Flashback to late January. Temps have been hovering in the single digits. The streets are coated in ice. And, as is the case every morning during these harsh winter months, running does not sound appealing.
And yet, I go. Because, despite the weather, I still need the run.
With the Boston Marathon just a few weeks away, I don’t have time to make excuses. And because it’s Friday. And on Fridays I drive about 35 minutes north to meet my Whirlaway Racing teammates for a run and coffee. And this, alone, is enough to get me out of bed and moving. Yes, I get to meet up with Lauren, Erin and Katy for some miles, most of which I do solo during the winter. So having their company is definitely a treat.
But, what I’m most excited about is our post-run coffee after our run.
Together we sit, sip, relax and thaw out, all four of us coveting the hot drink that is warming our bones. For about an hour, we catch each other up on our weeks, tell funny stories, talk about training woes, encourage and support whoever needs it, plan next workouts and races, compare notes about our jobs, kids, and lives. All of it. And when we finally get up to leave, I am totally fulfilled by this simple yet wonderful experience. This is coffee.
For many reasons, I love coffee. I love the taste of it. I love the ritual of drinking it. I love the burst of energy it gives me during the day. And, as far as training and racing goes I love the way it enhances my running. So, imagine my surprise when I recently opened the New York Times and saw an article that breaks down the 10 nutrition lessons from 2025 to date with number one being that my morning coffee is directly correlated with healthy aging. Not that I need a good excuse to drink coffee. But this definitely doesn’t hurt.
Recently, coffee has been linked to many health benefits including reduced risks of various ailments such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, depression, Type-2 diabetes; even certain cancers including liver, melanoma and prostate. In this new study, which included more than 47,000 women, drinking coffee also led to lower cognitive impairment and lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and multiple sclerosis. Plus, coffee has been shown to improve mood, mental acuity, and performance. I mean, if all of this doesn’t make you stop what you’re doing and go fill up your mug, I don’t know what will.
Coffee has gotten a bad rap at times. People have claimed too much coffee, or more specifically caffeine, is not good for you for all sorts of reasons including, but not limited to, stomach issues, excessive jitters and sleeplessness. It’s also a diuretic so it results in the almost instant need to relieve the bladder which, as we all can likely attest, can often be super inconvenient. And while I won’t say that these side effects are not something to be wary of, I will say that coffee seems to be enjoying the limelight these days with a rock solid reputation for several reasons. Let’s just say, for me, the good outweighs the bad.
Let’s take it back a step, shall we? When I was little, we lived in Atlanta and it was common for us to drink coffee milk. No, I wasn’t saddling up to a double latte as a 5-year-old. My mom would give us a large cup of warm milk with about 2 sips of coffee in it. And it was delicious. So, is this what sparked my love for the drink? Probably.
Fast forward to high school. My friend Kate introduced me to the joys of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. We would get a medium with milk and sugar for $1.10 before school—every, single day. If the coffee milk laid the foundation for my addiction then my high school habit sealed my fate. And the rest, as they say, is history.
As I’ve gotten older it’s become less about the actual drink and more about the ritual. I’m up very early in the morning, often before light. Sitting with my morning latte is just so incredibly peaceful, and I look forward to it every night when my head hits the pillow. No matter what kind of day I’ve had, I know the next morning is going to be good. It’s a sure thing. And you can’t say that about a lot of things these days.
Turning on my coffee machine, yes it’s a fancy one, is the first thing I do after waking up and getting downstairs. Even my dogs know that they have to give me a moment to get things started before I focus on them.
My first cup is hot no matter what time of year it is. As I said, it’s a latte (a double if I’m being honest) made with plain old milk. Every sip is savored. And when it’s done, only then can I start my day, which almost always ensues in total chaos. Which I also love. I suppose you could say that my first cup is the proverbial calm before the storm. After that, I feel like I can tackle almost anything. It’s so simple it’s beautiful.
And now, I’m 50. A mom, with two amazing daughters, a high school cross country and track coach, and a competitive age group runner. And I drink two or three cups of coffee a day. Mainly because I like it and cherish that routine. But also, because I believe it undoubtedly enhances my performance as a runner—pre-run, during my run, and post-run. And the best part? It’s legal.
Improved Endurance and Speed: Caffeine can help runners go longer and faster by increasing fat burning, enhancing muscle power, and reducing the perceived effort of running.
Increased Alertness and Focus: Caffeine can fight fatigue and improve mental clarity which allows runners to stay more aware of their surroundings and maintain focus during their runs. This is why so many gels have caffeine in them now as the longer the run the more need for a caffeine boost.
Reduced Perceived Exertion: Caffeine can make runs feel less difficult, potentially allowing runners to push harder and achieve better performance. And let’s be honest, if the mind is tricking us into thinking we aren’t working as hard despite the fact that this is not the case, I’m guessing none of us are complaining.
Potential for Faster Recovery: Some studies suggest that caffeine can help reduce muscle soreness after a run, potentially aiding in faster recovery. Which is exactly why I am drinking mochas after hard efforts. Well, that and that I love them.
For me, coffee is a treat. After a hard workout there is nothing I like to treat myself to more than a mocha latte, iced or hot depending on the season. I realize this isn’t the case for everyone, but I do believe sitting down with friends for a coffee or a coffee-like drink is one the most socially accepted habits across the country and perhaps the world. Coffee, or this notion of meeting up for coffee is universal. And a coffee date brings people together in a way that almost nothing else does. Got a problem? Let’s meet for coffee? Want to celebrate your promotion? Let’s go out for coffee. Need a break? Yes. Coffee.
In running and in life, I personally use coffee as a way to connect with friends, family, teammates, strangers even. Rain or shine. Day or night. Basically 365 days a year, coffee always works. I’m lucky in that most of my friends and family, including my husband, who might like coffee more than I do (I know) are big coffee people. So, when expressing excitement about it in any way, they not only get it but they also appreciate it. And nine times out of ten, if I’m asking, they’re in.
Am I addicted? Perhaps. But, if this is my worst habit, I’m doing OK. It’s not just a drink. It’s an experience. It is such a simple thing and it brings me so much joy. I suppose I’m grateful to my mom for introducing me to this delicious nectar at such a young age. As I’ve grown up, it’s become such an important part of my life. As I get older, I don’t see this changing. And this is such a wonderful thing.
Boston-area editor-at-large Rebecca Trachsel is a mom, a competitive age-group marathoner, a high school cross country and track coach, and music lover with a coffee problem. She’s still chasing big goals and having a blast along the way.
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