Hi. It's me. Nicky Tamberrino

The Hard Truth: The Most Important Run is the One You Don’t Want to Do Let’s cut the fluff. Life isn’t about doing what’s easy or comfortable. It’s about facing the tough stuff head-on—the things you’d rather avoid, the things that push you to your limits. So, let’s talk about the truth you probably don’t want to hear: the most important run is the one you don’t want to do. The Run You Dread: Where the Real Work Happens You know that run you keep putting off? The one that makes you groan just thinking about it? That’s the run that matters most. When you lace up your shoes and every cell in your body screams, “Not today!”—that’s the exact moment you need to step up. It’s not just about physical endurance; it’s about mental toughness. It’s about proving to yourself that you can push through, even when every part of you wants to quit. That’s where the real work happens. When you conquer that run, you’re not just winning a battle against the pavement—you’re winning a battle against yoursel...

One thing I find myself reminding new marathoners time and time again is this: running is hard for all of us. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been running for years or if you’re lacing up your sneakers for the first time. The challenge is real, and it’s something every runner faces. There’s a common misconception that "real" runners—those who have completed multiple marathons or seem to have endless energy—somehow find it easier. Maybe it looks like we wake up every morning eager to hit the pavement, with a natural drive and enthusiasm that makes the miles fly by effortlessly. But let me tell you, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is, running is tough. There are days when even the most seasoned runners struggle to find the motivation to get out the door. We all experience the fatigue, the mental battles, and the physical strain that come with training. What separates runners from non-runners isn’t that it’s easier for us, but that we do it anyway. And also, for...

Lately, I've found myself in a completely freaked-out state, feeling like I'm in full alarm mode when things seem off. It's a familiar cycle for me, and it's often why I write about balance, acceptance, and surrender. The truth is, these are the very things I need to hear myself. Even though the words pour out onto the page, they don't always resonate with me as deeply as I'd like. If it's just a "meh" kind of day, I can usually quiet the voices telling me that I  need  to figure out what's going on with me. But after that, the spiral begins. I go into "fix-it" mode, asking myself what I need to change in my life. Then come the impulsive decisions, radical restrictions, and a meticulously crafted plan to regain control. Impulsive Decisions: A Quick Dopamine Hit For me, impulsive decisions are anything that gives me a quick dopamine hit. It might be shopping, signing up for a new class, race, or activity—anything that feels like it wil...