đ¨Enter to Win a $100 gift card, see details below. đ¨
As we are nearing the end of the year, we looked back at our favorite blog posts this year. In case you missed any of these, we thought you'd enjoy these trail safety tips, running strategies, podcast compilations and more:
- HOW TO TRANSITION FROM ROAD RUNNING TO TRAIL RUNNING?
- HOW TO RUN DOWNHILL ON TRAILS
- UPHILL RUNNING AND POWER HIKING
- TRAIL RUNNING GEAR WITH COACH JIMMY DEAN FREEMAN
- 20 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR RUNNING
- FAVORITE PODCASTS WE LISTEN TO ON OUR RUNS
- HOW TO PROPERLY FUEL FOR LONG TRAIL RUNS
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10 SAFETY TIPS FOR TRAIL RUNNING AND HIKING
- TRAIL SAFETY FOR MOUNTAIN LION ENCOUNTERS AND ATTACKS
- TRAIL SAFETY FOR BEAR ENCOUNTERS AND ATTACKS
- TRAIL SAFETY FOR SNAKE ENCOUNTERS AND SNAKE BITES
đ¨To enter, let us know in the comments below what was 1 thing that you learned as in athlete in 2019? Winner will be announced on our blog. đ¨
138 comments
when running faster down hills, keeping my upper body forward a bit, over the hips, and feet in a fairly quick turnover, and have fun.
When you have things figured out you really donât. I changed up a lot of my beliefs in training and coaching and it really paid off
I learned you can get better as an athlete in a lot of different ways by setting different goals throughout the year. Having a diversity of goals not only keeps me improving consistently as a runner and an athlete generally, but it also makes the journey a more interesting and happier one.
I learned that I enjoy the process more when I give myself time to build fitness slowly after an injury rather than rush into the workouts I thought I need to get ready for a race.
Progress isnât linear. After having my best running year in 2018, I have had possibly the worst in terms of times, race completion and injury avoidance. All said, excited for 2020.
That I donât have to keep competing with the runner that I used to be, that still running and being healthy in my 60âs is pretty cool too.
If youâre not naturally talented and are also middle-aged, coming back from injury takes a really long time â be patient!
donât take yourself too seriously
Being a husband, father, teacher, coach, and a family man, consistency is key. Run often, sometimes fast!
Top thing learned â donât start a training cycle already behind the eight-ball. A plan to âcatch up as you goâ makes for a pretty difficult training cycle â lots of more difficult runs than I wished for and too many disappointing training days (missed paces, etc.). Set goals that push you, but make smart decisions about what your plan and target should be. Especially if youâve been at it a while, you know your body!