I recently refreshed my frontend and React skills and decided to build a small web app. The app of choice has been a “Jean Dubost Laguiole Set of 6 Steak Knives in Block,” inspired by this everyday object in my kitchen.

When I unload the dishwasher and put the knives back in the block, I always try to find nice patterns that are allowed and avoid patterns that aren’t. Unallowed patterns are mainly just pretty random placements of knives in slots without thinking about the whole block (yes, I know what you’re thinking right now).

Anyway, this medium post is about my experience building the app, what I’ve learned, and, hopefully, some ideas for future experiments.

TL;DR

If you want to skip ahead and see the results, please look at the app’s public GitHub repo and the GitHub pages hosting the build.

Setup

The first thing I did was instinctively create a new React app locally using the create-react-app project. This happened two months ago, in September. Today (November 21, 2024), I’ve realized that create-react-app was deprecated in 2023. So, the first lesson learned is to always read the official documentation before starting any venture. This was not a big deal in this case, but still.

Then, since I’m a big fan of Prettier, I enabled Prettier, cleaned up the unnecessary parts of the CRA boilerplate, and started playing with the app.

The app engine

I wanted to use TDD to build my app, as it is a fantastic way to let the design emerge from the tests. However, I wasn’t sure where I was going in this case, so I started hacking with the React front end and added very few tests here and there.

I ended up just cluttering the main `App.js` file, creating and deleting a bunch of pure JavaScript files that, in my mind, would have been used to implement the main business logic.

However, I started to become more familiar with the testing ecosystem used by React by including more React testing library components in my app.

ESLint

It took me too long to remember I should have added ESLint to my project. I love it very much to keep things organized and, most importantly, consistent code quality.

DDD

At this point, I realized I wasn’t going anywhere, so I forced myself to start building the app from the domain before hacking with the UI.

I know what you’re thinking: “With DDD and a testing first approach, you’ve been able to build the most beautiful and perfect app ever.”

Well, not really. Far from it. As you can see here, the “DDD” PR’s main accomplishment was to settle with a React app using a `useReducer` hook in the top-level component and a bunch of stateless dumb components to encapsulate the concepts of Blocks, Knives, and Slots.

Was starting to think about the domain the reason why I ended up modularizing the React app the pivotal moment for me? Perhaps. But in this case, I realized how easier it is to lean on the framework (in this case, React) instead of being pure and writing just JavaScript and then putting the two things together (I wonder if that makes sense).

GitHub Pages

When the app was almost ready, I decided to deploy it using GitHub pages (a great product and tool) so that I could play with it on my phone.

New feature: Reset

I implemented a reset button that starts the knives in block canvas anew every time the button is pressed. This is a handy feature, especially when you’re still building the app. I always enjoy doing some live QA.

The business logic (1st iteration)

Up to this point, the app was very dumb. You could place the knives in every slot without getting any error or acknowledgment that the pattern used was denied or allowed. This iteration added the logic that would toggle the state of the block from light gray (in progress) to red (error) to green (allowed).

Building this part was the most fun part. This was a single JavaScript function entirely built using TDD.

From an API perspective, the Block component containing the six slots in which knives can be placed had a border property computed by a `computeBorderColor` function, to which the entire set of slots (in and out of the block) was passed to determine which border color to return.

<ul
  className={classNames(type)}
  style={{ borderColor: computeBorderColor(state.slots) }}
>

Internally, the `computeBorderColor` would perform map-reduce operations against the provided dataset.

Refactoring

Because I was able to encapsulate the business logic in a single JavaScript function and managed to thoroughly test the app (the code coverage is almost 100%), I’ve decided to refactor it to make it more modular and easier to read (and potentially evolve). The main achievement here was extracting another component from the main `App.js` file into its own.

The business logic (2nd iteration)

The `computeBorderColor` still needed to handle error patterns, which I named small X and big X, where colors would be “crossed,” resulting in patterns not allowed for my personal aesthetic.

An example of a small X is when you have the following situation:

// | b | t | — |

// | t | b | — |

In this scenario, b is blue, and t is turquoise. In my mind, the two lines, the one above and the one below are not ordered.

Similarly, an example of a big X is when you have the following situation:

// | b | — | w |

// | w | — | b |

B is blue, and w is white in this case.

