63MIX ROUTIN3S™ | MOLLY SEIDEL

9LIST ROUTIN3S | MOLLY SEIDEL: MORNING

1/ Coffee; the first thing I do when I get out of bed is head downstairs, put on the water to boil and grind up some coffee beans. I find that caffeine is one of the most effective ways to provide energy and focus before morning workouts, and even just the act of making coffee in my French press wakes me up. I’m a pretty big coffee snob too, and I love trying new beans and roasts

2/ KT Tape; Marathon training is hard, and with it can come some aches and pains. Before I run I need to prep my body, and one of the ways I address some of the less-than-great-feeling spots is by applying KT Tape.

3/ Run; Whether it’s for an easy run or a workout I’m running basically every single morning by 9am. Yes it’s my job, but it’s also what I enjoy doing most in the world. I’ll run twice per day, but the morning session is always the longer and more intense one, so it’s important I focus on what the goal for the day is and go in with a positive mindset to work hard.

9LIST ROUTIN3S | MOLLY SEIDEL: AFTERNOON

4/Lunch; After my morning workout I make sure to get in a HUGE brunch/lunch, since I usually can’t eat much before I run. This varies from day to day, but usually contains a lot of carbs and protein (think quinoa and chicken, rice and tempeh, or a big bowl of pasta). Since I’ll be running again later in the afternoon it’s important that this meal is nutritious and easily digestible so I can hit it hard again on my double.

5/ Meditation; Taking a bit of time to decompress and focus has been a game changer for me. I deal with OCD, and being able to step back, breathe deeply for 10-30 minutes, and reset a bit helps me go forward really productively into the rest of my day.

6/ Tea; I try to be conscious of the amount of caffeine I drink throughout the day, so I try to switch to black or green tea in the afternoon. My favorite is Milwaukee-based Rishi because they have amazing high-quality loose leaf tea that warms me right up and gets me going for my second training session.

9LIST ROUTIN3S | MOLLY SEIDEL: NIGHT

7/ Book; I love reading, and there’s nothing I love more than being able to relax and delve into a great novel in the evening after dinner. I’ve got pretty wide-ranging tastes but I lean towards literature. My favorites are Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 and Wind Up Bird Chronicle, but I’m currently re-reading Dune to celebrate the new movie coming out!

8/ Beer; As a Wisconsin native you could say that beer is just part of my culture, and there’s nothing I love more than enjoying a crisp Pilsner or hoppy IPA after a hard training day. Even when I’m prepping for a major marathon I leave room for a few drinks per week, and I include craft non-alcoholic beers like Athletic Brewing on nights I want to skip the alcohol. I also love going to breweries with friends, and it’s a great way to relax and get in some extra carbs!

9/ Bed; I’m not an excellent sleeper (hello insomnia!), so to make sure I’m getting the rest I need I try to practice good bed hygiene. This means giving myself a nice wind-down period and staying off my phone before bed, as well as going to sleep fairly early so I can be up and ready to do it all again the next day