Introduction

This is the audio version of a piece I published on my Substackhttps://bromka.substack.com/p/my-adolescent-strideSubscribe there to receive pieces when I write them.

I love the Boston Marathon. Having raced it nine times, I've come to obsess and admire all of its details.In 2018 I wrote this article for Runnersworld about how to approach the course. If you're racing, have a wonderful day. If you're cheering, scream your lungs out. And if you're considering putting in the work to someday arrive in Hopkinton to run, I'm promise you that it's worth the effort.Music: Helen, by Elias Hix

If you thought my experience racing TSP 4.0 was intense, wait till you hear this one.A year after running myself into the hospital with heat exhaustion, I returned to captain the team from Nike to face off against team Adidas. The rivalry was understated but assumed. Both teams were fully committed, financially flush, and willing to take risks for victory.But it’s just a relay race, right?What could go wrong?Background audio:  I know it won’t work - Gracie Abrams

The Speed Project is kind of insane. I mean, it's just a running relay, so it's not THAT nuts, but compared to most competitive running events it's off the rails.This is the story of team Tracksmith, from TSP 4.0 in 2018. This isn't the story I'd hoped to write. I wanted to be able to tell a tale of victory and success, but that's not always how adventures end.Huge credit goes to the Tracksmith team, especially Emily Maye, who documented our suffering, and Matt Taylor, who signed off on something so unpredictable at the intersection of competition and corporate marketing.Text version of the story is available hereThanks for listening!Background audio: Serotonin - Angie McMahon

How much is too much?What keeps us from pushing for even more?And why does that one guy who runs a ton bother me so?!These are the questions that I aim to explore in this piece. The thoughts had been circling in my brain for years before I finally sat down and wrote them out for UltraSignup NewsArticle available here: https://news.ultrasignup.com/the-definition-of-endurance-insanity/

An essay about embracing the beautiful discomfort in workouts. https://bromka.medium.com/confine-your-runner-mind-59724cfe21c4

I love the 5k. Even when it's awful. And I so so wanted to break the 15-minute barrier. So much so that it hung over me for two decades.This is the story of the day I finally broke through. Written essay available here:https://bromka.substack.com/p/fear-vs-fatigue

I probably should have posted this first. This is something that I'm going to try. If you have feedback, thoughts, or suggestions, please be in touch!

The journey of a runner not running, by Peter Bromka @bromka on Instagram peterbromka.com for more stories