The result

I like how the app looks and, most importantly, the final result from a code perspective. React is a fun technology, and I’m always happy when I have the chance to play with it for a bit. Building it reminded me how much I like the Redux pattern to build state-driven UI and how easy it is to test React apps fully with React testing libraries, Jest, and snapshot testing. To call it done, I think I should list out the “rules” of which ones are the allowed patterns and which ones aren’t, but I also think it’s “nice” to find that out by just playing with it.

What’s next

Now that I have discovered that create-react-app is no longer supported, I would like to experiment with a recommended project to build React apps in 2024. A cool idea would be to find another everyday object and build an app to simulate it. Looking around at my desk, I can see a Rubik’s cube, but I don’t think I am interested in building a simulator for it; it’s too complicated, and I can already feel frustrated just thinking about it.

Do you like building apps using React? What apps do you like to build with it? Do you have any ideas for other objects to simulate or thoughts on building React apps? Please share them in the comments.

Disclaimer: No AI tool has been used to build this app. Every mistake has been proudly made by a human.

Two weeks ago, I laced up my running shoes and joined over 55,000 runners in the largest marathon in history: the TCS 2024 New York City Marathon. Reflecting on that day fills me with joy, gratitude, and a hint of unfinished business.

The evening before the race was all about preparation and nourishment. I had gluten-free penne with a veggie sauce and Parmigiano. After laying out my gear and preparing what to wear, I set my alarm for 4:00 a.m. Thanks to the end of daylight saving time, I was gifted an extra hour of sleep, a blessing I didn’t fully capitalize on. As usual, before a race, my sleep was restless; I checked the clock every couple of hours.

I woke up to half a cup of tea with oat milk and plenty of water. I wore my running attire beneath a warm tracksuit I’d purchased to donate before the race, and I was ready to face the chilly morning. My wife drove me to the Staten Island Ferry terminal in Manhattan, and we arrived by 5:15 a.m.

After a brief 15-minute wait, I boarded the ferry to Staten Island. The ride provided a perfect opportunity for a 15-minute meditation session, allowing me to center myself in the middle of the buzzing energy of fellow runners. Once we docked, we walked to the buses designated to take us to the starting villages. The drive took us longer than expected; the bus driver got lost. But it was a detour that everyone took well, perhaps because the warmth of the bus was a welcome break from the cold.

At the start, I discovered the “Zen Zone,” a tranquil area for meditation and mindfulness. I spent almost an hour there, meditating and relaxing before the race. It was a serene contrast to the excitement building outside.

By 8:30 a.m., announcements rang out that Corral One was opening. I made my way over, joining a sea of runners all eager to begin. We moved towards the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the iconic starting point of the marathon. At exactly 9:10 a.m., the starting gun fired. It took me about two minutes to cross the starting line, and then I was off.

The morning was cold but brilliantly sunny. The energy was palpable, with thousands of runners. Running across the Verrazzano was an exhilarating experience: the views, the collective enthusiasm, the realization that the journey had truly begun.

The first 5K flew by in 24 minutes and 44 seconds, faster than my planned pace. The adrenaline, the cold air, and the collective momentum kept me fast. I spent the next 10K scanning the crowd for my wife and friends, but due to a glitch in the race tracking app, they thought I had already passed by the time they reached 4th Avenue.

Between the 10K and 15K marks, we ran along Lafayette Avenue, right past our yoga studio. This stretch was my favorite part of the race. The streets were lined with golden-leaved trees, and even though I didn’t see any familiar faces, the atmosphere was electric. I was still maintaining a good pace, hitting the 15K mark at 1:14:57.

Entering Williamsburg and then Greenpoint, the race took on a different vibe. Williamsburg was surprisingly quiet, a contrast to the lively neighborhoods we’d just passed through. Crossing the Pulaski Bridge into Queens, I reached the halfway point at 1:46:44.

The Queensboro Bridge was a challenge. The incline tested my stamina, and I could feel my pace beginning to slow. By the time I was ascending 1st Avenue towards the Bronx, approaching the 30K mark, fatigue was setting in. My split at 30K was 2:41:09.

The 30K to 35K segment took us through the Bronx via the Willis Avenue Bridge and back into Manhattan over the Madison Avenue Bridge. My legs were heavy, and my pace had noticeably decreased. Re-entering Manhattan, we hit 5th Avenue and approached Central Park.

Despite the physical toll, I found joy in this portion of the race. The crowds were incredible, and the autumn scenery of Central Park provided a beautiful background. Around the 38K mark, I finally spotted my wife cheering me on. Seeing her was the boost I very much needed.

