Fall training season is here! I love having mantras to train to. My theme for this training block is CREATE. I’m not just training, I’m creating another version of me. Take a read and adopt it for yourself if it applies! Be sure to tag me and use the hashtag #create.
C is for CONSISTENCY. Improving your running is directly correlated with how consistent you are with your running. No matter what your level is, the more consistent you are the better you will become. So start now!
R is for RUNNING of course! Whether you’re lacing up those Brooks, Ons, Hokas, or Nikes, it's a RUN! It could be a long run, hill work, track work, or just going easy for a mile, it's still a run and a deposit into IMPROVING YOU. This also applies to speed or pace. The focus is getting the correct pace for you at that time. It may be your best now but I promise you, your BEST IS TEMPORARY.
E is for EAT and DRINK for that matter. You are a performance machine. Feed yourself like one. Running requires energy from carbohydrates and fats. If there is no fuel to burn, you will not perform, period. Also, water with electrolytes is your friend especially in warmer temperatures. Fuel your body for the task. Do not skip this step. Learn what makes your body operate at its best. Don’t leave this to chance, everyone is different!
A is for APPRECIATION. Allow yourself to appreciate the progress you’ve made. Be proud that you’re even attempting to make yourself BETTER. There may seem like there a lot of runners out there but relatively speaking you are one of the FEW. Allow yourself to be proud to call yourself a runner because that’s exactly what you ARE!
T is for you guessed it, TIME. Training will take TIME. Improvement will take TIME. It may seem like you don’t have the time but odds are you do. You just may have to change how you structure your day. Running can happen at any time in literally any place. The great thing and bad thing about time is that it's going to move with or without you. Are you going to make the TIME?
E is for ENDURE. Along with being consistent, you’re going to have to learn to endure. Every run will be a test of endurance. Most of the time you’re not going to want to train. You’re not going to want to wake up. You’re going to want a coke instead of a protein shake after a run. You’re going to want another beer when what you really need is water. You’re going to want to switch your workout to an easy run instead of the speed work you’re supposed to do.
Endurance isn’t built at the race, it's built while you’re preparing. Once you get through this, once you’ve endured, you’ll not only see that you can do literally anything but you’ll want MORE!