Hello Runday!

And a Happy belated Mother’s Day to all our running Mom’s and Mom figures! While Mom’s should be celebrated every day, we hope the weekend was extra special.

Thanks everyone for being here!

YOU SPEAK AND WE LISTEN

Run for Fun Cruises

A great opportunity to experience the fun and adventure of a cruise while enjoying the vibe and energy of destination runs!

February 14th-21st, 2027
Caribbean Run For Fun Cruise

August 23rd-30th, 2027
Alaska Run for Fun Cruise

🚨🚨 Flyers and Price Sheets / Details here.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet…

Lindsey Botnen

With Every Step
Written by Kooper Shagena in the latest edition of Area Woman Magazine

❝

β€œβ€¦But Lindsey, just like every other regular person out there, can do hard things.”

Read her story here.

Want to share your story or nominate a community member? Share it with us!
KEEPIN’ IT REAL

Brought to you by Lindsay! A fabulous race pacer, writer and community member! And our esteemed contributing author here at Runday.

Lindsay brings a thoughtful, practical approach to life, running, wellness, and real-life training. The kind that meets you where you’re at and helps you keep showing up. We’re thrilled to have her sharing her insights with the community.

The Best Time to Exercise

By: Lindsay Paulson

This time of year, with all the extra daylight, has me thinking about something: when’s the best time of day to exercise?Β 

Early wake-up workout? Evening wind-down workout? It’s debated around social media and there are a lot of opinions, but I believe there’s only one correct answer.Β 

The best time to work out is when it works best for you. When you’re most energized, when it fits your schedule, when you can make it happen - that’s the best time to exercise.

ASK DOC

Are Super Shoes Actually Worth It?

By: Dr. Lizette Sunde, PT,

A researched-backed approach to your rehab, recovery and wellness.

Runner Question: Hey Lizette, I’m an experienced runner, running various distance races over the last 12 years. I’ve always switched between Brooks and Hoka’s over the years and typically don’t have foot problems.Β  Are super shoes worth the hype? Should I spend what seems like a ridiculous amount of money and get a Super shoe?

Dr. Sunde Response: Hey runner! Great question.

Yes… the carbon-plated β€œsuper shoes” are kind of a big deal if you’re chasing a PR/PB. (And honestly, they make a lot of runners feel like they suddenly unlocked cheat codes…as long as they’re comfortable.)

Studies have shown these fancy shoes can improve running economy by up to 4%. Translation? Your body uses less energy and oxygen to run the same pace. Basically, your legs get a tiny assist instead of feeling like cooked spaghetti at mile 8.

For a long time, people thought only fast elite runners got the benefit. Like, β€œSorry Susan, unless you’re running a 5-minute mile, no super shoes for you.” πŸ˜…

But newer research says recreational runners can benefit too.

A recent 2026 study by Bolliger and colleagues found that carbon-plated shoes improved running economy by about 2–3% even at slower paces like: 12:50/mile 10:45/mile, 9:10/mile and an 8:00/mile.Β  The runners in this Randomized Control Trial study even used up to 3.9% less oxygen while running.

So yes, even us normal humans who stop our watches at crosswalks can benefit from super shoes. πŸ‘

Happy Running,

Dr. Sunde

Got a question for Dr. Lizette Sunde? Hit the button below!

P.S. All questions will remain anonymous.

RUNNER’S HIGH

Short Shorts 5K @ Swing Barrel

Let’s get some sun on those thighs!

Short Shorts 5k is back at Swing Barrel Brewing Co. Short shorts optional… but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED!

πŸ“… Thursday, June 11, 2026
⏰ Race Starts at 7:00 PM
πŸ“Swing Barrel Brewing Co.

Each registration includes:
🍺 ONE FREE drink
πŸ‘• Official 2026 SHORT SHORTS 5K Shirt
β˜• Commemorative Mug
🩳 Plus the option to purchase one-of-a-kind custom SHORT SHORTS!

πŸ‘‰ SIGN UP NOW!

Click the image to register

COACH’S CORNER

Training Smarter for Races (without burning out)

By: Coach Branden Scheel

Part 3 of a new 3-part series to keep you healthy, motivated and ready to perform when it matters most.

Most athletes don’t burn out because they aren’t working hard enough, they burn out because they’re not training smart. The goal isn’t to do more, it’s to do what matters, consistently, while staying healthy and motivated all the way to race day.

Consistency Always Wins

One big workout doesn’t make you fit. Consistent training does.

  • Show up week after week

  • Avoid big spikes in volume or intensity

  • Focus on stacking solid days together

The athlete who trains consistently will always outperform the one who relies on occasional big efforts.

Hire a Coach

One of the smartest ways to avoid burnout and maximize performance is having a coach. A coach brings structure, feedback, and constant adjustment based on your life and how you’re responding to training.

  • Structured, progressive planning

  • Adjustments based on fatigue, stress, and life

  • Feedback and accountability

  • Fine-tuning your approach as you grow

A good coach doesn’t just write workouts, they help you train smarter, stay consistent, and reach your potential without unnecessary setbacks.

Final Thought

Training smarter comes down to balance, progression, recovery, quality work, and consistency. Get those right, and you don’t just get fitter, you stay healthy, motivated, and ready to perform when it matters most.

Do less, but do it better.

Branden Scheel is a Fargo-born professional triathlete and endurance coach, former Division I runner at NDSU, and two-time marathon champion. He now competes in IRONMAN events and coaches athletes of all levels, sharing practical insights in Coach’s Corner.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Peak Form: Mind, Muscles & Meals for Young Runners

Ready to level up your running β€” both on and off the course?

Peak Form is an interactive seminar built specifically for high school runners who want to improve performance, build confidence, and better understand what it takes to compete at their best.

Led by three experienced professionals, this event will cover:
🧠 Mental preparation & handling race anxiety
πŸ’ͺ Strength training for speed, durability, and endurance
πŸ₯— Nutrition strategies to fuel performance and recovery

Athletes will walk away with practical tools, real-world advice, and actionable strategies they can immediately apply to training, racing, and everyday life.

Whether you’re chasing a PR, preparing for your next season, or simply wanting to become a stronger, healthier athlete β€” this seminar is for you.

⚠️ Limited to 50 seats.

πŸ“… Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 @ 1pm.
πŸ“ Location: 1400 25th St S, Moorhead, MN 56560

πŸ‘‰ Register here

Got an event, meetup and group you’d like to share with the community? Tell us more.

RUNNER’S POLL

Will you be participating in Fargo Marathon weekend?

Login or Subscribe to participate

Poll Results Are In…

Thank you for your feedback on your favorite section of the Runday Newsletter in our last edition!

We want this to be driven by you and your feedback, so you might see some changes around here. What won’t change is our goal to keep this community and people first!

That’s it for this week.

Leaving you with evidence of a mad dash to the donut line! Thanks for bringing the energy!

Jeremy & James

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