Category: Training

It’s a simple question. The answer for most people? At least sometimes, no.

So what do we do about this? If we’re at least sometimes not running easy enough on our easy days, what do we do to convince ourselves to back off?

If a runner from 20 years ago was to look at what almost every single one of us has on our wrists and could comprehend all of the data these magnificent watches record, they would be floored.

The irony of this is that many coaches, myself included, are now worried that many runners are too fixated on that data and have forgotten how to listen to their bodies.

So how do you use all of that data that you have readily available in a productive way?

Recently, I’ve been dealing with an ankle/lower shin issue. I’m on the road to recovery, in large part because I think I found the primary cause of the issue and have corrected it.

However, the primary cause wasn’t where I was expecting it to be and it was where most runners don’t tend to look. It had to do with what I was doing in my leisure time, not when I was running or, for that matter, doing anything physically demanding.

Minimal shoes. Maximal shoes.

Low volume. High volume. HIIT.

Low fat. Low carb.

Regardless of the topic, it seems like there are trends that will take you on a pendulum. It can be easy to get swept up in these trends. Avoid this temptation.

Did you do your goal setting for 2021? To be honest, I wouldn’t blame you for not doing so yet as we’re not totally sure what the year will look like yet.

However, I do want to address an issue that I see with some people who are going through goal setting. They don’t differentiate between goals and targets.

I have an admission to make. When I’m writing training plans for the runners I coach, I don’t even look at the weekly mileage I have them running. As I know can frustrate some, especially as we are just starting together, I very infrequently talk about specific paces to target.

Why don’t I do these things? Because your body doesn’t know numbers. It knows effort and duration.

It seems too early for this but winter is on its way. Here in Wisconsin, we’ve already seen snow on the ground in October and the past couple of mornings have felt very winter like.

That means it’s time for your annual reminder: winter running can be safe and, dare I say, even enjoyable with a few precautions.

When a runner gets injured, we all instantly think about rehab. What are you doing to recover? Strength? Stretching? Maybe some massage or self massage with something like a foam roller?

Instead of being reactive, why not be proactive? Before the injury happens, do some of that same work in order to avoid it in the first place.

Last week, I posted about the importance of consistency.

But last month, I posted about the importance of taking time off when your health is at risk.

How do these ideas reconcile? Let’s use me as an example.

What does it take to be your best?

So many people think the answer is that you need to be great every day, that you need to be at your best day in and day out.