The final kilometers took us around Central Park South, up West Drive, and finally to the finish line. I crossed it at 4:01:05. I had done it. I ran the New York City Marathon. A wave of emotions washed over me: joy, relief, a hint of disappointment over missing my sub-4-hour goal, but mostly gratitude for the experience.

Post-race, I changed into fresh clothes, reunited with my wife and our friend, and returned to Brooklyn. The walk from Atlantic Terminal to our home in Clinton Hill was a cool-down of sorts. After a much-needed shower, I relaxed on the couch and enjoyed a simple dinner of basmati rice and roasted veggies.

This was my tenth marathon, and remarkably, it was the one during which I experienced the least physical pain during training, the race, and recovery. I attribute this to my Ashtanga yoga practice. Incorporating yoga into my training regimen made a significant difference. By Tuesday, I was back at our shala, practicing Mysore-style yoga. While the first few sun salutations were a bit stiff, I managed to complete half of the Primary Series.

Yoga enhanced my flexibility and strength and expedited my recovery. I wholeheartedly recommend yoga to fellow runners; it’s a game-changer.

I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to run the New York City Marathon and for the support of friends and family who cheered me on, both in person and from afar. The event’s organization was impeccable, and the city’s spirit was on full display.

With the marathon behind me, I’m already thinking about what’s next. I can’t let a four-hour-and-one-minute finish be the final chapter of my marathon journey. There are lessons learned and room for improvement.

Which marathon would you recommend I run next? How was your New York City Marathon experience? Did yoga or any other cross-training help with your preparation? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories.

Thank you, New York City, for an unforgettable race. Here’s to the next adventure on the road ahead.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024, marks five days until the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. In this post, I will share a list of things I’ve done in preparation for the race, but in a checklist fashion, so I can also share what hasn’t been ticked off from that list.

• [x] Training for the race: According to my calendar, I completed 13.5 out of 16 weeks of training (assuming that tomorrow and Friday, I will do my runs), which is 84% of the overall plan.
• [x] Select the kit for the race: no fancy hats or costumes, I’m afraid. Running shorts, a gray long-sleeve layer 1, a black T-shirt, white socks, and my current running shoes. Very likely, I will also wear a hat.
• [x] Read the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon website instructions for the race week and, most importantly, the race day. It is a very important part of preparing for a race, especially for these humongous events.
• [x] Maintain consistent Ashtanga practice during the training. I managed to do that. I found it highly beneficial for keeping my body in check. My acupuncturist, physical therapist, and chiropractor confirm that my body is in good shape despite the training.
• [x] Have a fuel and hydration strategy. During the race, I will drink water whenever I can. I will also bring energy gels and electrolytes.
• [ ] Run with music. As suggested by the organizers, I will not run with music for this marathon. I will enjoy the cheering stations and the crowd along the way. I want to run this race as mindfully as possible and enjoy every minute.
• [x] Prepare a spreadsheet with my predicted time at each mile and share it with friends and family. It’s not fancy, and the prediction is linear, but I think it’s good enough. Hopefully, it is not too off.
• [ ] Drive the race route. This is my first New York City Marathon, but this could also be an excellent opportunity to be “surprised” and distracted during the race.
• [x] Enjoy the journey to the starting line. This is the most essential item, and I’m happy I can tick it off this list.

The next post will likely be after the race. I cannot wait to run and report back on my experience. Is there anything specific you would like to see me cover in the next post?

If you, like me, are preparing for the race, I wish you good luck. If you are not, please think about us waking up super early next Sunday morning, taking off from Staten Island after 9:00 AM, and, if everything goes well, arriving in Central Park after 26.2 beautiful miles.

A few weeks ago, my wife and I went to a beautiful yoga retreat in Menla hosted by Bibi and Alex from the Newburgh Yoga Shala. When I booked the retreat back in February 2024, I didn’t know I would run the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon (I’m not sure if I would have if I had known), and so I found myself wondering where I could run the long 20-mile run on Saturday, November 5, 2024.

So, I was really happy that when I Googled “runs around Phoenicia” (the closest town to Menla), the Ashokan Rail Trail was at the top of the list.
It’s a 22.2-mile back-and-forth trail path with mostly paved surfaces that follow the north side of the Ashokan reservoir.

