Happy Thanksgiving🦃 to all of you and goodluck to any of you running Turkey Trots.  I surprise a lot of runners by saying in my almost 30 years of running, I have never run a turkey trot.  I have a few times volunteered at a turkey trot to help with the finish line, but I didn't grow up in a Turkey Trot family and so as I got older it just wasn't for me.  My ideal Thanksgiving is being the Chef 👨‍🍳 in the kitchen helping to create some fun meals and prepping for the day!  That said I love seeing all of you out there with your families or solo chasing the fun that is The Turkey Trot.

 

As we go into Thanksgiving, I always remember to take some time to be thankful for the journey I've had.  So I encourage you all to do the same, it can be hard sometimes to scroll through social media post after post and feel that you are “behind” or “need to do more” but remember there is a version of yourself who is amazed of what you are actually accomplishing in running.  So take some time this Thanksgiving to be thankful for past versions of yourself that have gotten you to where you are today!

 

In some other news if you are running The Boston Marathon this year and looking for some support check out below for Road to Race Day Boston group program! Now let's hop into the newsletter!

 

Also as always I am continuing to improve this newsletter, so if you have any suggestions or want to share any words make sure to send them our way!

 

-Nick K

 

As the holidays approach, travel, family time, and shifting routines can make your training log feel like an added stress, but it doesn’t have to be. This is the perfect time to practice adaptability and keep your training flexible.

 

If you work with a coach, communicate your holiday schedule early. Let them know if you’re traveling, overwhelmed, or juggling extra responsibilities so they can adjust your plan. Even without a coach, a few simple strategies can help:

 

 

Even if the holidays unexpectedly give you more free time, avoid cramming in extra training. Big jumps in mileage or intensity aren’t worth the risk.

 

At the end of the day, the most important part of the season is enjoying time with your people. A few lighter days or extra rest won’t derail your fitness but missed memories will stick with you far longer than a skipped run.

 

-Nick K Baltimore, MD

 

Let’s bust a myth that keeps popping up on social media. You’ve probably seen posts claiming your hips, your heel strike, or your cadence are “wrong”.  Some even critique world record holders and claim they could “fix” their form. Excuse me?

 

Here, we keep things simple: focus on what matters and tune out the noise.

 

For newer runners especially, it’s easy to feel pressured to run with a certain look or hit a magic cadence like 180(we busted that myth in an earlier newsletter). But the truth is there is no universal perfect form. We all have different bodies, and most runners “improve” their form simply because they run more and get fitter not because they followed a viral reel.

 

Most Physical Therapists will tell you: the only time to really evaluate your form is if you’re dealing with repeated injuries. In those cases, small adjustments may help long-term but otherwise you are playing with fire.

 

Otherwise? Your body is smart.  With consistent training, it naturally finds the most efficient way for you to run. Chasing “quick fixes” or trying to copy someone else’s form is far more likely to cause an injury than to shave time off your PR.

 

Ignore the noise. Trust your body. Keep running.

 

-Nick K Baltimore, MD

What question do you want the Running Explained team to answer in next week's newsletter mailbag? You tell us! Is there another question you'd like us to answer in a future issue? Send us a note!

 

— JoJo

We asked, you answered and you want to know “How do I know if I’m fatiguing from lack of carbs vs just normal training fatigue?”

 

There’s a lot of talk lately about fueling during runs, and whenever a topic gets loud on social media, runners start to wonder if it’s “real.” Fueling is real, and it matters. I think of it in two parts:

 

Everyday nutrition (eating enough), and

Fueling during runs (carbs, electrolytes).
Both impact how you feel.

 

Here’s how to tell the difference between low-carb fatigue and normal training fatigue:

 

Fueling issues are common and fixable. When in doubt, talk with a Sports RD, but remember, sometimes you’re not “losing fitness” or “being mentally weak.” Sometimes your body simply needs more support for the work you’re asking it to do.

 

-Nick K Baltimore, MD

Running the Boston Marathon this year? Want to be a part of a team that will support you whether your goal is to just experience Boston for the first time or chase a goal time?  Well Road to Race Day: Boston is for you. Road to Race Day: Boston is more than a training program; it’s a connected, coach-led community built to help you train smarter and race with confidence at The 2026 Boston Marathon.  This close-knit team of up to 20 runners and 3 coaches will support you through your training block.  To help you feel prepared with everything you could want to know about the Boston Marathon experience. 

 

Inside this 16-week program, you’ll get:

Program starts 29 December, but don't delay because spots are limited!  Click the banner above for more information or hit the button below to sign up now!

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