20 Replies to “Learning From the Elites: Mortal runners improving off of sound advice”
I just finished reading the Competitor interview with Shalane and appreciated how much attention she gives to visualization. I feel like that’s such an important piece of the puzzle.
Though, I can’t even imagine completing this workout:
“One of the most recent workouts we used to simulate the course was a 21-mile long run which included 10 miles of 800m on at 5:00 min/mile pace and 800m off at 6:00 min/mile pace.”
I watched it live and was amazed during the whole thing. I really need to figure out what they drink during the race that fuels them with just a few quick sips.
1) Like many other nerds out there, I got up early to watch the marathon. I’ve gone out of my way over the last week to watch specific races. I wish there was one set website or channel to watch, but I feel like every event I have to track down a different website to watch it live, but it has been worth it. The highlight has of course been watching the mens 10k live. My roommate just got a 50+ inch tv for our living room, so getting to watch one of the best races ever on a bigscreen was incredible.
2) I usually check this site every 2-3 days, and occasionally read over the front page of letsrun just because they have results on pretty much everything. Although I really only glance at the message board every now and then. As i’ve gotten older, i’ve grown sick of message board trolls and negativity. I used to be a fan of flotrack, but their site has gotten ridiculous with advertisements and to many “extras.” I feel like my computer stuggles to load the page sometimes, haha. So I just glance at it once a week or so.
3) The most simple thing I ever read in a running interview, and I don’t even recall who said it, was, “if you do something long enough, you’re bound to get good at it.” This really applied directly to people like myself who have not been blessed with extreme natural talent. I always try to tell people I struggled with running when I started as well, its not like it happened overnight. I just always kept thinking, if I just keep plugging away day after day, running will eventually become as easy and relaxed as walking. And it happened. Its still a work in progress, and I hope to get faster now that i’m injury free, but to go from running 19’s 14’s in the 5k has literally just been about consistancy. Mile after mile, year after year. As it has been said since the beginning of time, there is no secret. Its just about learning to run fast while you’re relaxed, which takes a mountain of time.
I watched it live – amazing! Cait, I love this post. OK, I love all of your posts, but I feel that this is particularly special.
I love fartlek for training, and your tips are gold. I don;t stick to a particular site for running tips – I tend to pick and choose. Sometimes the personal experiences are more informative than the bigger ones – I guess it depends what yo need on a given day.
I really want to take care of my legs while I run. Getting the right workouts in, foam rolling, stretching. Things like that. 🙂 I love love love to visualize myself finished with my run, not matter how short or long I run.
Most every blog that I look at has something to say about running, but I love to come here because I know you are going to go into greater detail, which I love!
visualization is AWESOME, and something u’ve picked up early on which puts you ahead of the game in lots of ways. keep on dreaming of ur running and honing that mental tool, girl! 🙂
Thanks for all these great tips, especially as I head into a lovely, long lead-up to my next half marathon (I know, nerdy over-preparer that’s me). The competitor website looks awesome – lots of new reading material 🙂
Even though my heart is painted green and gold, I was cheering for Kara during the women’s marathon 🙂
ummm, HARDLY nerdy…smart and savvy runner is more like it! 😉 but u’ll totally rock that half i know it! 🙂 and thanks for giving some love to my girl kara…hehe!
PS- i tried to leave a comment on ur blog but it won’t let me. :/ so wanted to say that i’m on weather patrol here too and i’m glad u lucked out and got to run outside! 🙂
I just finished reading the Competitor interview with Shalane and appreciated how much attention she gives to visualization. I feel like that’s such an important piece of the puzzle.
Though, I can’t even imagine completing this workout:
“One of the most recent workouts we used to simulate the course was a 21-mile long run which included 10 miles of 800m on at 5:00 min/mile pace and 800m off at 6:00 min/mile pace.”
AMAZING!
wat, c’mon, u don’t do that workout every Sunday?!?! 😉
I watched it live and was amazed during the whole thing. I really need to figure out what they drink during the race that fuels them with just a few quick sips.
loved it! marathon nutrition is a huge part of the planning process!
1) Like many other nerds out there, I got up early to watch the marathon. I’ve gone out of my way over the last week to watch specific races. I wish there was one set website or channel to watch, but I feel like every event I have to track down a different website to watch it live, but it has been worth it. The highlight has of course been watching the mens 10k live. My roommate just got a 50+ inch tv for our living room, so getting to watch one of the best races ever on a bigscreen was incredible.
2) I usually check this site every 2-3 days, and occasionally read over the front page of letsrun just because they have results on pretty much everything. Although I really only glance at the message board every now and then. As i’ve gotten older, i’ve grown sick of message board trolls and negativity. I used to be a fan of flotrack, but their site has gotten ridiculous with advertisements and to many “extras.” I feel like my computer stuggles to load the page sometimes, haha. So I just glance at it once a week or so.
3) The most simple thing I ever read in a running interview, and I don’t even recall who said it, was, “if you do something long enough, you’re bound to get good at it.” This really applied directly to people like myself who have not been blessed with extreme natural talent. I always try to tell people I struggled with running when I started as well, its not like it happened overnight. I just always kept thinking, if I just keep plugging away day after day, running will eventually become as easy and relaxed as walking. And it happened. Its still a work in progress, and I hope to get faster now that i’m injury free, but to go from running 19’s 14’s in the 5k has literally just been about consistancy. Mile after mile, year after year. As it has been said since the beginning of time, there is no secret. Its just about learning to run fast while you’re relaxed, which takes a mountain of time.
the biggest ‘secret’ to improving is consistency. 🙂
I watched it live – amazing! Cait, I love this post. OK, I love all of your posts, but I feel that this is particularly special.
I love fartlek for training, and your tips are gold. I don;t stick to a particular site for running tips – I tend to pick and choose. Sometimes the personal experiences are more informative than the bigger ones – I guess it depends what yo need on a given day.
hehe…awww, shucks u, thanks!! glad u liked!
I really want to take care of my legs while I run. Getting the right workouts in, foam rolling, stretching. Things like that. 🙂 I love love love to visualize myself finished with my run, not matter how short or long I run.
Most every blog that I look at has something to say about running, but I love to come here because I know you are going to go into greater detail, which I love!
visualization is AWESOME, and something u’ve picked up early on which puts you ahead of the game in lots of ways. keep on dreaming of ur running and honing that mental tool, girl! 🙂
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Thanks for all these great tips, especially as I head into a lovely, long lead-up to my next half marathon (I know, nerdy over-preparer that’s me). The competitor website looks awesome – lots of new reading material 🙂
Even though my heart is painted green and gold, I was cheering for Kara during the women’s marathon 🙂
ummm, HARDLY nerdy…smart and savvy runner is more like it! 😉 but u’ll totally rock that half i know it! 🙂 and thanks for giving some love to my girl kara…hehe!
The Olympic Marathon was such an inspiration and I am a huge fan of Kara Goucher too! She is pretty great!
I just joined Twitter, follow me @SouthGirlRun, thanks!!!
Love your blog!
she’s awesome! 🙂
PS- i tried to leave a comment on ur blog but it won’t let me. :/ so wanted to say that i’m on weather patrol here too and i’m glad u lucked out and got to run outside! 🙂
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