The Big Picture

Sorry for the delay in posts. I am reading a fantastic book by my favorite athlete Chris McCormick. The book's title is: "I'm Here to Win..." One thing that is hitting me strong from this book is how to properly train based on age. I want to expand on this a little in this post.

Each of us is at a different stage in life and fitness. I am now approaching 30, turning 29 just about two months ago; I have also had back surgery in my early life, but now my mind set is changing on how I approach training. I have always had a mentality that more training and harder training is better, but is that the case?

When I played rugby, hard training was needed, but I feel we could have been better if we had hard training plus smart training. That is a major part of endurance training. Some times we might want to go out and have a long, great run or bike ride, but have to back off a little because we feel a different pain in our hamstring or are overly exhausted on the day. Listen to your body and do what it says. A day of rest can reap great dividends later on!

I can't emphasize enough: listen to your body and train smart, not just hard.

Consistency

I have talked to many, many people about doing a race with me and I always get the same reasons on why they shouldn't do the race. One thing I usually also here is I should do that. So why don't people jump on in? What keeps them from joining the running community, which is a great community?

A lot of times it is fear. People fear the unknown and fear they can't do the distance! I spoke with someone last night and he was very pessimistic on what he was able to do. Why do we self-prophecy our own defeat well before we even take a step?

All it takes, and I say this to all, is consistency. Set the goal and stick to it! If you consistently go out and work hard towards a goal you will reach it and feel really good you did it! A lot of times I dread working out, but during and after I am glad I did!

On my training update, this past weekend was one full of hard work and enjoyment. I ran to my brother's apartment to help him move. The run was 10.75 miles and then I helped he and his wife move. Overall, what a great workout....I will say though, at the end of the day I was pretty out of it as the nutrition was trying to get back into my body and i was trying to recover from 2 hours of running and 2-4 hours of moving. Great, great weekend!

The Spartan Race: What am I thinking?

So my friend calls me, and tells me to visit the following site:

http://www.spartanrace.com/

and then proceeds to ask me if I want to do this race. I say yes, and then look at the time frame I have to train and think that is very quick! I can do the running portion (I am doing the Soldier Hollow race in Utah on July 9th, so it is 8 miles), but I had back surgery last year and am still working up my strength, so wish me luck. I will post about it after the race of course.

If the Shoe Fits

Recently I was given a chance to receive a free pair of running shoes. I went to one of my favorite local running stores where I received the prize, and thought I knew what type of shoe I needed: stability. I had been sized up and tested before, and I thought I remembered what kind helped me with my running form. I tried some on, ran on the treadmill for a short time and thought I found a good pair. I went home and started running with them. I started to notice my shins were getting worse and worse and worse. I started thinking about the shoes and if they were the culprit. I then remembered it wasn't a stability shoe I needed, but a neutral shoe. I am changing back to another shoe I had bought right before I received the free pair.

If you have never been sized up for a proper running shoe, go to a local running store (not a Dick's Sporting Goods, or Sports Authority) and have them fit you. The right shoe can make a huge difference in your running. I am now paying the price for just assuming I knew, and dealing with some major shin splints.

Moral of the story: get the shoe that fits right!

To Log or Not to Log?

I have never really kept a good workout log or journal. I have heard there are good things that come along with keeping a workout journal. Well, with my reupping of my runners world subscription, they gave me a new journal to use with my training. I am going to use it and see how much I like it.

On another note, I am doing well with my training regime right now. I went out on Friday for a nice 7 mile run. I still am having some pretty big issues with my shins, but overall they feel well enough to keep going. I have given them some good rest, which helps, and they seem to warm up on the runs the longer I go. One thing I noticed on this run was how much better I felt after probably mile 5 or 6. The last couple miles were my strongest and they felt great! I could have easily kept going, which is a good thing since I still have about 2 months before my first race (the Park City Half-Marathon). If I can get to the 13.1 mile distance early, I can make sure I am easily fit enough for the race.

A Few Tips

With summer upon us, many people want to lose some weight. I found a good article with some tips to help in this area if that is what you are after.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/blast-off-fat-way-faster-2492233/

Time for a Break!

There are many signs a body needs a break, such as maybe a nagging pain that wasn't there before. I am one of those people that doesn't like taking breaks, but I have learned that they are necessary to really hit optimal performance. The following article from Runners World can help you know if you need a break too.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7120,s6-238-267--13950-0,00.html?cm_mmc=TrainingExtra_NL-_-06072011-_-training-_-TRAINING%3a%20Time%20to%20Rest%3f