June 17, 2013
Hi runners, at this point in the summer you should have covered a minimum of 10 miles or about 75 minutes over 5 days. Those running shoes should be broken in and your body should start getting used to the demands you are placing on it.
Let's face it, running can be hard and getting the motivation to go and pound out 2, 3, 5 miles can be near impossible. But do not fret. I have been in your shoes and the rewards for putting in your time running are great. They may not be apparent at first but when your new season starts you will be glad to have done the work in June and July.
There are two things that help a runner stay focussed and challenged during their training; a wrist watch and a running log. During the hot months of summer training I always recorded my distances each time I ran as well as how long it took me. I did this to keep track of my progress and also as motivation to do a little bit better then next time I ran. At the end of each month or at the end of the summer I would have this journal to look back on and review my progress and would be motivated further to keep improving. A wrist watch with a timer is a lonely runners friend. If you are running for time you can see your progress as the time disappears. You can tell yourself "just five more minutes" or "I'm going to the next half faster than the last half.
The bottom line...you need to run. Your success is built on your preparation. It may be difficult. Staying in a cool home and on the couch may feel good but it will not get you ready for what you will ask of your body later. When it's all said and done, and you have run your 2, 3, 5 miles or covered 30 minutes of running, you may say "I'm glad that's over" but you will NOT say "I wish I didn't do that."
Good luck.
Hi runners, at this point in the summer you should have covered a minimum of 10 miles or about 75 minutes over 5 days. Those running shoes should be broken in and your body should start getting used to the demands you are placing on it.
Let's face it, running can be hard and getting the motivation to go and pound out 2, 3, 5 miles can be near impossible. But do not fret. I have been in your shoes and the rewards for putting in your time running are great. They may not be apparent at first but when your new season starts you will be glad to have done the work in June and July.
There are two things that help a runner stay focussed and challenged during their training; a wrist watch and a running log. During the hot months of summer training I always recorded my distances each time I ran as well as how long it took me. I did this to keep track of my progress and also as motivation to do a little bit better then next time I ran. At the end of each month or at the end of the summer I would have this journal to look back on and review my progress and would be motivated further to keep improving. A wrist watch with a timer is a lonely runners friend. If you are running for time you can see your progress as the time disappears. You can tell yourself "just five more minutes" or "I'm going to the next half faster than the last half.
The bottom line...you need to run. Your success is built on your preparation. It may be difficult. Staying in a cool home and on the couch may feel good but it will not get you ready for what you will ask of your body later. When it's all said and done, and you have run your 2, 3, 5 miles or covered 30 minutes of running, you may say "I'm glad that's over" but you will NOT say "I wish I didn't do that."
Good luck.