Daily Improvements
SNAPSHOT
Join me on this journey to be a better runner in 30 days.
DIGGING DEEPER
#1 Daily Improvements
Start each day with the objective to improve your running by giving your body the needed stress (which will cause adaptations) or recovery (which will allow for adaptations to occur). Deciphering the needed stress or recovery will allow you to incrementally and consistently progress forward.
Notice Stress. Yes, you will have to get uncomfortable in order to cause your body to rebuild and become better. For the marathon runners out there that no matter the distance of your run, 3 miles or 26 miles, you ALWAYS run the same speed. You are not causing improved fitness adaption in your body. Run a little faster at least once a week. For example, instead of running 10 minute miles for 6 miles, slip in 4 miles of 9 minute miles between the first and last mile. By week three you will love those 9 minute miles for the sense of a new accomplishment.
Notice Recovery. Without recovery you can not adapt to become a more fit runner. Recovery can take more than 24 hours depending on the stress load and system that you are stressing.
1 Week to Understanding Recovery
To all the engineers out there, stop logging your running for one week. I know it will ruin your spreadsheet and mess up the yearly mileage records, but please let running be something more than numbers on a document. Now during this week complete this plan.
Day ONE -Run a different course than you have before.
Day TWO - Run but don’t wear a watch.
Day THREE - Don’t run, just walk for the same amount of time as you would have run.
Day FOUR - Run a true fartlek workout by landmarks only, no watch.
Day FIVE - Run your usual run then afterward write on an index card three words that describe how your body or mind feels, flip the card over and write three more words (those are most likely your true feelings, not just what you thought you should write).
Day SIX - Without a watch run until you can’t safely run any longer, don’t use specific courses to figure out the distance (it doesn’t matter this week).
Day SEVEN - Within five minutes total, max out on push ups and squats, no running.
After a week of following this plan you will have a new perspective on recovery. Stop counting and reaching for goals and start listening, feeling, and experiencing. If you think this is hogwash and won’t be of any use in learning to recover, I dare you to try and prove me wrong.
Notice incrementally. That is with small steps going in the right direction. An example of the wrong direction is for you to jump into an advanced strengthening gym class and end up with a strained muscle. Versus recognizing the need for a strong body and receiving instruction on a few body weight exercises that will prepare your body for the next level of training in the future. Be patient and wise, choose to progress step by step. Mastering each step before going onto the next.
Notice consistently. There are two facets to this suggestion of consistency. There is the never take a day off mentality. Where you have a good habits of raising your heart rate with some type of exercise (usually running or strengthening) every single day. The other is the close monitoring of the body in order to make small adjustments so that you don’t trip, figuratively and literally, yourself up and end up on the injured list.
SOLUTION
Reread this sentence below and endeavor to become a better runner in the next 30 days.
Start each day with the objective to improve your running by giving your body the needed stress (which will cause adaptations) or recovery (which will allow for adaptations to occur). Deciphering the needed stress or recovery will allow you to incrementally and consistently progress forward.
This 30 day series is a quest for me as a writer, coach, and runner. I promise to write about running for 30 days in a row. In doing so I intend to gain in knowledge and expression of running and daily life. My hope is that we all grow together.
