Consistency is the key

I have been following the terrific running podcast "Phedippidations" for many years, and have even recently been enjoying his short(er) diatribes called "Intervals." Right now, you can hear it in Steve Runner's voice: Even Steve is struggling with keeping his running consistent. We've all been there. For me, my "regular" runs became more inconsistent after finishing a very satisfying 13.1 mile race in early December. I backed off on my running on purpose, in part to recover, in part to see how my aging body would feel after a demanding schedule and race, in part to literally "enjoy" the holidays after obsessing for 3.5 months on getting all of my runs in four days a week. But now I am at the point where the weather is warming, the days are getting longer, and I need to set some new, if even modest, running goals for myself. So I signed up for the Martha Jefferson 8K on March 10 and have programmed my "training" schedule backwards. It is not a long race, but a great fundraiser and one of the largest local races in Charlottesville I have yet to run. Depending on how my training is going, I'll either run it "just for fun" or I'll let'er rip on race day. Steve Runner always encourages us to "pick a race." It's great advice. Once you do, you'll realize that the most important part of your running is not how you do on race day, but how consistent you are in getting your runs in amongst your daily schedule. Make running a priority. Put it in your calendar as a standing appointment. Make running as fundamental as eating and sleeping. I look forward to reporting back on my progress, and giving everyone a pre-race assessment. Until then, check your blood sugars and hit the trails with some sport beans and water at the ready.