Be willing to skip a workout
We’ve all experienced those days. A workout or long run is in the plan but we’re just not feeling it. What do you do in those situations?
…Is 10% a real thing?
Progress is not linear
In the spring of 1996, I lowered my 5K PR from 17:06 to 16:08 in two races. Afterward, I could consistently run in the low 16s. However, lowering that PR just wasn’t happening for the remainder of that track season or the 1997 season.
Then, after a year away from track for reasons that had nothing to do with running, I returned in the spring of 1999 and progressively worked my PR down to 15:43. Sub-16 became routine. I took my 10K PR from 34:12 to 32:57 in a single race. A mid-33, a short time earlier over 30 seconds faster than my PR, would now be a bad race.
…Don’t put too much faith in a device
This past weekend, I did a 5K time trial on the track. Afterward, I got a good reminder that even the best watches are not infallible.
As you can see above, after my watch recorded me running a 5K in 18:48, it informed me that I’m capable of a 19:02 5K.
…How little strength training can you get away with?
Let’s face it: we’re distance runners. We don’t like strength training. I bet that’s true for at least 90% of the people reading this (and, to an extent at the very least, it’s true for the one writing this).
That said, we know of the value of strength training. While there may be some question about direct benefits for running performance or injury prevention, I personally have little to no doubt that there are indirect benefits. Also, it’s well established, especially as we get older, that strength training is very important to our health and well being.
…How little strength training can you get away with?Read More »
How little strength training can you get away with? Read More »