Marathons and the fitness we pursue to perform in them are mercurial.
We push ourselves so hard in training, but often to the detriment of our performance, injury, and ultimate anguish. I often feel as if my physical health is like bobbing for apples. The harder I try to get that apple, the faster it seems to float away. That’s the hilarity inherent in someone bobbing for apples, but the tragedy in marathoning. We end up getting hurt or burned out as we try too hard to obtain fitness while health gently floats away!
What specifically is our bobbing? Well, it’s the running of course! Chasing the miles…mile of trials and trials of miles. The 100 mile week, the long run, the intervals, tempos and fartleks. Rarely do we hear of a runner falling prey to too much recovering…too much nutrition, core work, or mental training. Running makes up the bulk of our training, as it should, but often to the detriment of the little things that help to support us through the longest and hardest training blocks.
So let’s focus on the little things this training block. I’m not claiming this is a ground breaking, newsworthy, or enlightened pursuit, it’s what everyone knows they should be doing! But, let’s actually prioritize them. The little things are so often the first to go in the pursuit of high mileage. The best runners, however, know that these are the essential in achieving the fitness that compounds as a result of being very good at most every aspect of marathoning rather than the best at just one aspect of marathoning. The best runners also have the most time to devote to the little things, but I think we can get by with a little diligence.
The Conclusion
In the pursuit of my next marathon, where my goals are to feel happy, healthy and strong both mentally and physically, I am prioritizing the little things. While I’m not ultimately sure how much mileage I will run during my build up, I WILL sacrifice mileage to fit in the little things if I have to.
I’m going to have a bi-weekly thought on the smallest things I’m doing to stay mentally sane, nutritionally supported, and strong as a buffalo. These are the 2% gains that we all want.
Do good,
Young Austin
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