Happy Tuesday and welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics! This week’s Tuesday Topic: What is your training philosophy? You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!
I am no expert nor a running coach, but over the years I have learned a few things here and there thanks to my wonderful blogger friends. As a teacher, I know that learning is power. 🙂
My training philosophy is to to have fun. I’ve said it before and I will say it again but running is a hobby and not my job. Yes it should be taken seriously but not to a point that our life depends on it. Will we be happy? Yes. Will we be disappointed? Yes. Life still goes on. Something else I keep in mind are:
♥ Easy runs means run slow. It took me a while to figure it out. I am not a “fast” runner but I still look forward to my easy runs. They have helped me recover much faster and stay injury free.
♥ Never compare yourself to others. I used to do that and it would drive me CRAZY. Everyone is different so there is no point in saying that someone is “better” than you.
♥ Be proud of the work you put in. Whether it is one mile or 10 miles, pat yourself on the back. Running is not easy and should never be taken for granted.
♥ The only person you are competing with is yourself. So what if you are running 12 minute or 8 minute miles. No one will look down on you or make fun of you. A mile is still a mile.
♥ Not all runs/races will go like they’re supposed to. That one also took me a while to figure out. I would be so hard on myself if I didn’t always hit the time or the required paces. So what if my intervals are supposed to be done at ABC pace and I do them at XYZ pace? I will still be proud of how I did!
♥ Trust the process. I rely on a running coach to tell me what to do. Yes, I can follow a plan, but sometimes I want someone else to do it for me.
Never compare yourself to others is so important! I did this a lot when I was first training for half marathons and marathons and it was so bad for me mentally. Now I do what feels right for my body and what makes me happy.
We have all done it and we are the only ones that can stop doing it.
I really enjoyed working with a coach! Having someone tell you what to do — especially when things need to be tweaked — is priceless!
I agree!
“Easy runs means run slow” – ha, yes!!!
That’s exactly my problem. I am now learning to do nice and easy long runs.
I have often had injuries and I think that’s because I was always going out to fast.
Slow running makes you faster!
At first I couldn’t figure out how slow running makes you faster. Now I do. 😀
Like Catrina, I need to work more on making my easy runs much slower. I’m not running them “fast,” by any means, but I suspect they should be slower. That might be something for me to work on this summer since there are (probably) not going to be any fall races LOL
I know you mentioned running sans watch so just do that. Run by feel and see how that goes.
Amen! All of these are good points, #1 being to never compare yourself to anyone else!
We’ve all done that and it just makes us feel worse.
Definitely, always be proud of the work you put in! That is the real accomplishment
Many times we are too harsh on ourselves. We need to learn to be proud and pleased with the work we put in.
All great points! I especially agree with never comparing yourself to others!
We are doing more harm than we think we are by comparing ourselves to other.
All good rules to follow! The comparison rule is a good one. Run your own race, right?
Right!
I need to learn to slow down on easy runs. I have such a bad habit of going fast. It’s so easy to when you start talking to friends on runs! Also sometimes I just want to be done.
I also have a coach and I love it. It’s so easy to have him adjust things or tell me how to fix it if I can’t do a planned workout. Plus its nice to take the pressure off and have him tell me what workouts and paces to do. Since I started working with him in 2018 I’ve gotten so much faster!
I’ve also been guilty of speeding up when I am almost home and just want to be done. There are train tracks by my house (.86 miles) and you bet I speed up to avoid having to stop and wait due to a train passing by.