What do the Boston Marathon, a haunted New England classic, Detroit riverfront miles, Grandma’s Marathon, a Harley-themed half, Yellowstone racecation dreams, Las Vegas chaos, and a Judy Blume coming-of-age classic have in common?

They are all part of Episode 3 of Running, Reading, and Racing in the USA, Extraordinary Strides’ five-part summer series exploring all 50 states through books, races, local running gems, and the stories that make each place unforgettable.

This week, we travel from Massachusetts through New Jersey, with book pairings, racecation ideas, state trivia, and plenty of “wait, should I add that to my someday list?” energy.

Featured states: Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, and New Jersey.

On the bookish side, we are talking The Scarlet Letter, Mystic River, North Woods, Middlesex, The Virgin Suicides, Firekeeper’s Daughter, The Lager Queen of Minnesota, Ordinary Grace, The Latehomecomer, The Help, A Time to Kill, Mudbound, James, Gone Girl, Stoner, A River Runs Through It, Montana 1948, My Ántonia, Eleanor & Park, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, One for the Money, and Americanah.

On the racecation side, we are covering Falmouth Road Race, Boston Marathon, Boston 10K for Women, Baystate Marathon, Detroit Free Press Marathon, Grand Rapids Marathon, Traverse City Bayshore Marathon, Grandma’s Marathon, Twin Cities Marathon, Mankato Marathon, Hattiesburg Half Marathon, Harley Half Marathon, Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, Bass Pro Conservation Marathon, Kansas City Marathon, Run Liberty Half, Missoula Marathon, Bozeman Marathon, Yellowstone Half, Glacier Half, Good Life Halfsy, Lincoln Marathon, Nebraska State Fair Marathon, Rock Tahoe Half Marathon, Red Rock Canyon, Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon, Clarence DeMar Marathon, Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon, Covered Bridges Half Marathon, New Hampshire 10 Miler, OCNJ Half Marathon, Run the Vineyards, Statue of Liberty 5K, and Jersey City race ideas.

Choose one book. Add one race to your someday list. Then tell us which state you would most love to read, run, or explore next.

Read. Run. Explore. Connect.

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What do Hawaiʻi hula traditions, an Idaho race called Jackass Half Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Kentucky bourbon-country relays, New Orleans vampires, coastal Maine miles, and Maryland’s historic JFK 50 Mile have in common?

They are all part of Episode 2 of Running, Reading, and Racing in the USA, Extraordinary Strides’ five-part summer series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary through the stories we read, the places we explore, and the races that make us want to start a wildly ambitious racecation spreadsheet.

This week, we travel from Hawaiʻi through Maryland, with bookish escapes, bucket-list races, local running gems, and the travel details that make each state feel like more than a pin on a map.

Featured states: Hawaiʻi, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, and Maryland.

You’ll hear about unforgettable reads including Molokaʻi, Hula, This Is Paradise, Housekeeping, Idaho, Train Dreams, The Devil in the White City, The House on Mango Street, The Time Traveler’s Wife, The Fault in Our Stars, A Thousand Acres, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, Interview with the Vampire, Olive Kitteridge, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

On the runcation side, we are talking Kauaʻi Marathon and Half Marathon, The Hapalua, Maui Oceanfront Marathon, Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Jackass Half Marathon and 5K, Mesa Falls Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Shamrock Shuffle, Quad Cities Marathon, Indy Mini, Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Carmel Marathon, DAM to DSM, Garmin Olathe Marathon in the Land of Oz, Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon, Bourbon Chase, Urban Bourbon Half Marathon, Crescent City Classic 10K, Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon, Baltimore Running Festival, Annapolis 10 Miler, and JFK 50 Mile.

You’ll also get:
• Why Hawaiʻi deserves reading that goes beyond resort-postcard energy
• A flat-and-fast Midwest alternative for runners who want great production without a World Marathon Major lottery
• Cheryl Massey’s insider Indiana recommendations, including the scenic but spicy Brown County Hilly Half
• A little Kansas Oz magic, plus a race where themed shoes may be strongly encouraged
• Why Kentucky is made for runners who enjoy books, bourbon, bluegrass, and relay vans
• A Louisiana preview as Every Woman’s Marathon heads there in February 2027
• Coastal Maine race ideas, Chesapeake Bay running inspiration, and a few local details worth knowing before you book the trip

This is not a reading assignment or a 50-state race checklist. It is an invitation to get curious.

Choose one book. Add one race to your someday list. Then come tell us which state you would most love to read, run, or explore next.

Read. Run. Explore. Connect.

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What can a great book, a bucket-list race, and a memorable local running route tell us about a state?

