To be a runner, you have to be very determined and focused if you want to get the training you need to be the best you can be. However, when it comes to choosing what kind of races to run, the extremely focused mindset of most runners can sometimes cause problems. I have noticed that many runners tend to stick to one particular race distance and focus on it year after year. They may launch a run of another distance from time to time, but more like a training run than a real race.

These days it seems like the marathon is the race that gets the most attention. From beginner runners to experienced runners, the attitude that the marathon is the ultimate goal of the race is spreading. Although it is not just the marathon, regardless of the distance you will find runners who have convinced themselves that it is the only one for them. While it’s true that it usually takes multiple attempts to run a certain distance to master it, if you keep running the same run over and over again eventually your progress will stall at best or you might even start to slow down if you don’t. you’re Running the same distance too often (this is seen a lot in frequent marathoners).

My suggestion is to try to run some races that are completely different from what you are used to. Not just throw in a few 5Ks or a half marathon here and there, but take a full year and really shift your focus to a new type of running. I hear a lot of marathon runners say they can’t compete in the shorter races because they can’t handle the speed work. And many runners who focus on shorter races say they can’t handle the higher mileage required for a marathon. While I’m sure there are some runners who couldn’t really handle a faster paced workout or higher mileage, in most cases the problem is that the increase in intensity or volume isn’t too fast. That’s why I suggest dedicating an entire year to trying something new. If you have a full year to gradually adjust your approach to training, you can take your time and avoid injuries that come from sudden changes in intensity or volume.

When I was little my dad decided he wanted to run a marathon. So he started training like crazy and ran a couple of marathons. But the main thing I remember from his experience is that he said that after running the marathon he saw big improvements in his 10K times. That always stayed with me. And in 2007 I decided to switch my focus to the marathon and give it a try. I’ve always been a shorter distance guy; my favorite event is the 1500 meters. So speed was much easier for me than endurance. I slowly increased my mileage up to almost 90 miles per week, the most I had done before was around 60 per week. I eventually realized that I really enjoyed my 20 miles. When race day came around, even though I didn’t have a great race, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to trying another marathon in the future. But more importantly, when I refocused on my shorter races, I found that I was much stronger and my times started to improve quite a bit.

So if you’re constantly running marathons or other long races, try taking a year to focus on a few 5Ks (or even do a few track and XC races) and you’ll be amazed how the speed you develop during this time will make your marathon pace drop. feel a lot easier when you get back to that distance. And if you always stick to the shorter races, try to focus on the half marathon or the full marathon for a year and then when you go back to the shorter races you will find that you are much stronger and able to maintain a faster pace for a long time. more time.

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