Storytelling Event Experience

This week, I had the privilege of performing live at a storytelling event hosted by "First Person Live" at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights. It was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The theme was "Confessions," and I had a heartfelt confession to share. Although preparing for this event took some time away from my running, the experience was incredibly rewarding.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the 17 wonderful friends who attended, including my amazing wife and our two boys. Your support means everything to me, and your encouraging words about my performance have truly touched my heart. Moments like these remind me of how fortunate I am to have such a loving community.

Additionally, I’m thrilled to mention that this was my first paid storytelling gig! It’s remarkable to earn money doing something I love, and it feels even better knowing that it’s driven purely by passion.

Running Progress

I successfully completed my scheduled 14-mile long run in Deer Grove East and Palatine Trail. In hindsight, starting earlier would have been beneficial, as the temperature climbed to 78 degrees. The last four miles were particularly challenging, but I persevered.

Balancing My Training and Storytelling

Due to my dedication to the storytelling event, I was only able to fit in one extra 4-mile run and a strength training session. However, I also managed a 3-mile walk, which allowed me to rehearse my storytelling while staying active.

Nutrition and Weight Loss

I adhered to my plan of consuming nutritious foods 80% of the time, and this balanced approach is yielding positive results. This week, I experienced a notable weight loss of 3 pounds, reducing my weight from 266 to 260 pounds.

Looking Forward

Next week will be a reduced mileage week, with a planned long run of 10 miles. I’m looking forward to a lighter training load before ramping up the intensity once more.

Planned Long Runs

Here’s a summary of my upcoming long runs:

• Week 1: 6 Miles (Completed)
• Week 2: 8 Miles (Completed)
• Week 3: 10 Miles (Completed)
• Week 4: 12 Miles (Completed)
• Week 5: 10 Miles (Completed)
• Week 6: 14 Miles (Completed)
• Week 7: 10 Miles
• Week 8: 16 Miles
• Week 9: 10 Miles
• Week 10: 18 Miles
• Week 11: 10 Miles
• Week 12: 13.1 Miles (Hidden Gem Half Marathon)
• Week 13: 10 Miles
• Week 14: 20 Miles (Fox Valley 20 Miler)
• Week 15: 10 Miles
• Week 16: 6 Miles
• Oct 13, 2024: 26.2 Miles (Chicago Marathon)

Thank you all for your unwavering support and encouragement. Your positive energy keeps me motivated as I continue on this journey. Stay tuned for more updates, and here’s to a successful Week 7!

❤️ Rajneesh