I'm back from a weekend in Sacremento spectating the California International Marathon, also known as CIM.  I've been to this race 4 times now, 3 to spectate and 1 to run and let me tell you it is my absolute favorite race to be at.  The vibes, the course, the atmosphere the city they all show up and it truly can be a magical place.  I ran my PR here back in 2018 and I have coached three women to a US Olympic Trials Qualifying (OTQ) result over the years. Over the last 7 years it has become a place where lots of runners PR's are from, where BQ's are made, and an OTQ factory.  The finish line around the 2:16 and 2:37 time is incredible and the vibes are amazing.  If you get a chance to run this race, I would say absolutely go and race it, it's one of my favorite races.

 

-Nick K

It’s Strava Year in Sport season, which means many of us are looking back at our numbers and sometimes…spiraling. Before you let your Year in Review send you down a comparison rabbit hole, remember this: your data is not the full story of your year, and it certainly does not define your worth as an athlete.

 

As we move through our running careers, we all experience highs and lows. Those moments are unique to your journey, not anyone else’s. When we start comparing our recap to someone else’s, that’s when these summaries can chip away at our confidence and distort how we feel about the sport.

 

Strava is a fantastic tool for tracking progress, discovering routes, and exploring new places. But it also makes it easy to slip into comparison mode, especially when you see other runners' big mileage totals or flashy highlights. That comparison rarely helps, and the Year in Review can stir up a lot of unnecessary emotions.

 

What truly matters are the wins that don’t always show up in a data dashboard. Maybe you stayed consistent. Maybe you finally joined a run club. Maybe you had fewer injuries this year. Those are victories worth celebrating just as much as PRs or weekly mileage records.

 

At the end of the day, your “why” is what matters most.  Not the total miles, hours, or elevation you logged in twelve months. Reconnect with that why, and let it anchor your mindset far more than any algorithm-generated summary ever could.

 

-Nick K Baltimore, MD

This time of year is perfect for talking about cross-training—but let’s make sure it actually supports your running rather than simply stacking on more hours of training.

 

Many runners dabble in cross-training when they’re healthy, but a common mistake is treating it as additional training rather than a tool to supplement training. Before long, rest days get replaced with extra sessions on the bike or in the pool, weekly training volume doubles, and athletes convince themselves that because it isn’t running, it can’t lead to overuse issues. Unfortunately, that’s not how the body works.

 

Cross-training can absolutely help you maintain or even build fitness. For some athletes, high-intensity bike sessions can provide tremendous aerobic benefit. Aqua jogging can offer quality workouts without impact. These tools have value, but the stress they create still needs to be managed with the same care as your running volume. And if you increase training load, your nutritional needs must increase as well.

 

So when you think about cross-training, see it for what it is: a valuable supplement, not simply “extra.” Swapping a run for a bike workout, or adding a single easy spin to your week, can support your goals and even help you access new fitness. But adding hours of additional training just because it’s not running will eventually catch up with you. Stress is stress, no matter the modality.

 

-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 today's topic is “Why do I get anxious before hard workouts?”

 

Getting anxious before a workout is far more common than most runners admit. It can seem like everyone else shows up to speedwork calm and confident, but the truth is that almost every athlete feels some level of nerves before harder sessions. That anxiety is simply a signal that the workout matters to you. Those butterflies can be useful, they remind you that you care. But too much anxiety can quickly derail a session.

 

For many runners, workout anxiety comes from the belief that the workout is something they can’t do, or that they might “fail.” The solution is a simple but powerful mindset shift: view workouts as opportunities to gain fitness, not tests to prove it. This reframing turns a high-pressure, pass/fail moment into one of curiosity and growth. If the purpose of the workout is to make you a little fitter, is it even possible to fail?

So the next time you’re headed into a workout, don’t treat anxiety as the enemy. A little nervous energy shows you care. Bring those butterflies with you, lean into the discomfort, and remember: every workout is about building fitness—not proving your worth as a runner.

 

 

-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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