I was at the trailhead early that Saturday morning, at 6:30 a.m. It was still dark, but the sky was beautifully clear and starry. I decided to wait another 15 minutes so that I could see the path. When I took off, it was the beginning of sunrise. The air was cooler and definitely clearer than the one in Brooklyn. Nobody was there except me. I put some music on, had an energy gel and a sip of water, started the watch, and started my run. This has been one of the few instances where I wish I had my phone to take pictures. It has been just a beautiful run in nature. The light, the trees, the foliage, the lake, everything was just beautiful.

I encountered runners, bikers, and people walking with their dogs and families, but I was mostly alone. Even the music dying after 30 minutes because there is apparently no cellular signal on that path did not spoil the run. Actually, it made me appreciate it even more.

It took me 3 hours and 10 minutes to run 33 km (~20 miles), and by the end, I wasn’t feeling too bad. The pace is still not great, and I guess that by now, I need to accept that I may end up closing the NYC marathon in 3 hours 45–3 hours 55 (hopefully not 4 hours, please).

After 20 km, my legs start to get very stiff and heavy. That’s why I’ve finally decided to order some electrolyte capsules and see if they can help me with that sensation. I’ll likely report back on this in the next post.

Anyway, I enjoyed the Catskills run very much. It was definitely a different one, not only because of the scenery but also because of the long weekend and the Yoga retreat. The Yoga retreat “container” allowed me to disconnect and recharge. We practiced yoga (ashtanga and Yin) and meditated.

I think that mindfulness meditation and running share many similarities. I’m fairly new to meditation practices, but for me, the focus on the present moment, the rhythm and breathing, the mind-body connection, the mental (and physical) endurance and patience, and the flow state (this is mainly for running, as far as my experience goes) are a few of the similar qualities that come to mind.

The Yoga retreat and this particular run made me remember why I love these two activities so much. They ultimately help me with stress relief and emotional balance. It’s 17 days to the starting line of the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. I got back into running specifically to prepare for this marathon. Still, I’m considering incorporating more running into my weeks even after the event when I am no longer preparing for a race.

I don’t need to run 20 miles to enjoy the benefits of this beautiful sport while still practicing Ashtanga yoga.

What are other sports that you practice that make you feel good as a runner or a yogi? What other combos are working for you?

Eight days ago, Sunday, September 22, 2024, I ran the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival’s Half-Marathon. It’s been a fantastic race; the scenic route around Schroon Lake is terrific, and the organization has been phenomenal.

Before starting the training for my marathon (I cannot believe it’s only five weeks away), I was still deciding which training plan to follow. I remembered that having used the Garmin Connect plan for my previous nine marathons, in which they have you race a half marathon on week 10 of your training, I started to look for half marathons not too far from New York City.

My wife helped me with the research and immediately spotted a race in Adirondack on Schroon Lake. It was within driving distance of Brooklyn, a beautiful and scenic race, and an opportunity for a long weekend with our dog.

So we booked the race and the Airbnb back in March.

Ultimately, I picked up a different training plan, but luckily, the new one had me run a Fast Finish Long Run: 14 to 16 miles (22 to 26km) total, with the last 6 to 8 miles at Goal Marathon Pace or faster. The half-marathon distance is, of course, slightly shorter but close enough.

It has been a great weekend.

We packed, picked up a rental car, had lunch, and took off on Friday. We were in Adirondack by dinner time, checked in, and had dinner in our Airbnb.

Saturday morning, I had a short run, did a little hiking in the area (there was a trailhead just right outside our Airbnb), had lunch at home, and visited the town of Schroon in the afternoon. There, I also got the bib and the half-marathon packet for the day after. In the evening, we went to the Pasta Dinner arranged by the ADK Marathon’s organizers.

It was race day on Sunday. I woke up at 6, had coffee at home (an oat milk cappuccino with Kimbo coffee), and then my wife dropped me off at the starting point at 8:15 a.m., where I took a shuttle to the half-marathon starting line. I was there by 9:00. I had some time to kill since the race started at 10:00, but the view of the lake and the nice temperature made the waiting pleasant.

The race itself was great. I maintained a pace of 4:59 mins/km, pretty much for the entire run. It went unexpectedly well. My training pace has been consistently slower, and frankly, I constantly feel heavy legs (the positive note is that the breathing part feels good). Maybe thanks to the excitement for the race (my last was Sunday, April 24, 2022, the Brooklyn Half Marathon), maybe because the temperature was perfect, perhaps because I took advantage of all the aid stations for water, I finished the half marathon in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

My wife and our dog were waiting for me at the finish line. I had some more water and a banana, and then we headed home to enjoy lunch in our Airbnb’s outdoor area. Then, we just relaxed in the afternoon and evening.