Welcome to Episode 1 of Running, Reading, and Racing in the USA, an Extraordinary Strides five-part summer series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary through the stories we read, the places we explore, and the finish lines we dream about.

In this first episode, we travel alphabetically from Alabama through Georgia, pairing iconic books, popular reads, and unexpected wild cards with must-run races, racecation inspiration, local running gems, and a few delightfully specific state facts along the way.

Featured States: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, and Georgia.

We are talking Rocket City Marathon, Mount Marathon Race, Lost Dutchman Marathon, Little Rock Marathon, Big Sur International Marathon, BOLDERBoulder, Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Gate River Run, and the AJC Peachtree Road Race.

On the reading side, expect everything from To Kill a Mockingbird, Homegoing, Into the Wild, The Great Alone, Stargirl, True Grit, East of Eden, White Oleander, The Joy Luck Club, The Shining, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Bad Monkey, Swamplandia!, The Color Purple, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

You will hear why Mount Marathon is often called one of the toughest 5Ks in the world, why California belongs on every runner’s racecation radar, what makes Florida running both magical and mildly unhinged, where to chase desert views in Arizona, and which states deserve more attention from readers and runners alike.

Tell me what I missed and what you’re adding to your must-run list, then subscribe, share with a running-and-reading friend, and leave a review so more people can find the series.

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Running trends are everywhere right now, from Garmin badge chasing and runDisney friendship bracelets to Strava titles, race-day tattoos, emotional support water bottles, matching outfits, sparkle, DJ run clubs, and yes… people apparently churning butter on the run.

In this fun and wildly relatable episode of Extraordinary Strides, Coach Christine is joined by Shelly Rose to unpack the viral running trends they love, the ones they would happily retire, and the race-day etiquette runners should not ignore. Then they take on the Running Alphabet Challenge, trying to cheer on imaginary runners from A to Z without Googling, cheating, or losing their dignity somewhere around X.

Whether you run, walk, race, cheer, sparkle, badge chase, or simply wonder what on earth runners are doing on social media, this episode is a lighthearted reminder that fitness does not have to be serious to be meaningful, and community really does make the miles better.

If you enjoyed today's episode, please share it with a running friend. Leave us a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can find us at the Stride Collective. 

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Is Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend the best runDisney race weekend for first-timers? In this episode of Extraordinary Strides, Christine kicks off a four-part guide to the Walt Disney World runDisney race weekends with a deep dive into Wine & Dine.

By the time this episode airs, most current registration dates have passed, so this conversation is perfect for future race planning, charity bib decisions, and runners trying to decide which runDisney weekend actually fits their goals, training season, travel budget, and personality.

Christine is joined by two runners who love Wine & Dine for very different reasons. Allegra shares why Wine & Dine was a joyful first half marathon experience, what northern runners should know about training for Florida humidity, and why this weekend can feel lower pressure than other runDisney events. Wendy brings the perspective of an experienced runDisney runner who has completed every current Walt Disney World race weekend and still chooses Wine & Dine as her favorite.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Wine & Dine may be a great first runDisney weekend
• How it compares to Marathon Weekend, Princess Weekend, and Springtime Surprise
• What northern runners should know about heat, humidity, and Florida weather
• Why the after-party is part of the magic, but also requires a plan
• Who Wine & Dine is best for
• Who may want to choose a different runDisney weekend
• Tips for training, costumes, packing, and race weekend strategy

If you are considering a future Wine & Dine registration, looking at charity bibs, or dreaming about your first runDisney race, this episode will help you decide whether this flavorful fall race weekend belongs on your calendar.

Grab Coach Christine’s free runDisney Challenge Training Guide here:
https://extraordinarystrides.com/rundisney/

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Running can be the most consistent thing in your life, right up until your body forces a plot twist. Shelly Rose is back, and the “first half marathon” version of her has evolved into a runner with multiple half marathons, Ragnar memories, Run Disney miles, and a very real injury chapter that includes a calf strain and plantar fasciitis. That detour sparks a bigger question we all face: how do you keep building fitness when running cannot be the only tool?

We get practical about cross-training for runners, including what actually counts and why the purpose matters more than the label. We talk aerobic capacity and zone 2 work, the role of mobility and strength training, and the surprisingly specific details that make workouts work or fail, like aqua jogging without losing your mind, stationary bike discomfort, and why hot yoga can be approachable even if you do not “flow.” Shelly also shares how dance fitness like Jazzercise and Zumba delivers sweat, joy, and the lateral movement running misses, plus how “wrong and strong” can be a perfect mindset for learning something new safely.

Then we go deeper into the mental side: comparison, perfectionism, and what it feels like to rebuild after time off while your watch keeps reminding you of past paces. We close with a joyful movement draft for stressful days, low impact days, and “I want to feel strong” days, plus a listener challenge to help us pick the next cross-training adventure.

