Runnable, the nerve and making strong habits

Hi all,
Last week I was in New Hampshire hiking and leaf peeping. Nothing like being back on the east coast where I grew up to make me really appreciate the west with the big mountains, lots of open space and fewer people sharing the trails. I got in some runs that could not have been rockier and honestly, I only counted them as a run because the whole time I was saying, "this is runnable" with a small and fake bounce in my step. That isn't running, it is a delusion. (It reminded me of this video.) East coast White Mountain trail runners, I salute you! Those trails are just giant rock piles. It is awesome to be back home! 

WEDNESDAY CLASS IS BACK THIS WEEK
Strength Training for Runners, 30 minutes live to your screen is back this week after a week off. I hope you will join me there. Start making habits that make shorter daylight hours more tolerable. 

ULTRAU EMAIL ARCHIVE
Starting now, I am archiving the Tuesday emails on my website. In case you remember an article I sent a few weeks ago and want to find it, here is a way to look back. I only have the last few emails up and I do not plan to go back in time to the 200 emails I have sent since November 2020. For real, 200! The longest streak of anything I have done, ever! 

NERVES NEED TO MOVE
This article from I Run Far is a great primer on nerves, how nerves move in the body, why you may feel stiff and lacking mobility if the nerves are compressed and how dehydration may be cause nerves to lose their natural glide. 

"A tight nerve in the lower leg can create and sustain stiffness, tension, and even trigger points in a calf — an issue that no amount of generalized calf massage, stretching, and strengthening will sustainably alleviate. Moreover, a tight, irritable nerve can create swelling in nearby tissues. For example, that same tight lower leg nerve can dump swelling into the heel and ankle, making it appear that you have seriously strained the ankle or Achilles. The joint or tendon will swell, get tight, and sore. But attempts to treat the immediate area will result in short-term improvements. The take-home: in such cases, only by improving nerve mobility will the local tissues move and function efficiently."
THRU HIKE SCHOLARSHIP
The camping brand Big Agnes is sponsoring 3 hikers for a 2025 thru-hike of their choice. Have you been wanting to hike the PCT? This could be your big break! Apply by October 15 so think fast. 

Happy trails,
Dana