Monday morning, I went for an easy run, during which I enjoyed the view of the lake more than the day before during the race. We had lunch, then packed and took off to Brooklyn (a circa 5-hour drive).

Some observations from the race:

• I hoped to finish the race in 1 hour and 45 minutes, but I was not confident I could have done that given my current marathon training.
• The half-marathon race was beautiful, wonderfully well-organized, and highly recommended.
• I felt good along the course, where I could appreciate nature, the people, and the volunteers cheering us on.
• I feel slower compared to a couple of years ago.
• This week’s training confirmed that feeling.
• However, I managed to run 22 miles this past Saturday, and even though the pace was really slow, I didn’t suffer too much.
• I am very excited about the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, and depending on the next couple of long runs, I will reassess my target time in the next couple of weeks.

How is your 2024 TCS New York City Marathon training going? Where did you run your week 10 training’s half-marathon race? Have you ever run the ADK half-marathon? Are you getting excited about the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon? I’d love to hear about your training journeys or any tips you have for tackling marathon challenges.

It’s been a minute since my last post. Today’s article focuses on sharing some new things I’ve done and tried in the past few weeks and some observations based on my new marathon training for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon.

First and foremost, thanks to my wife, I’ve realized I can stream audio to my AirPods from my Apple Watch. It was both an Eureka and a Duh moment. I’m so happy I no longer have to carry my iPhone 14 during my runs. It’s such a great relief. I was a massive fan of the (very old) iPod shuffle. Its portability and battery life were outstanding. The Apple Watch is a great alternative; I need to test how it does on runs substantially longer; for now, the maximum time I’ve run with it has been 2 hours. When I returned home, the battery was still 58% full, which gave me hope. And yes, it was full when I left for the run.

Another exciting thing I’ve tried was to breathe only through my nose in one of my most recent easy runs. It was 50 minutes long, and I need to say that despite the uncomfortable and almost suffocating sensation, my performance was not bad at all. Actually, my heartbeat was lower than the previous time I ran the same distance, breathing from my mouth. The dataset is obviously too small to reach some conclusion, but this Medium post and the book “Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor inspired me to find out more about mouth vs. nose breathing.

Today, I ran a speed workout with 5x 800m at a fast pace (I tried to keep my 5k pace) and some final strides at the end. I kind of liked it. I suffered more the 800 meters than the strides, not just because of the length but also because of the feeling of heaviness on my legs. This is something I will keep observing in the next runs as well.

Finally, I’m noticing that my yoga practice is getting worse in terms of flexibility (or the lack thereof, I should say) and also upper body strength. it may be a function of doing yoga less but also running more, and by doing so, making my body stiffer. Again, the sample is pretty small as I’ve been practicing yoga and running more consistently just in the past 2 weeks, but I think, in this case, I can see how the two activities are impacting each other. Running is probably benefitting from yoga, while yoga is certainly negatively impacted by running. I can tell you that practicing yoga as a runner is not quite the same as practicing yoga as a non-runner.

I still feel that this is a wonderful experiment, and I am very excited to have started this journey. I have learned and observed so many wonderful things in the past weeks, and I cannot wait to learn and experience more in the next ten weeks until the marathon.

Have you experienced or tried anything new during your marathon training? What are the most interesting experiments that have had a positive impact on you?

As some of you know, I’m gearing up for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. However, the past few weeks haven’t gone exactly as planned. In Week I, I was recovering from a procedure and couldn’t run. Last week, from 07/29 to 08/04, I faced another setback with pneumonia, keeping me off the track entirely.

Despite these challenges, I’m keeping a positive outlook. I took the time to enjoy the Olympics and give my body the needed rest. This morning, I finally got back on my feet with a 50-minute easy run. I felt good, kept a steady pace, and, most importantly, had no chest pain or coughing.
Here’s my plan for the upcoming week:

• Tuesday: 1-hour Ashtanga Yoga class (or Mysore-style practice)
• Wednesday: 50-minute Easy Run
• Thursday: Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga practice
• Friday: 45-minute Easy Run
• Saturday: 1 hour 40-minute Long Run (might cut it shorter if needed)
• Sunday: Rest day

I’m excited about the week ahead and hopeful for smoother training sessions. Here’s to many miles and fewer interruptions.

