THREE on Memorial Day: Step off the figurative treadmill and pause

Memorials remind us of events, memories, or people deserving our pause and recognition. For some of you, the “memorial” part of this holiday might have an accompanying name or a face. For all of us, this weekend is an opportunity to pause.

My brother John went to graduate school in Washington, D.C., and we enjoyed going for runs around the National Mall when I’d visit. My favorite was the route from the U.S. Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial because it had some nice dirt trails that ran alongside the pedestrian walkways. My knees thank me whenever I can avoid concrete and asphalt.  

Normally I’d be thinking about my stride, or lost in conversation, or trying to avoid stepping in a mud puddle, but something about the timeless monuments commands attention. Each speaks to a vision or ideal which transcends whatever is probably bothering you right now. John and I would pause at the monuments so he could catch his breath, but the magnitude of it all was truly breathtaking (He’d been spending too much time studying law and not enough time running).  

Pausing is more conspicuous when you’re tired from running and find yourself standing at the base of a giant, marble Abraham Lincoln. It’s a less-obvious action when consumed by day-to-day preoccupations.

Memorials are reminders that we, myself included, can get so caught up in ourselves that we forget we’re part of something much bigger. For just a moment this weekend, step off the figurative treadmill and enjoy a free minute in honor of those who sacrificed to afford that freedom.

Joe Maloy, 2016 U.S. Olympic Triathlete, Co-Founder and Editor-at-Large

• For many of us, a long weekend traditionally means we have an extra day to find a pool or some open water to squeeze in a swim workout. With so many beaches, gyms, and pools still closed, we’re sharing yet another dryland swim workout. This video focuses on stroke technique using a single resistance band.

• If you’ve had the tendency to scale back on workouts because your routine has been interrupted or you’re missing the accountability that came from training with friends or a coach, this Harvard assistant professor’s post may have you reconsider. Dr. Edward Phillips writes: “maintaining, or possibly increasing, your physical activity level seems even more important than usual in the face of this new coronavirus.” The doctor shares ideas for tiny-space workouts that can be done without access to your usual workout spots.

• A different dryland workout to consider comes from none other than THREE's resident Olympian, Joe Maloy, who demonstrates a plank pull-through in this YouTube video. Here, Joe is using a moderately-heavy weight (in this case zipping a trash bag filled with sand into a backpack) and pulling from side-to-side. Joe's secret? Keep your core and hips stable.

• Michael Phelps opened up to ESPN about the mental stress and strain being in quarantine has placed on him and his family. In a candid blog post and video posted earlier this week, Phelps said, “The pandemic has been one of the scariest times I’ve been through.” Phelps has previously spoken about his mental health issues and said he decided to speak about how the pandemic has impacted him in order to help others. “This is the most overwhelmed I’ve ever felt in my life,” he said. In the article, Phelps talks about some of the things he’s doing to cope, including early-morning training sessions and appreciating time with loved ones.

• Focusing on our mental game is something a sports psychologist who works with the U.S. Figure Skating national team says we should be doing now, more than ever. “It’s the one thing you do have some control over right now, because you don’t need special space,” Caroline Silby told Washington’s City Paper. “I think everyone is trying to find their way, and certainly we’re encouraging people to talk about the worries and concerns that we all have,” she said.

• In addition to sharing our gratitude on Memorial Day, this weekend traditionally marks the unofficial start of summer. What better way to kick off a backyard barbeque than with a classic guacamole dip? The Ritz-Carlton has a simple, four-step, 10-ingredient recipe that’s sure to impress your socially-distant friends.

• If you’re staying home, staying safe and missing the ability to take a trip on this holiday weekend, the National Park Foundation has a way for you to take a virtual visit to a national park. Head from the Virgin Islands to Crater Lake and parks in between on the National Park Foundation website.