BakBlog

We’re a little heartbroken not to be running Heartbreak Hill on Monday, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the Boston Marathon. Whether you’re running your own solo race or just putting your feet up, we have some suggestions on how to get your Boston fix this weekend. 

The loneliness of the long distance runner can be very real, especially if you're used to running with a training partner or group. And while many of us appreciate the solitude of a solo run and the opportunity to be alone with our thoughts, we all need a little distraction sometimes—especially if staying inside. This post is a compilation of 26.2 hours of our favorite inspiring, uplifting, and insightful podcast episodes.

A quote from Rudyard Kipling came up in a recent (socially distant) Bakline team meeting: For the Strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack. And in these times of social distancing, it got us thinking.

In The Future is Female Coaches series, we’re celebrating the women of our sport who are leading, inspiring, and making us all stronger. We want to get the perspective of women working with youth sports and adult clubs, to highlight coaches training recreational and competitive runners, and hear stories from tracks, roads, and trails.This week we’ve interviewed Jana Trenk, a director on the board of Prospect Park Track Club, one of the oldest running clubs in New York City.

In The Future is Female Coaches series, we’re celebrating the women of our sport who are leading, inspiring, and making us all stronger. This week we’ve interviewed Dr. Emmi Aguillard, who brings a unique perspective on the sport drawn from her years as a runner, coach, and physical therapist. Emmi is a former D1 athlete who currently runs and coaches with the NYC Dashing Whippets and practices at Finish Line Physical Therapy.

In this series we interview female coaches about their experiences and insights working across a variety of aspects and disciplines within the running space. This week we’ve talked to Pam Geisel, who brings her perspective as an exercise physiologist and director of performance services at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Almost six months ago, I was in the same spot. At the base of the Williamsburg Bridge, in inclement weather, snapping photos of runners racing through the streets. I've been photographing TTB races for the last couple years. Tonight, though, had a different vibe. It was a smaller and more intimate crowd. Registration was in person. I knew most of the people at the starting line. In approaching one friend, pictured in the feature image of those post, I asked "are you running tonight?" She replied that she was happy I asked her if she was simply running and not "racing." That seemed to be the spirit of the evening. In the few I spoke to ahead of the start, the focus appeared to be more on just being present and less on the race in any traditional sense. There are certainly times to be competitive in absolute terms. And it is equally true that there were plenty of fast individuals tonight, vying for the win. But, with the smaller and more spread out field, the chilly air, and likely the final race of their 2019 season, it was great to see everyone racing for themselves.  A hearty congratulations to all the runners tonight who showed up and finished the year strong. A very happy new years to you all.  (Note: The ~63 photos may take a few seconds to load. Here is a direct link to Flickr album in case you're having trouble.) at Onecompare Powered by flickr embed.

Take the Bridge has done it again.This time traversing the Willy B starting from the Manhattan side - in the pouring rain. There's something quintessentially NYC about this Brooklyn/Manhattan borough connector and it is perhaps my favorite bridge to photograph.

Standing on the sidelines, snapping as many photos as we could, one thing was quite clear through our viewfinder. The future is now. #thefutureisfemale

So, you’ve set your sights on an upcoming half marathon? 13.1 miles is the perfect distance to test your physical and mental endurance. It’s also the perfect time to roll out a solid nutrition plan to help improve your performance on race day. Here are 13.1 Nutrition Tips For Your Next Half Marathon.

Congratulations—you’ve made it! Just qualifying for the Boston Marathon is worth celebrating. Oftentimes, as marathoners who enjoy type-A fun activities (like marathons), we lose sight of how epic it is to even be at the start line and have the privilege to compete amongst the world’s best. Throw in the most unpredictable weather each year, and you’ve got yourself one of the most celebrated days in the running universe. Be prepared for the course and know what to expect!

As a woman who dares to go out in public, I am often subjected to all kinds of lewd, sexist, or simply just startling remarks--even at 5:30AM when I’m jogging the three quarters of a mile to grab my run-buddy on the way to Prospect Park. It’s not exactly a lie to say that I rarely, if ever, feel physically threatened while practicing my sport, but it’s also not entirely true to say that I feel totally safe as a runner. At least I know I'm not alone.