I’m finally starting my marathon training, beginning in Week 2. The reason for the slight delay is that I had a procedure on July 12, 2024, and I initially thought I’d be fit to start my training on the following Monday, July 15. I didn’t anticipate needing as much recovery time as I did, but it’s all good now; there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be training for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

But this post isn’t just about my delayed start (though I’m not complaining). It’s about music and new beginnings.

The title of this post is inspired by a beautiful album by Oasis, an album I listened to endlessly in high school. It’s a classic in my eyes. I usually listen to Oasis and Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds when I run, as their BPM matches my running style (and I love Britpop).

Recently, I watched a YouTube video in which Noel discussed this album. I learned the story behind its name and decided to start my training by listening to this album during my first easy run next Monday morning.

I was thrilled with both the album and the run: a 50-minute easy run from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to Kent and Franklyn in Williamsburg and back. It was a pleasant surprise to start with such a nice, easy, but not too short run. Week 2 is shaping up to be interesting, with two Easy Runs, one Hill Workout, a Long Run, two Recovery Days (where I’ll practice Ashtanga), and a Rest Day (where I might do some yoga, though I’m not entirely committed yet).

I’m excited to finally start this training. I’ll update you on how the week goes, how the runs and yoga sessions unfold, and how I feel about this slightly delayed beginning.

Do you listen to music when you run? If so, what kind of music? If not, why not? What do you focus on during your runs?

I still need to start my marathon training, but I’m gradually increasing my weekly runs. I’ve added two 30-minute sessions on Mondays and Fridays and extended my Saturday long runs by 5 minutes each week. Last Saturday, I ran for 65 minutes, totaling 125 minutes for the week.

I’ve always had minor lower back and neck pain and have been warned that running might worsen it due to the impact on my spine. Yoga has improved my posture, so I’ve started focusing on my foot landing and impact absorption during runs. With its natural curves, the spine acts like a spring to absorb impact, but the feet also play a crucial role. Landing on your heels makes the spine absorb more impact.

Ten years ago, my coach, Alex Rahim, advised me to aim to run a marathon on the balls of my feet. It took a decade for his advice to resonate with me. Now, I pay close attention to which part of my feet lands first. Running on the balls of my feet helps eliminate unnecessary breaks in my stride and reduces stress on my spine.

Initially, changing my ingrained running patterns was challenging. However, yoga, a break from running, and remembering my coach’s advice have helped me run more efficiently and, hopefully, keep my spine healthier.

What adjustments have you made to your running form, and how have they impacted your performance or injury prevention?

I’ve finally decided to go with the McMillan New York Marathon Level 3 Intermediate 16-Week running plan to prepare for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. A friend uses their plans for his marathons and ultras, so I’ve decided to take his advice and get one for myself. The plan for the marathon is well structured; I’m using week six as an example:

As you can see in the image above, it has one rest day and two recovery days, which I will likely use to continue my Ashtanga Yoga practice.

Given that the marathon is Sunday, November 3, 2024, I should start the plan on Monday, July 15, 2024. However, I’ve decided to shift the whole plan to one day before and begin on Sunday, July 14, 2024, so that I can have the rest day on Sunday and the two recovery days on Tuesday and Thursday to practice Mysore at The Shala Yoga in Fort Green with my teacher, Sherry Russell. While training for the marathon, I will miss practicing Ashtanga with my teachers, Barbara Verrochi and Kristin Leigh. However, I will take Vinyasa classes with them on Mondays and Fridays when I have, according to the plan, Easy Runs.

So, to recap, starting from Sunday, July 14, 2024, one typical week will look like this:

• Monday: Easy Run + Vinyasa Class (optional)
• Tuesday: Ashtanga
• Wednesday: “Special” Run
• Thursday: Ashtanga
• Friday: Easy Run + Vinyasa Class (optional)
• Saturday: Long Run
• Sunday: Rest Day

This is a good and balanced plan, I believe. I have a half marathon scheduled for Sunday, September 22, and a yoga retreat at the beginning of October. This plan is flexible enough to adapt to these “events” and hopefully prepare me for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon.

I forgot to mention that I evaluated other plans (and also bought a couple of books), but then I decided to “be lazy” and buy a prepared plan. In the image below, you can see the other options that I have considered.

Have you used a McMillan training plan before? Are there better options for Ashtanga practitioners? What do you think about only two Mysore practices per week? I don’t know how running will impact my yoga practice and vice versa. So far, with one or two runs a week, my yoga practice feels great, and I enjoy my runs very much. I know this will change during the marathon training, but for now, I’m super excited about the running plan, and I cannot wait to start with the official training.