Running Faster

The past few days I’ve been reading ‘Run Faster From The 5k To The Marathon: How To Be Your Own Best Coach’ by Brad Hudson and Matt Fitzgerald. I was a bit hesitant at first as most of the running books I have glanced through tell me things that I already know and are very repetitive. This one on the other hand I recommend to anyone who wants to be their own coach and improve their speed and endurance, and avoid those dreaded running injuries.

I’m a believer in changing things up. I can’t follow a strict plan to save the life of me. I get bored and frustrated. Change is a necessity for me. Without it I’m not sure I could function.

In his book, Brad Hudson, says it’s okay not to adhere to a strict training regime, and instead to listen to your body, ‘…planned training should be adjusted not only when major setbacks occur, but almost daily, based on a complete assessment of the runner’s immediate training needs…every workout should be planned in pencil, not ink’ (Hudson & Fitzgerald 2008, p12). Yes, you have to train every day to get better but if you feel like crap than go easy and than have a harder training session the following day. I’m a great believer in listening to your body which is why I don’t have a training schedule per se. I know that I have to run/do weights/stretch/etc. but because of my irregular work hours I have to be very flexible. Some weeks I can get more training done, while other weeks it’s a lot less. As an amateur runner this is okay as running is not my job but a hobby I’m passionate about. Regardless of the label ‘amateur’ I still want to improve. Running for me isn’t just about being healthy and fit, but also about improving my time and seeing where it can take me and how far I can go.

What this book has taught me or confirmed so far;

1- It’s okay to be flexible

2- It’s okay to push yourself – if you won’t than who will?

3- Include hill running in your weekly workout

4- Intervals are good but so is endurance

5- There’s still a lot to learn

6- Just because I’m 27 doesn’t mean I’m too old to improve (ambitious long term goal is to be able to run the 10km in under 40 mins).

7- Want to excel in the 10k, make sure to train with half marathon distances to improve endurance

8- It’s okay to increase my distance to about 60-70km or more a week as long as I make time for rest and recovery

9- Training twice a day once or twice a week is fine too, especially if I want to run further, faster and better [I’m going to try that on Saturdays]

10- Have fun and enjoy it!