THE ROOT 9: 9.1

Nourishing Ourselves As We Would Our Loved Ones

This quote beautifully flips the script on self-care. Instead of thinking about it as something you should do, it invites you to consider the profound responsibility you'd feel if you were temporarily inhabiting the body and mind of someone deeply cherished. Suddenly, the choices around nourishment, movement, and inner dialogue become imbued with immense care and intention. It makes you wonder: would you berate their mistakes? Would you fuel them with things that drain their energy? Probably not. You'd likely treat them with the utmost kindness and respect, cherishing their well-being as your own.

Now, the powerful question it poses is whether we can extend that same level of compassion and attentiveness inward. This week, as you navigate its inevitable ups and downs, try to approach yourself with that same loving consideration. Imagine you are safeguarding the precious vessel of someone you adore. What small acts of kindness can you offer yourself? What gentle words can you whisper to your inner voice? By shifting your perspective, you might find a wellspring of motivation rooted not in obligation, but in genuine care and a deep desire to nurture yourself in ways you would a loved one.

Please find the reel that inspired this week’s motivation below. Highly recommend following Adriana for a well-rounded perspective on wellness 🙂

Intentional Strides For Maximizing Your Run

Before my first half-marathon training, the idea of purposeful strides was new. But I quickly learned that being intentional about your stride is a game-changer for performance, injury prevention, and making longer distances feel more sustainable.

It’s fairly intuitive: long, powerful strides feel great for short bursts but can quickly drain you on tough trails or longer runs. I think of a balloon releasing all its air at once – fast yet hard to control. Shorter, quicker steps, on the other hand, are like slowly releasing air, offering more control and conserving energy.

When shifting my mindset to shorter strides, my ego initially chimed in: "Don’t shorter strides mean less effort?" Consciously shortening your stride can feel counterintuitive, but it's a strategic move, an investment in your performance and recovery. Overcoming that mental block was key for me, and I want to share when and why shorter strides can be your secret weapon.

What are Short Strides?
Unlike long strides, short strides mean:

When to Focus on Short Strides:

This section was inspired from a personal lesson learned just this past Saturday. Excited for a beautiful trail run, I overlooked the importance of intentional strides on a challenging terrain with ~1.6K of elevation gain and loose rocks & turns. Three trips, two falls, and some bruises later (thankfully, nothing major) reminded me that even when I’m excited to just get out there I need to stay mindful. We all need a nudge sometimes.

Just for fun and to give credit where credit is due, Aaron Phillips has put together an awesome array of playlists to help with music set to a certain cadence. One for 160-165 BPM, 165-170 BPM, 170-175 BPM. and 175-180 BPM. You can find them all on his profile here

But here are some of my personal favorites:

I love Manchester Orchestra because of the way their lyrics and melodies intertwine, creating a truly visceral experience for the listener. That's what resonates most with me about music – the stories, memories, and reflections each song evokes in us is deeply personal, even if you’re listening to the same song as the person next to you.

“I Know How To Speak” speaks to me deeply because of the underlying message of hope it offers, even in the face of the uncertain nature of the future. To me, it suggests that the challenges and hurts we've encountered in life, far from being burdens, serve as invaluable and enduring forms of training. It reminds us that the mindset we cultivate around our past experiences, whether positive or negative, can often hold more power than the events themselves. By acknowledging this, we can harness those experiences as fuel, grounding us in our aspirations for growth and shaping who we are evolving into.