Below Average Running

Below Average Running because you don't have to be fast to run

09/06/2026

& that’s a wrap on week 13!!

33 miles this week!! Whew!!

Week 14 is a much needed deload week before peak week!

Just 5 more weeks of hard work left!!

& plz enjoy Bodhi & kilo, my little angel muffins

*I am following a plan from you can use code belowaveragerunning for 2 free weeks*

09/05/2026

The run that I so desperately needed!!!

It has been so frustrating for most of this training block to be struggling most runs to try and even hit any kind of pace that I need to hit. Even shorter speed workouts. I’m lucky if I’m on the slow end of what pace I need to be at. Obviously, I’m not doing a whole long run speed workout, but I’ve done long runs with speed Work thrown in and I’m not even close to the pace that I have to hit.

I have a big goal for Chicago and I only set that goal based off of previous efforts so I know it’s obtainable, but I know it will be very difficult for me to do it. My confidence to hit that goal has been pretty low because of how training’s been going.

I understand everyone struggles with summer, marathon training and then come the race. Everything’s fine but I’ve never trained for a fall marathon before so I was having a really hard time. Trusting the process and tonight finally showed me that I’m doing everything right and it’s gonna be OK.

AUGUST!!!88 miles !!Even with an entire week off of training, 88 miles isn’t to shabby!!! Everyday that passed I’m like ...
09/03/2026

AUGUST!!!

88 miles !!

Even with an entire week off of training, 88 miles isn’t to shabby!!! Everyday that passed I’m like your one day closer to cooler weather bc let me tell you I’m real sick of sweating like this & getting rained on.

ANYWAYS!!! Enjoy some August moments more than I did experiencing them!! (I’m being dramatic^)

09/02/2026

9/1/2020 a normal day of grad school & I had signed up for a half marathon as a way to force myself to exercise.

I wanted to document it and look back at my progress and I called it Below Average Running as a joke.

Fast forward, six years my life has completely changed. I am so grateful for everything that has happened to me because of the silly little video.

Thank you for following. Thank you for believing in BAR. And thank you for always supporting me. It means more than I could ever put into words.

Here’s to the next six years as we continue to grow the BAR community and continue to strive to make slow runners feel welcomed & showing others that you don’t have to be fast to run.

much love - Nicole Linn, founder of Below Average Running

6 years ago today, I filmed a tiktok video & I had no idea that it would change my life.There are no words to describe h...
09/01/2026

6 years ago today, I filmed a tiktok video & I had no idea that it would change my life.

There are no words to describe how amazing these last 6 years have been. I am truly so lucky & I never take a day for granted. BAR has given me once & a lifetime opportunities.

BAR has only grown to what it is today because of each and every one of you who have followed along & supported it. Every single one of you has helped to make the slower running community a safer & more welcoming place. Every single one of you have inspired another individual to try running even if their a little below average.

Thank you for supporting me & believing in BAR as much as I do.

It’s been an insane 6 years & Here’s to growing our community & continuing to embrace the pace.

Thank you for changing my life for good.

Much love, Nicole Linn, Founder of Below Average Running®️



PS our biggest merch sale of the year is going on from today 9/1 to 9/7! Code BAR20 at checkout💜🩵

08/31/2026

17 miles DONE!!!

17 is normally where I (briefly) mentally break in a marathon & usually is my most challenging long run of training BUT NOT THIS TIME!!

Nothing too special about this run but it went decent & way better than last weeks 16, could have done without the wet feet though😂

I keep telling myself your suffering now but come race day it’s gonna be cooler & no humidity. It’s all worth it. If I can survive 17 miles in a sauna I can survive any weather Chicago gives me!!

& grateful to have a friend training for the same race who is the exact same pace as me, makes it a little less sh*tty out there

One more big build week until a much needed deload! 18 mile long run on deck this weekend😤

08/31/2026

Week 12 of 18!!

Officially 6 weeks till Chicago & im starting to get real tired of this running thing😂 im excited for race day but I want it to be here already!!

Strong week & ready to dive into week 13 😤

*I am following a plan from Runna. You can use code BELOWAVERAGERUNNING for 2 free weeks if you want to try🩵💜*

08/30/2026

I’d rather get up & knock out my long run first thing in the weekend. I use Saturday to rest & recover # then Sunday I can sleep in & go do whatever I need to do for the weekend!

Let me know which do you prefer?!

You wanna know what’s really hard? Trying to jump like this after 17 miles. LONG RUN SATURDAY!!! 17 miles 😤Nothing reall...
08/29/2026

You wanna know what’s really hard? Trying to jump like this after 17 miles.

LONG RUN SATURDAY!!! 17 miles 😤

Nothing really crazy to say about this run. It went decent & way better than last weeks 16.

I do hate running in the rain but it’s better than baking here. 😂 started in high humidity with a heat index of 94°. At the half way point, got poured on which means wet feet🤢 paces were somewhat consistent & stomach was working more in my favor today.

Overall, a solid run & I’ll take it. 2 big long runs left, 18 next weekend & the big 20 later in Sept. let’s keep building & working.

I’m running the Chicago Marathon in 43 days & I have the honor of running for American Cancer Society.
I wanted to say the biggest thank you to everyone who donated to The American Cancer Society on my run today. Amanda, Georgina, Rachel, Shawna, Gwendolyn, Meghan, Kerri, Erin, Lorena, Stacie, Arnetta, & Glenda. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, it means more than I could ever put into words.

If you would like to donate to ACS, the link is in my bio.

Until next weeks 18 miler🩵💜

08/28/2026

Unfortunately this is not a new thing for me. I do tend to get very anxious going into race day or various hard runs. I put a lot of pressure on myself & I really get in my head about things.

This 14 miler really messed with my head. I knew I’ve done so many 14 milers but it had been a while since I last did one & 14 really isn’t even that big of a long run when you think about the entirety of marathon training. I’m not sure exactly why this one was psyching me out so much.

When this happens to me, I do everything I can to set myself up for success, hydration, carb loading, rest, trying to relax & breath etc. I know the run is coming regardless & I have to at least try. Luckily this run was a strong run but I’ve had this anxiety before & it could be one of the worst runs of my life. (Just depends on the day).

I want to remind you that this feeling happens to a lot of us. You may not see it often (don’t except another post like this from me) but it happens even with professionals. As humans we are our own biggest critic and strive to always become better. The pressure of that can be overwhelming.

Set yourself up for success, protect your peace, & at least go and try the things that scare you bc you may suprise yourself.

Last thing, this is why I’m hesitant to share my Chicago goal time bc I have a history of absolutely breaking down due to the pressure that I feel when I set such a large goal. I am torn between sharing & completely protecting my peace on it.

With that, I feel good going into 17 tomorrow LOL

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