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Mileposts and Musings
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Summer Newsletter!
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Poor Air-Quality Training Adjustments
Running in poor air-quality (high-AQI) can have long term performance and health implications. How should you adjust your training for different AQI levels? This article shows how to monitor and adjust, along with what other factors you should take into consideration!
The Case for the Smaller Race
If you are feeling 'stuck in a rut' with your racing, and looking to PR, it may be time to look beyond big-city marathons! In lots of ways, those huge races just aren't designed for you to run a fast time. Smaller events often are! Let's dig into some pros and cons!
A Downhill Marathon (Probably) Won't Help You PR or BQ
The data shows that extreme net-downhill races are not actually faster than flat and rolling courses. Additionally they carry a much higher DNF rate and injury risk. But why? Let's dig into the science!
The Heat Will Slow You Down – but it Might Just Speed You Up!
We all know running in the heat is miserable.
But what if, despite slowing you down, it could actually make you more fit? Science shows us that's exactly the case!
But what if, despite slowing you down, it could actually make you more fit? Science shows us that's exactly the case!
Scientific Reasons to Ignore Pace
Do you train by pace? Here are some scientific reasons why you may want to rethink that! They may even lead to a BREAKTHROUGH!
Easy Running is Vital Training – Not Just Recovery
Easy runs are not just recovery runs. They are VITAL to your training in so many more important ways than just recovering from workouts or long runs.
The Beauty of a DNF
Sometimes, a willingness to DNF might be just what you need to make a true breakthrough!
Let's scratch out "Death before DNF" and even "Did nothing fatal," and start thinking about what factors really go into a race performance and the likelihood of any single race being a great one. Accept when it's 'just not your day' and consider making a decision that puts you in the best place to move forward.
Let's scratch out "Death before DNF" and even "Did nothing fatal," and start thinking about what factors really go into a race performance and the likelihood of any single race being a great one. Accept when it's 'just not your day' and consider making a decision that puts you in the best place to move forward.
Why Training Plans Don't Work (Well) – and How to Fix Them
Training plans... don't work. At least, not very well. That includes ones you paid for, and even many
customized by a coach. At least a few of these reasons are true among ALL pre-determined training plans. Read here to find out why, and figure out how to overcome their limitations.
customized by a coach. At least a few of these reasons are true among ALL pre-determined training plans. Read here to find out why, and figure out how to overcome their limitations.
The Power of Showing Up
One of the most transformative changes I've experienced with athletes is when they break out of an 'all-or-nothing' mentality. In many cases, it completely changes their training and relationship with running. Black & white and all-or-nothing mentality is really common in our culture, so this is something that will take work. How can you defeat this ingrained mentality? Focus on just showing up!
The 6 Core Components of Coaching – and Why Training Plans and Groups are Less Effective
Both science and anecdotal experience show there are certain components necessary for effective coaching – regardless of training philosophy.
These include being adaptive, being customized, and including frequent communication. Without these components, coaching is unlikely to be any more effective than a training plan (which research shows is much less effective).
These include being adaptive, being customized, and including frequent communication. Without these components, coaching is unlikely to be any more effective than a training plan (which research shows is much less effective).
Your Pace is Not Your Worth
Your worth as an athlete is not defined by your pace, and faster training does NOT mean better training!
