Consistency, Endurance, Speed...

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler" Albert Einstein

I do not like to make training complicating - mainly because I personally do not work that way. Its definitely how you work and what works for you and what will get you to work. I have to have fun, change things up, so that I can keep in tune with myself. What does this mean?

This means to learn how to run and understand heart rate, pace, fueling all on perceived exertion - something I learned way back when I started running marathons before all the "gadgets" were out.... you learned how to learn yourself, something we all strive for. And that is the experiment of one which can not be found on any manual but your personal "drive". And to me, this is fascinating and takes the unnecessary work out of training on the "things".

So.....the three keys that I contribute to success in running and put me back in gear, are these: consistency, endurance, speed. Simple and changing...changing as the "machine" learns and relearns. And here is my brief description of each and how I use it.

Consistency: Purpose, to develop the habit and the desire. This is most important when starting out a new "something", in this case its running! If you are a beginner runner, it is better to get out 15 minutes everyday than 1 hour twice a week. Develop a routine that is set in your day that you have no excuse. For me, the morning run is a time that is my habit and gets me out. This can also be carried over in to so many other things in life and a way to see success start to develop.

Endurance: Take a couple of those consistent runs and drag them a little longer. This is much easier to do after consistency as well as changing it up a bit. I look forward to endurance runs (and the word "endurance is different in everyones vocabulary huh?). These are my building runs, thinking runs, runs where I like to explore a new area, new trail. Runs where I learn my fueling, my mind, my true strengths and weaknesses.

Speed: When the body is strong and built up, time to break it down with speed to build stronger. Speed for me ranges to so many different things - 800 repeats, 20 second repeats, fartlek- speed play to pick up whenever I want, however long I feel. I keep speed to a couple times a week due to the tasking it can take on my body.

Three things, all important, all powerful to building a stronger you. And the you is different everyday - the goal is to learn where you are when you are at it and what is needed to make you stronger, that day. Sometimes, stronger can be not doing...and sometimes, its a full "bring it on".

You are the gadget - keep learning how to press your "buttons".

"Make the most of yourself, for that all there is of you" Ralph Waldo Emerson