Even though I *know* I need to get out of my comfort zone to make progress, the occasional reminder is welcome. We need to mindfully attend to changes, accept they will feel weird for a while, and put in the effort for them to eventually become habit.
Last year I focused on raising my upper-80's run cadence to 90+. It took effort and constant self-reminders at first, but no longer. Last week's race was run in the 90-93 range without much thought. So I know I am at least capable of change!
With our training schedules, plans, and logs, it's all too easy to just check the boxes. But every workout is an opportunity to make an effort, to fine-tune, and to improve. Even on slow recovery runs, I try to take the time to think about parts of my body that I can't attend to as well on a tough run - arms, hands, head position, and shoulders.
Want change? Be prepared to make the investment and effort, both physically and mentally.
Don't want to make the effort or unwilling to change? Better be happy right where you are.


Thanks for posting this. I sometimes labor under the delusion that everyone else was just born good at this. It's nice to know that someone much faster than me goes through the same things. When it gets really hard, I my mantra becomes "you are changing your body. It's not supposed to be easy" or simply "change your stars" (goofy movie but good quote). It seems to all trace back to change your habits and THAT might be hardest of all!
ReplyDeleteI had to google that quote - A Knight's Tale? Hard work is hard work, no matter what your speed or experience level. Even the pros are not immune! Hang in there!
DeleteThat is my mantra for the season... My ability to change my habits will determine my success. Be it running cadence, when your hand enters the wate, late night snack, workout days, workout intensities, running routes, lifting exercises, etc. I have had to try a few new things mostly out of circumstance and it almost always works in my favor. Keeping an open mind is the hardest part
ReplyDeleteCasey your experiments seem to be working amazingly well! I like your mantra. Same inputs = same outputs. Want a new outcome? Change what you are doing!
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