Episode 407: But WHY do YOU Run?

Episode 407: But WHY do YOU Run?

We are turning the page (pun intended) to a new section of the book where we discuss the mental side of training and racing. And, as cheesy as it might sound, it all starts with knowing your purpose for the run. Why do you run, and specifically why do run for performance? For you, running might be about stress relief, health or longevity, but we would submit that there are likely deeper reasons as well, especially if you are listening to us talk. In this episode, we encourage you to dig into your purpose by creating a statement of purpose for your running. We give you 6 tips and several thought starters for doing so. This might be a scary exercise for you, but we promise it will pay off when the going gets tough in training or racing!

Episode 406: Nailing Your Long Run Workouts

If the long run "puts the tiger in the cat," then the long run workout puts the saber tooth in the tiger! Yes, we need all of those easy long runs to build the aerobic foundation. Then, as you gain experience and appropriately timed in the cycle, it is important to add quality into your long runs to give you that extra edge for race day. We call these workouts race simulations or race preps because they give you the opportunity to practice that race-day feeling while still saving something for race day. In this episode, we break down how to do that in an optimal way with all of the do's and don'ts, including example workouts. Are you ready to upgrade some of your long runs with speed? Then, this episode is for you!

Episode 405: The Art and Science of Recovery Runs

There are 3 main pillars of recovery - sleep, nutrition/hydration, and easy movement. In this episode, we talk about the third pillar. In our training programs, easy movement primarily manifests as recovery running. These are the glacially slow runs that enable blood flow which promote healing for the next long or hard thing. If you are skipping your recovery runs, then you are likely on the bullet train to injury. So, get in those recovery runs and do them at paces that are slower than you think. Your body will thank you and so will your next PR.

Episode 404: Do You Medium Long Run?

Last week, we talked about the long run, and now this week, we talk about the medium long run. I call it the "unsung hero" of fitness building, and it's a run that is often overlooked relative to the speed workout or primary long run. In this episode, we discuss why it's really the third leg or pillar in your training that should be given equal weight to those other two. Listen in to learn about the why and the how of building a robust medium long run to help you smash your goals. It is more important than you think!

Episode 403: The Art of the Long Run

Mile for mile... the long run might just be the most important run of the week. It builds aerobic capacity, improves neuromuscular resilience, and facilitates metabolic flexibility - 3 of the most important tools you need as a distance runner. In this episode, we discuss the benefits in detail and then break down the tactics by answering these 6 questions about the long run: * How long? * How many or how often? * How fast? * Can you go too fast? * How do you fuel? Hydrate? * How do you incorporate long run workouts? Make sure you aren't wasting miles. Listen to this one before your next long run!