Subscribe, share this with a runner who needs options, and leave a review if the show helps you keep showing up. What cross-training should we try together next?

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Summer can feel like it should make fitness easier, but the reality is the opposite: aggressive heat, heavy humidity, pop-up storms, travel weekends, later dinners, and the kind of schedule blur that turns one late night into three. I call it the summer fitness trap, and if you’ve been stuck in the “I’ll restart Monday” cycle, this is your reset with a plan that actually fits real life.

We build a summer minimum you can keep even on messy days, using the good, better, best approach and “exercise confetti” (small pockets of movement that add up). I share simple anchors for consistency, plus practical ideas for mobility, strength snacks, and protecting your time without becoming rigid. If you want summer running tips that respect safety and sanity, we also talk about pacing by effort in heat and humidity, why your watch is not your boss, when the treadmill helps, and how run walk intervals can make training feel doable again.

Long runs get their own survival guide: how to split a long run strategically, how to fuel and cool down between sessions, and how to keep the whole process fun enough that you want to show up. We also cover hydration for runners (water earlier, electrolytes when sweat demands it) and simple nutrition support with protein, fiber, and snack strategy that travels with you.

If you want extra structure and community, I also share what Camp Runamuk is and who it’s for. Register here. 

If this helps, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who’s struggling in the heat, and leave a review so more runners and walkers can find these summer consistency tools. What’s your summer minimum going to be?

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You made it to Day 5 of Mayday Miles: Finish Line Field Day! ✨

Today we are celebrating every small win, because you did not have to do this week perfectly for it to count.

Your mission: choose your celebration movement. Walk, run, run-walk, stretch, strength train, dance walk, recovery stroll, playlist miles, or anything that helps you finish this week feeling proud.

Today’s add-in: add joy.

Wear something bright, take a scenic route, listen to your favorite playlist, move outside, celebrate a small win, or invite a friend into your next chapter.

Check-in prompt:
My Mayday win was ________.
For June, I want more ________.

Suggested playlist is included with today’s Mayday Miles email.

To be entered for today’s prize, complete the prompt and check in by 10 PM ET by replying to the daily email or commenting on the dedicated daily thread in The Stride Collective.

Prize winners will be announced on Memorial Day Monday during a LIVE. You do not have to attend live to win. Winners will be contacted by email.

Mayday Miles was the trailhead. The trail continues into June.

Join here:
https://runningnewsletter.myflodesk.com/maydaymiles

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Welcome to Day 4 of Mayday Miles: Trail Buddy Thursday. ✨

Today is all about movement plus connection, because support makes consistency so much easier.

Your mission: add intentional movement with a little connection. Walk or run with a friend, text someone before or after your workout, post your check-in, share a photo, cheer someone else on, or invite a friend to join.

Moving solo? That still counts. Add connection through encouragement, a shoutout, or your check-in.

Today’s add-in: add support.

Check-in prompt:
Today’s Trail Buddy shoutout goes to ________.

Featured playlist is included with today’s Mayday Miles email.

To be entered for today’s prize, complete the prompt and check in by 10 PM ET by replying to the daily email or commenting on the dedicated daily thread in The Stride Collective.

Tiny June hint: team spirit may be entering the chat soon. 👀

You can still join Mayday Miles and be eligible for the days you complete.

Join here:
https://runningnewsletter.myflodesk.com/maydaymiles

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Your breathing is not just background noise. It is a lever you can pull to change your heart rate, calm your nervous system, and stay in control when a run starts to feel “spicy.”

I’m joined by Lynn Kinney, LCSW, longtime endurance athlete, and the steady voice behind our Mindful Moment Wednesdays. Together we unpack breathwork and meditation in a way that actually fits real life: quick two to three minute resets, guided options for racing thoughts, and a simple rule that makes breathing practices more effective for stress and recovery. We also talk heart rate variability (HRV) and wearables with a healthy dose of perspective so you can use your data without giving up your own intuition.

Then I take it straight to the roads and trails. We dig into nasal breathing as an easy-run and zone 2 intensity check, plus what to do when nasal-only breathing is not realistic because of allergies, congestion, or a deviated septum. You’ll learn practical, run-specific rhythmic breathing patterns (3-2 for easier efforts, 2-1 for hills and intervals), how to avoid panic breathing, and the form cues that make better breathing feel more natural: tall posture, relaxed jaw, soft shoulders, and a steady exhale.

If you want better endurance training, smoother pacing, and a stronger recovery routine, start with the one tool you always have with you. 

Subscribe, share this with a running friend, and leave a review so more everyday runners can find these simple breathing strategies.

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