, 6, and 7.5 i did in central park since i was dog sitting nearby for each of those, and for the 9 i made up a route that took me across the brooklyn bridge, along the water, over to prospect park, back up flatbush ave, across the manhattan bridge, and through a bit of chinatown. it was 50 degrees and cloudy and windy and i honestly had a great time.

got to run past my favorite toronto mural. toronto, ontario. october 2026.

for my last two long runs abi has met me for part of it which has been really nice. she is a faster runner so we’re not running together, but it is nice knowing she’s nearby and i am hopeful our schedules will allow for more overlap this next month.

loving our weekly cousin run dates. brooklyn, new york. october 2026.

probably the biggest difference has been the hydration vest and being able to carry water and electrolytes and gels with me for the long runs. gu has so many new flavors since the last time i used them, and they have helped with my energy levels. the other thing that has helped is we are properly into fall temperatures which always picks up my pace.

early mornings on the brooklyn bridge. new york, new york. october 2026.

some weeks i’m better about doing my shorter runs and my strength training and others i let a day slide here or there, but no matter what i’m making sure i get in 2 runs and 1-2 strength workouts each week and i can see and feel the difference [a pair of jeans that were too tight last winter fit again!]. the goal of this training is to be able to finish the half and still be able to partake in the other weekend festivities, but the overall health and fitness changes are also very welcome.

views from the manhattan bridge. new york, new york. october 2026.

something i’ve been thinking about is putting together a post with all of my favorite running things, from gear to accessories to gels and whatever else i can think of. it’s on the back burner for now while i get through a few other things, but i’m hoping to maybe share that by the end of the year.

and with that, i’ll see you in november for our next update!