The Runner's Exchange

Hey everyone! I’m starting a new mini-series on the blog called "What I Wish I Knew Sooner" —a space where I’ll be sharing honest reflections, advice, and little lessons I’ve learned throughout my years as an athlete. Whether you're just getting into sports or have been training for a while, I hope these posts can give you something valuable—maybe even something I really wish someone had told me earlier. We’re starting today with the first part: Training —how it evolves, how it feels, and what no one really tells you about the journey. Stay tuned for more posts soon on topics like nutrition , mental health , and avoiding burnout , with athlete spotlights and other fun posts in between! What I Wish I Knew Sooner: Notes to My Younger Athlete Self Training Training started off as something fun. Depending on the age you get into running, the experience can feel really different—but I like to believe that deep down, everyone who sticks with it does so because they genuinel...

 Medford, New Jersey  800m, 4x400m & 1500m runner Runner Spotlight When Grace was just five years old, her mom signed her and her brother up for their town’s track club—just a fun way to keep them active and try something new. But from the start, Grace was all in. She didn’t just participate—she loved it. Weekend track meets quickly became her thing, and she wasn’t picky about events. Sprints? Sure. Distance? Why not. Probably even gave throws or jumps a try. Young champions celebrating their wins Even back then, you could see little Grace with a medal around her neck, holding up her tiny watch before the start of a race, already thinking about times and how to get faster. Running was just for fun at that age, but for her, there was always a little extra spark—something that made her want to keep pushing. As she got older, two events stood out: the 800m and the 4x400m. By high school, she was all in on middle-distance racing. The 800 isn’t just about being fast—it’s abo...