When runners focus purely on their finishing times, they close themselves off to the awesome experiences that can be found in competition, challenging courses, and going outside their comfort zone. In this podcast, I share why you might not want to be so concerned with your finish times and instead just let improvement come as you train from season to season. You can enjoy all the running world has to offer while simultaneously getting faster and stronger.
I was recently inspired by the practice Vincent Pugliese calls “The Hour of Giving,” to make generosity a clear focus of my life. Passionate runners are great at chasing their own personal goals, but sometimes this comes at a cost of being too selfish for our own good. Being generous to others not only feels amazing, but when you help others succeed, so do you. Here are five ways you can be more generous through running, develop amazing friendships, and grow your network.
I was nearly in tears last night after my high-school team’s cross country meet. In this episode, I share a story about dedication, perseverance, and the power of teamwork.
Warming up before your race is essential to performing your best. The timing of the warm-up is critical but unfortunately many athletes get it wrong. In this episode, I share how to make your warm-up routine actually worthwhile.
In this episode, I talk about why you should sign up for two “tune-up” races before your next marathon. I discuss the many benefits of running tune-up races, how to schedule them, and share two different strategies for how to approach them.
In this episode, I share my top five strategies that all runners should be implementing if their goal is to get faster. Along the way, I expose some common strategies that simply DON’T work.
Your job as an athlete is to take the steps necessary to unlock your talent and then step out of the way to give it the opportunity to shine. You never know when the talent inside of you is going to truly take flight, but if you are progressing from season to season then you are on the right path.
Are you living the athletic life you want now? Or is your focus misaligned with your most important goals and values? Join Coach Chris for this exercise in designing your best running life.
Runners tend to think in the short term about their past performances and define themselves by their last run, workout, or race. But you are far more than just your last run. Whether it went well or poorly, the athlete you are is the summation of all you’ve done to get to this point. Reflect on your accomplishments to be self-confident and know when you are pushing yourself the road is always rocky.
Each running season builds upon the next when you give it the opportunity to do so. I train athletes for life, not train them for races. Here’s why.
Running Shoes - Brooks Launch Running Shoes - I have been wearing these running shoes for years. I've easily worn through over a dozen pairs. They are light, fast, well-cushioned, and very affordable. They are perfect for easy days, long runs, and marathon-training workouts.
GPS Running Watch - Garmin Forerunner 45 - I love Garmin watches. If you do not yet own a GPS running watch, buy one now. This model is small and lightweight, making it perfect for running fast and racing. GPS watches are one of the best tools you have to monitor and improve your running. Getting my first Garmin helped get me hooked on this sport.
Identification Safety Bracelet - Road ID Silicone Wristband - I never leave home without my Road ID. It's engraved with My Name, Year of Birth, Allergies, City of Residence, and Emergency Contact Info for my wife and dad. Wearing my Road ID allows me to leave my driver's license at home when I run and have peace of mind.
Energy Gels - GU Energy "Tastefully Nude" Flavor - GU Energy Gels are my go-to fuel for marathon training. I suggest taking one every 30 to 45 minutes during long runs, half marathons, and marathons. The "tastefully nude" flavor is easy to get down and has a mild sweet taste.
Protein Powder - Momentous Essential Plant-Based Protein Powder - It's critically important to refuel after a workout or long run within 30-minutes of completion. Making a smoothie or shake with Momentous Protein Powder is an easy and healthy way to jump start your recovery process. Their chocolate flavor is delicious even when mixed with just water.
Anti-Chafe Balm - Body Glide Original Balm - Better safe than sorry! I rub Body Glide balm all over my feet and "sensitive" areas before any important race, workout, or long run. Save yourself from nasty blisters, chafing, or bleeding with a little lubricant.
Recovery Tool - ProStretch Calf Stretcher - This one is a curve ball! My wife introduced me to this tool after I developed tight calves from running. The ProStrech Calf Stretcher can help you get a deeper and more effective stretch than conventional methods. This improved flexibility and range of motion may help relieve, rehab and alleviate plantar fasciitis, shin splints, tight calves and achilles tendonitis, as well as enhance overall performance.
The links above are affiliate links, meaning if you click through on a link and buy a product I may earn a small commission. This has not influenced the products I listed here at all, but buying through these links is a nice small way for you to support what I do.
