Don't Miss Your Running Potential
photo courtesy of Saucony
“If you believe it, you can achieve it.”
Have you ever heard that phrase? Despite how inspirational it is, we all know that belief doesn’t guarantee achievement.
Certain goals aren’t going to happen no matter how much we convince ourselves we can do it.
But often instead of setting goals that are out of reach and dreaming too big, we set the bar too low. We have no idea what we are actually capable of!
Do you want to find out how fast and how far you can run? You’ll never reach your running potential without these factors all coming together:
Health
Injury, or constant “managing” of a little pain or niggle will prevent anyone from doing the work needed to reach their potential. Seek treatment (not rest only!) and complete healing. Then you can get to work!
Hard Work
The very definition of reaching our potential means we want to get the most out of ourselves. If it’s easy, that means we have more to give. Consistent, dedicated training that is sometimes HARD will always be required to reach our potential.
Related Article: No Pain, No Gain
Consistency
Anyone can dedicate themself to training for a short period of time. But to truly discover our potential we need weeks, months, and years of consistent training. That doesn’t mean running every day, and it doesn’t mean the volume of training or intensity remains constant. Consistency means a long-term commitment to focused training, rest breaks, seasons of hard work and of easier running.
Guidance
Reaching our potential requires learning, growing, discipline and strategic training. We need people more experienced and knowledgable than ourselves. Whether it be a proven training plan designed by an expert, a running community full of experience, or a coach who will guide your training (or all of the above!) we cannot reach our potential alone.
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Belief
“If you don’t believe it, you can’t achieve it”
A subtle spin on the catchphrase, and this one is actually true.
Part of my job as a coach is to help each runner open their mind to their ability. I write the workouts and see each person’s progress from a much broader perspective than they do. Just last weekend one of the runners I coach ran a virtual race. Afterward I received the following message: “New PR! Thank you for proposing the sub 2hr half, I don't think I would have tried that had you not suggested it.”
The new PR was 1:59:06.
One of my favourite parts about being a coach is giving good news, telling a runner “Yes, you are ready. Yes, you can do it.” There are no guarantees with running, but it’s important to be open minded and confident. We don’t have to believe we WILL achieve our goal, but we must believe that we COULD achieve it, and that we PROBABLY will.
Curiosity
When training gives every indication of success, we must enjoy that sense of opportunity and possibility. We must look forward to doing what we have prepared to do. We must envision ourselves doing the thing.
With good preparation, we should never limit the goals we set. I encourage runners to follow a race plan designed to set them up for success, but to always bring a sense of curiosity for the final few miles, kms or minutes, asking themselves “How well I can do today?”
Another one of my favourite parts about being a coach is getting good news - the text or email saying: “I did it!”
Are YOU ready to reach your running potential? Let 2021 be the year.
UPDATE: 20% OFF Online Coaching for runners who want to begin now Dec 10, 2020 through Jan 11, 2021. Just mention this offer during your free consultation.
Nicole Sifuentes is a former professional runner and 2-time Olympian, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and full-time Running Coach for adults of all ages and abilities. Read more about her services, and schedule your free coaching consultation.