Give Yourself Some (or a lot of) Credit: A 2026 Midsummer Check-In

"I have no doubt you could run that half-marathon, but I understand the hesitation." That note from her physical therapist is what Host Heather Caplan, RDN, needed to hear, and this episode is her passing it along to you. It's midsummer. Schedules are chaotic, training cycles are in-between, and sometimes the most useful thing a podcast can do is just pause and remind you: you've come further than you think.  In this solo episode, Heather reads a Substack essay she wrote in May after a long season of navigating plantar fasciitis, a hamstring tweak, a race she almost didn't run, and the slow, non-linear work of rebuilding. She reflects on why acknowledging the progress we've made is just as important as chasing the next goal. Whether you're in the middle of REDs recovery, returning from injury, navigating a hard training cycle, or just feeling like you're far from where you want to be, this one's for you! Resources mentioned: Lane 9 Substack - Friday morning notes on REDs, periods, nutrition, women's sports, and more Stephanie Flippen - Heather's running coach Nancy Boyd, DPT - Heather's physical therapist and Lane 9 Directory member Extra credit - If this episode hit home, here are a few ways to pay it forward: Send this episode to a friend who needs this message right now Leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; it genuinely helps more people find us Reach out and tell us what you're celebrating; we mean it! Email us at [email protected].  Connect + get support: Are you an athlete? Find a sports dietitian, DPT, therapist, or coach who understands athletes at lane9project.org/directory. Are you a clinician or coach? If this conversation resonated with you professionally, Lane 9 Membership was built for you. Join a community of dietitians, DPTs, psychologists, sports medicine providers, and coaches who are doing this work, and get listed in the Lane 9 Directory so athletes can find you. Future clinicians and coaches are welcome too. Follow us on Instagram and get in touch anytime!