The change in training has made me stronger, not the expected result #Running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

When I decided to stop adhering to the training schedule letter for letter, and basically throw out the tempo training I didn't expect to get stronger. Instead I expected that I might lose a little strength, especially on my long runs. And while it may be too early to definitively tell, it certainly appears that the opposite is true.

Long Run

This last Sunday was a good example of what I mean. Ordinarily on my long runs I was forced to take my pacing breaks about every mile. Even on this one I only had 3 such breaks over nearly 8 miles of distance.

Now it is possible that I mentally just flipped a switch and stopped letting meyslef slack once I stopped trying to push for those really long distances. But I prefer to think that giving myself a break from the pounding of the tempo runs is what has made the difference.

And that is clear even on the shorter runs, even today, on Day 3 in a row, after nearly 15 miles in 3 days I only felt a need for one short break. And I feel stronger when I do call it a day.

So, call it mental, call it physical, call it whatever, anyway you slice it I have somehow become a more durable runner recently, able to go longer distances with fewer rest breaks. And I am content with that.