‘ellooo runner! How’s your week been so far? Any good runs?

Today’s edition of RunLetters features a really lovely and inspiring documentary, a half marathon in Joshua Park, the perfect accessory to stay cool on summer runs, and moarrr. And if you’re new here, welcome! 👋

Before we dive in, a quick poll:

Alright… Voted? Did you? If so, let’s dive into this week’s edition! ⤵️

Does becoming a mom mean you have to lose yourself? Or can you be a better mom because you give yourself the freedom to move, exercise, and have time for yourself?

This short doc from Athletic Brewing Company isn't about being elite. It's not about training to be the fastest in the pack or running a crazy distance crossing a continent.

It's about Kaylin Goepper, taking it mile by mile, showing herself (and the world) what she's capable of. Ultra running is not just for those who can devote their entire life to logging miles.

A documentary that can inspire anyone. It’s also incredibly well produced. A lovely watch for this weekend.

Note: I feel like I need to add a little disclaimer here. Obviously, ultra running involves a higher cost than, say, running a 10k. You need more gear and nutrition, and depending on where you’re based, the entry fees are usually higher, too. But we can also overcomplicate things. It does not have to be mad expensive. Things can be bought secondhand. And especially during ultras, your nutrition doesn’t have to include gels (you can opt for bananas, sandwiches, dates, et cetera). You can choose a cheaper race. There are options.

Taylor Rockwell may call herself an everyday runner… but she’s arguably not (anymore), especially after recently running 100 miles completely self-organized with her friend Kitija. Hardly “average and everyday”, if you were to ask me.

Add on top of that that she did The Speed Project (running from LA to Las Vegas) this year and a whole bunch of other things, and you’ve got yourself an extraordinary girl.

Check out the whole ‘100 miles attempt’ on her Instagram. 10 × 10 mile loops. Videos of every lap.

What she is, though, is sprightly, bright, and bubbly. She seems fun, has her own style, and shows up as herself, which is something I always admire. She also got into MOAB 240, so we’ll undeniably see a lot of her training building up to that.

Taylor’s the kind of person you follow on Instagram today, and in a year from now you’ll say, “I followed her when she had ‘just’ 10k followers.” (at which point I’ll say: “You’re welcome”).

Thank me (and Taylor) later for brightening up your feed. Cheers 😉

Growing up in the Netherlands, I used to dream about a road trip along the west coast of America with my family. Not just the coastline, but all of it: Joshua Tree, Sequoia, all the way up to Tahoe and back.

The idea of landscapes that massive was almost incomprehensible. For those who don’t know, the Netherlands is small and pancake-flat, and almost every forest is man-made.

Anyway, if you, like me, have always wanted to explore these parks, and since you’re reading this… You may want to combine it with a run. Because we all know traveling gets even better when there’s some running involved.

So, here’s the answer: the Joshua Tree Half Marathon. A night race. You start at 6:00 PM in the Mojave Desert, just outside the national park in California, and run 13.1 miles through the dark. Twisted Joshua tree silhouettes all around you, deep desert canyons in the distance, coloured lights leading you to the finish line. Your headlamp is your best friend. The stars are your scenery.

Besides that, Vacation Races are known for their epic medals. This one looks incredible too.

The course itself is sandy trail (mostly dirt roads) with about 589 feet of elevation gain. It's challenging but runnable, and open to all abilities. The race takes place on November 7th, 2026. A very cool option to close out your racing season.

Current entry price is: $169. Not cheap. But a bucketlist one nonetheless. And…

Hot weather is here. Or at least it’s been this past week in pretty much all of Europe. I’m pretty sure many other countries have been the same.

And with summer on its way to the northern hemisphere, we’re bound to have more runs in the heat.

One of the best ways to battle the heat while out on a run is to wear an ice bandana.

This one above, from Precision Fuel and Hydration, has a zipped pouch to help spread the ice across your neck and back, whilst avoiding bouncing when you're on the move.

You’d fill it up before a long run. During races, you may be able to fill it at aid stations. Or, if you’re doing 2 loops from your car/house, you could have ice cubes ready in an insulated bottle to then throw in midway.

Other brands make similar bandanas too. Just search for “running ice bandana” and you’ll find a bunch!

I remember a time when everyone wanted Converse shoes to “pimp them” themselves. Seems like the R.A.D. UFO is the perfect shoe for reviving that inner-child artist (or give your pair to a friend who has an artistic hand, ha!).

RunLetters crossed the 3.2k subscriber mark this week. MADNESS. You are all amazing.

This little newsletter is slowly growing into an army of passionate runners. Some of us prefer 10ks on the road, others prefer 100 milers on the trail. Yet we are all connected through our love for the sport.

I strive to keep RunLetters your weekly curated top 5 of good vibes only. None of the running drama that you may bump into on your feed. Just the fun stuff. The things worth sharing. The things that will motivate you, inspire you, or simply make you smile.

That’s my promise to you.

Here’s to a great weekend ahead ☀️

Caroline

P.S. Last week, I shared a link to my free ultimate half marathon guide. But I shared the wrong link. Oopsss… Here is the correct link → click!