The moments before the run are big. Monumental, even. I argue, the most important part. They're slightly anxious, a little excited, and often hesitant. During those give-or-take 30 seconds where you’re debating initiating the actual effort, oftentimes you encounter some sort of minuscule annoyance, like the fact that your watch isn’t picking up a GPS signal or perhaps a wonky, unsettled feeling in your right knee. In these moments, you make the valuable, conscious decision to do something for you. To believe in your own potential. You accept whatever comes with the miles and minutes that follow. It’s a bold act, to open yourself up to the beauty that can come hand-in-hand with wanting to take this time for yourself. I'm talking about this for today's 5-MINUTE FRIDAY.

PROMPT: What was the last time you had to psych yourself up to do something? How did it feel once that big to-do was done?

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WATCH: FRIENDS with Nick Dio BUY: The Perfect Bike Shorts Lululemon Align 6-inch ($58), Athleta Elation Short ($59), Under Armour Meridian ($60), Nike One Bike Short ($40) LISTEN: “Catching Up With Chris Heuisler” on the “Ali on the Run Show” DONATE: Rest Up Tommy, We’ll See You Soon on GoFundMe

GIVEAWAY: WHOOP + 6-Month Membership Last week’s Season 3 premiere giveaway winner Haylee graciously offered to split up her winnings and donate the WHOOP to another lucky Hurdler. FYI: I wear my WHOOP, a wrist-worn heart rate monitor, religiously, to track everything from my sleep quality and patterns to activity and recovery. So! We’re back for more! Want your very own WHOOP? Comment on this post with the answer to this week’s prompt above. I’ll announce the winner in next Friday’s Weekly Hurdle (7/31).

Subscribe to the Weekly Hurdle, here.

SUPPORT THE SPONSORS: For a complete list of Hurdle’s sponsors, their respective vanity URLs, and discount codes — click here.

REGISTER: Hurdle Sessions This month I launched Hurdle Sessions: New online seminar programming, aiming to provide Hurdlers with education surrounding topics I’m well-versed in as a veteran journalist, entrepreneur, and run coach. This week, we covered “Intro to Freelance Writing,” which is now available for purchase on the Hurdle website and raised $750 (!) for The Loveland Foundation. Coming up on August 4 is “How to Start (and Stay!) Running.” Each Hurdle Session includes downloadable materials and a charitable donation.