Maximize Your Running Potential
How to Take Control for Optimal Performance
Figuring out what you can control and what you can’t is a big step in becoming a really good distance runner.
There are definitely things you cannot control that are way above your pay grade as a human. Ya can’t control the weather. And you can’t control who shows up to a race.
My middle school distance runners have started to worry about how their next race will go. As if they don’t have enough to worry about already. I’m not always sure what specifically they are worried about, just that they are worried.
Will their time be “fast enough”
Will they be last?
Will anyone pass me if I go out too fast?
Will they win?
So. Many. Thoughts!
I’m constantly reminding them to take care of what they can control. To do what they can with things that they can tangibly alter or manipulate.
What You Can’t Control
With distance running, there are so many things we just can’t control. For instance, I had a goal of winning a local 5k race on the 4th of July. I prepared adequately for it, but I wasn’t the only person who showed up for the race: a really fast young guy showed up and dusted me! On top of that, it was so hot and humid that my time and pace were out the window after the first 4 minutes of the race.
Those are situations that I just cannot control. Neither is the course we run on or any kind of delay that might happen. We can’t control them and there is no point in worrying about trying to make sense of them.
https://twitter.com/coachjayjohnson/status/1653924206877327360?s=20
I love this tweet by coach Jay Johnson - I showed it to my girls who have been worrying the most.
If you focus on the things you can control, most everything else sorts itself out.
What You CAN Control
- Positive thoughts
- Following a race plan
- How you treat your body (nutrition, hydration, sleep)
- The effort level you put out
- Your commitment level
Now that you know what to focus on (the things you can control), the race you’re trying to run, or workout you’re trying to nail, or the long run you want to do well in, will take care of itself - for the most part... Because we know that even the most planned-out plan can still go wrong.
So during your next training cycle, instead of worrying about what you can’t control, instead focus on the things that you can control and you’ll be in a much better space for positive things to happen.
New Blog Alert:
I just posted about my favorite books that will inspire you to run. Check it out here: Ignite Your Running Passion with These Inspirational Running Reads
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Friday’s Action Plan
Choosing to take care of what you can control (like your sleep, how you hydrate, and what you eat) will make you a better runner.
What Has My Attention:
12 Best Running Movies to Inspire Your Next Running Challenge
Drills for Stronger Core Muscles
Villanova Wins the 4xMile at Penn Relays
Quote of the Week:
It might feel difficult now, but you'll be so proud of yourself when you're done.
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