If you've been reading along this year, you know that I'm been following Runners' World's Guide to a Fitter, Faster You. It's a month-by-month guide put out by RW back in January to help you have your best year running. Following it has been really beneficial. I feel like I'm definitely becoming a much smarter runner and healthier eater and I've definitely noticed improvements in my running - both physically and mentally.
The actual plan for May is to "Sneak in Speed," but since I've been pseudo-tapering for Cleveland, and since I'll be base training for Marine Corps in June, I figured it would be best to switch up these two plans.
So, May is about strengthening my brain. The Guide's recommendations are:
The actual plan for May is to "Sneak in Speed," but since I've been pseudo-tapering for Cleveland, and since I'll be base training for Marine Corps in June, I figured it would be best to switch up these two plans.
So, May is about strengthening my brain. The Guide's recommendations are:
- Follow a training plan
- Find the race in the workout
- Take small bites (i.e. focus on one part of the workout at a time)
- Relax
- Repeat a manta
Well, I'm definitely relaxing...and I'm definitely taking small bites. As I mentioned yesterday though, I think that the biggest part about strengthening your brain and becoming a better runner is knowing when and when NOT to follow a training plan and right now, I'm being much smarter by NOT following a training plan.
Since I'm not following a training plan, I've very much enjoyed following the 'race' in the workout and pushing myself at certain points during a run...up hill, for a mile, to a tree, whatever it is. As a result, most of my runs this month have been steady progression runs.
And as far as a mantra goes, this one popped into my head earlier this year and has really just stuck.
"Be Great Today."
I love it. It's simple and it motivates me to make every run great.
So Tell Me: What's your mantra? How do you work to make yourself a better, smarter run?
I have 2 mantras: "Pain is temporary, Pride is forever" and "whether you think can or whether you think you can't - you are right!"
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