Blog

1.      Consistency
Running is a sport where changes will not happen overnight. It often takes weeks of training to see big improvements but do not let that deter you from accomplishing your goals. Week by week, you may notice small changes and it is important to celebrate those victories along the way. With running, there will be days when you wake up and do not want to run. This is a feeling that every runner experiences at times, but great runners have the discipline to push through it, keeping their focus and determination intact, ultimately achieving their goals. After overcoming this mental barrier, they emerge stronger, more resilient, and ready to tackle even bigger challenges on their running journey. Consistency looks different for everyone, however, do what
works best for you and keep working toward your goals!
 
2.      The Little Things Matter
“Doing the little things” is something I have heard many times growing up throughout middle school, high school, and even college running. What this means is doing the extra things outside of your training to make you a better athlete. This can look different for all athletes, but every individual can benefit from small actions that contribute to a larger goal. One of the most important things that is often overlooked is your sleep. Sleep is crucial for athletes since this is the time our bodies recover most. Getting at least eight hours or more, will not only let your body recover but your mind as well. Throughout my athletic career, I have found that getting enough sleep has been one of the most important factors in my training and performance. 
Second, fueling your body correctly is so important to your success as a runner. No matter how intense your training is or what you’re training for, fueling your body is vital to making forward progress. This can consist of making sure you are eating enough before and after your runs, fitting in healthier options, hydrating properly, etc.!
Third, it is important to have a consistent rehab routine that you can perform on a weekly or even daily basis. Even if you are not injured, taking actions to prevent injury is key. This is one thing I wish I picked up on sooner, because I always thought, “I won’t get injured.” However, oftentimes injuries can sneak up on you when you are least expecting it. Doing things such as rolling out, extra stretching, strength exercises, etc. will build upon each other and go a long way.

3. Support System
Having a great support system can make reaching your goals a lot easier. My parents have always been a great support system for me ever since I first started running. They have always been there for me throughout my journey and consistently dropped whatever they were doing to support me. Having friends inside the sport has made overcoming difficult obstacles a lot easier. Having people to relate to makes you feel like you are not alone in your experiences. We are all chasing the same goals, and every day we are pushing each other to be better. With my family and friends right by my side, I always have the extra motivation to reach and even exceed my goals.

4. Have Fun!
Running is one of those sports that is not only physically challenging but mentally challenging as well. I have been running for over eight years and have dealt with so many ups and downs. However, the most important thing I have learned over the years is that having fun with my training and races will drastically enhance my overall performance and mentality. It can be easy to let your nerves get the best of you, but it should never consume you. Turning nervous energy into something positive rather than negative can help fuel your adrenaline for your training or races. 
One thing that has also helped me is having a good training partner. Running with someone helps ease my mind and makes my runs go by faster, especially since we are working toward the same goals throughout our season. 
Another thing that has made running more enjoyable is not focusing on a workout or race too far in advance. Generally, when I stress about something too far ahead of time it affects how I would perform. I do my best to take it day by day, knowing the results will come if I do not try and force anything to happen.
At the end of the day, running should be fun, which is probably why you got started in the first place. Having the right mentality will empower you to control the outcome of your race or workout!