hrowing it back to one of the most unexpected breakthroughs of my running life: the Jack & Jill Marathon in Snoqualmie. If you’ve ever dreamed of a course that feels like nature whispering encouragement the whole way down the mountain, this one’s it.
The trail was stunning. Surrounded by evergreens. Cool air. A steady downhill that made running feel like flight. And the best part? The waterfalls you could hear before you ever saw them. Hidden, powerful, constant. It matched the entire vibe of that race: steady progress you don’t always see until you’re deep in it.
Jack & Jill gave me PRs in both the half and the full. But the bigger story was the training leading into it.
Block one brought me back to my pre-hysterectomy fitness.
Block two helped me tap into speed I hadn’t felt in years.
This is why I preach structure for Masters and menopausal athletes. Speed work isn’t punishment. It’s a skill. And when your hormones are no longer doing the recovery work behind the scenes, those intentional touches of speed matter more than ever. Short, controlled efforts build power, improve economy, and make endurance feel smoother.
People love to hate speed work, but honestly? It’s one of the tools that can completely change your running when it’s programmed well.
So I’m curious. Do you love it, tolerate it, or try to avoid it at all costs?
If you ever want help learning how to make speed work feel less like suffering and more like possibility, I’m your coach.