Spring Training Tips

I hate winter, I yearn for spring, I enjoy summer and adore fall.  So it should be no surprise that my running follows the same path.  

Because my good intentions during winter rarely result in an equal amount of good running, I find myself impatiently trying to catch up in spring.  I push my running, trying to make up for lost time and lost runs of the winter.  Those runs I abandoned to instead stay warm under a quilt with a cup of hot chocolate or those runs I cut short because I thought my head would explode if I took one more step on a treadmill. 

With the first hint at reasonable weather, I am back running in full force.  I try to pick up where I left off an entire season ago.  I tell "rest" to take a hike and "recovery" it isn't worth it and try to pack in the miles and quickly build a base.  Because I just know that the faster I build a base means the faster I can do more and go faster.

Yeah right.

"Quickly build a base" shouldn't be allowed to be used in the same phrase.   If I "quickly build a base" I will generally find myself just as quickly searching sportsinjuryclinic.net to find out why my knee hurts or hip has pain.   And if I run through the warning signs, I find myself even more quickly wishing I hadn't rushed into spring training.

Based on my lessons learned the hard way, my spring training tip is to give yourself the time and luxury of building a base, one run at a time, which leaves you feeling stronger and with more enjoyable runs.   Don't push it, don't cram them in, and be smart about recovery and rest.   Run more slowly and planfully in the spring so you can enjoy summer and fall running at your peak.

If you are brushing off the cobwebs of your running, don't forget to pick up a few more tips from other runners as well from the Know How section:

13 Words of Wisdom

Great Posts on Lessons Learned

Great Posts on General Running Advice

Great Posts on Obvious Running Mistakes

 And stop by Take It and Run Thursday and leave your spring training tips!

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Comments

[Nonrunner Nancy]

I was about to have to come out there and knock some sense into you with my crutch and remind you of the injuries but I see you figured it out. You so wise. :D

[Air Max 95]

This sounds like one fun race. Can't wait to check out the pictures. Good luck Amy and Tom!

[Nike Air Max]

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