An Affinity Between Mastery of Craft and Running

Running takes many forms. Over the years, I’ve spoken with countless runners about what drives them to lace up and move. Each story is like a fingerprint — deeply personal, yet strangely universal.

Craft is no different. We bring our voice, our history, and our passion to the work. Mastery, in either pursuit, isn’t achieved overnight. It’s long and often quiet. There are no shortcuts, no room for illusion. Just consistent, deliberate effort. The willingness to explore, refine, and let the soul guide the hand, or the stride, is what gives both running and craft their meaning.

As makers and runners, we live within the journey. The practice itself is the transformation. Craft shapes ideas and raw materials into authentic expressions that offer us a connection with the objects and belongings in our lives. There is beauty in something made by hand. It carries meaning. It resonates.

And, like craft, honest and genuine running resists efficiency. It’s unpredictable. Intuitive as much as instructional. Even the best training plans falter when life intervenes. We adapt. We recommit. And in that recalibration, we move closer to something that resembles excellence — our unique version of it.

BEETROOT CACAO OAT MILK W BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER FOAM

I love preparing this milk with its beautiful natural colors and subtle earthiness. It’s sweet, soothing & fun.

BENEFITS:

Butterfly Pea Flower is a natural remedy used to balance the nervous system.PP

Beetroot is purported to improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increase exercise performance.

Cacao is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and rich in magnesium and iron.

INGREDIENTS

1 C oat milk or preferred milk option

1 Tsp beetroot powder

1 1/2 Tsp cacao powder

Raw honey to taste

1/4 Tsp Butterfly Pea Flower powder

Add first 4 ingredients into a saucepan and heat using a whisk to blend

Froth 1/8 C of oat milk with the Butterfly Pea Flower powder

Pour beetroot cacao milk into a cup followed by the frothed milk

Enjoy

CACAO & ADAPTOGEN LATTE WITH OAT MILK

This is a chilly winter night ritual for me with its subtle sweetness and warmth.

BENEFITS:

Ashwagandha is know for reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, and enhancing cognitive function.

Maca may help balance hormones, prevent cognitive decline and protect the nervous system..

Cacao is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and rich in magnesium and iron.

Cinnamon is high in antioxidants, may help lower fasting blood sugar levels and improve body metabolism

INGREDIENTS

1 C oat milk or preferred milk option

1 Tbs cacao powder or 1/8 C dark chocolate chips

1 Tsp ashwagandha root powder

1 Tsp maca root powder

1/4 Tsp Cinnamon for dusting

Heat milk in saucepan

Add cacao, ashwagandha and maca powders using a whisk to blend

Froth 1/8 C of oat milk

Pour cacao milk into a cup followed by the frothed milk, then dust with cinnamon

Enjoy

GREEN APPLE, PINEAPPLE & BURDOCK ROOT JUICE

One of my favorite fresh-pressed juice combos!

The power of plants —

Burdock Root’s history in Western herbalism and traditional Chinese medicine is best known for its cleansing properties for your skin and as a blood purifier. As with most plant foods, it’s a source of antioxidants. It adds a subtle woody flavor that smooths out the tart taste of the pineapple and green apple.

Green apple adds Vit A for vision and Vit C to support your skin and immune system.

Pineapple has bromelain which can help with muscle recovery through its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and as a bonus, it aids digestion.

INGREDIENTS

Pineapple

4 Green Apples

6 Burdock Roots

Juice individually and mix according to taste

STRAWBERRY CASHEW DATE SMOOTHIE

I was thinking about this one on my run this morning and made a beeline home for it!

INGREDIENTS

1 Frozen organic banana

8 Frozen organic strawberries

2 tbsp Cashew butter

4 Dates

1.5 cups Oat milk

4 tbsp Amino acid protein powder

Blend & enjoy

HOW TO JOIN A RUN GROUP

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

Why the hesitation? Is there trepidation to just show up and be part of it and run? Do you think they are faster than you? That they have been racing PRs since they could tie their shoes? Do you imagine they are more socially connected than you? Is that what is so intimidating?

I felt timidity joining new run groups in NYC for the first time upon returning to running after a long hiatus. Would it feel a little bit like picking teams for dodgeball in middle school gym class all over again? Would I show up and stand alone awkwardly while others conversed and moved seamlessly into their pace groups? Would we share mutual interests beyond running? Was I out of my league and would struggle to keep up?

Thankfully, my desire to be part of something and be with others who enjoyed the run was greater than my fear. By stepping out of my small safe little world of one I became part of a community that encourages each other, cheers for all, stays by each other’s side and occasionally runs ahead in the purest and most beautiful form of competition. You can always go out on a solo run, but knowing you are connected to an incredible and diverse web of people imbues the run with joy and makes your stride a little lighter and quicker.

So, how do you join a run group?

You show up

And since there are so many options, here are a few questions to ask —

What are you looking for in a run group? Mentor? Coach? Community? What will help you show up to be your best?

What👁ThinkAboutOnMyRun

#IndividualWithinTheTribe

ELECTROLYTE & COLLAGEN CASHEW BEET SMOOTHIE

This is hands down the most delicious way to replenish your electrolytes and feed your body the essential amino acids needed for recovery after a hot & humid run!

INGREDIENTS

1 Frozen organic banana

6 Frozen organic strawberries

1 tbsp Cocoa powder

1 tbsp Cashew butter

1 cup Oat milk

2 tbsp Beet juice

2 tbsp Goodonya Collagen

1 tbsp Goodonya Hydrate

THE PIVOT

Pivoting and working with circumstances you are faced with — As the number of races that I need to scratch are mounting, the idea of an exciting spring racing season is vanishing.

So what is plan B? How do I make the most of an otherwise disappointing period?

Pivoting can feel like a failure or at the very least a submission. Or… it can be empowering in the knowing that there are options that we must explore or a return to something nurturing and necessary that was left behind. It’s the obstacles that cause us to pause and the pause that becomes an opportunity for growth and improvement, if we allow time for reflection and inquiry. It’s no doubt a difficult time, one that calls for honesty, patience and openness. But when we let go of what was supposed to happen and focus on what is currently unfolding, we have the power to manifest what is to become with more intention and wisdom. Here lies the belief that we emerge stronger and wiser with an appreciation of what was lost and what will be found — It’s the journey.

What 👁 Think About On My Run

CHAMOMILE

Farmers markets are abundant with fresh herbs in spring & summer! I keep Chamomile as a bouquet in the kitchen and later dry it for tea and a simple syrup for fun summertime cocktails

Used for its medicinal qualities as far back as ancient Greek and Roman times, Chamomile continues to be prized for its health benefits — sleep, stress reduction, digestion, soothe sore throat & cough, manage blood sugar levels

Chamomile Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup honey or sugar

2 tbsp dried chamomile flowers

1-2 lemon peels

Boil all for 10-20 minutes

Strain

Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks

Chamomile Bee’s Knee Cocktail

Ice

2 ounces gin

¾ ounce lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

¾ ounce chamomile honey syrup

Combine gin, lemon juice, and chamomile honey syrup in a cocktail shaker over ice.

Shake vigorously and then strain into a chilled coupe

Chamomile Berry Spritzer

Ice

Chamomile syrup

Fresh blackberries or strawberries

Sparkling water

Muddle fresh blackberries or strawberries in a glass

Add ice

Pour 1 tbsp or to taste of chamomile syrup

Sparkling water to fill a glass

Stir & garnish with lemon peel and fresh chamomile