Evan White

Going out and running is a part of my lifestyle. I’m consciously trying to improve my times and distances, pushing to find my limits. A big part of that push is regulating my motivation, and making sure I’m doing things to maintain my enthusiasm and focus.

I used to be a casual runner and transitioned into more serious running.  I would drive to the country and wander for miles. Other times I would run to the next town over along the side of the highway. No watch, distance goal, target pace. It was more of an adventure; a chance to explore. I love to get outside and run.

Today I strap on a hear rate monitor and GPS watch before I head out. I will follow (loosely) a training plan, and mix in speed, strength, tempo, and long runs. Its more or less the same game but with tools to passively collect data and give feedback if I want it. I’ll make sure that I keep a pace that pushes me, makes me faster and more efficient. This attention to performance doesn’t take away from the run, I have been looking forward to my runs even more.

Motivation

These are the things I remind myself to do. I’m presenting them as advice…but to myself. Take it with a grain of salt and to what works for you. Keep in mind I have no idea what I'm doing"

Keep a record of your accomplishments. Take note of your race times to remind yourself of where the bar is set because, unless you’re one of the best, your main source of competition is most likely your former self. Celebrate your accomplishments with friends, running buddies, or even running subreddit where you can post your accomplishments on Sunday.

Set goals. Its so cliche it makes me uncomfortable to write it. Just do it, make them SMART, and revisit them regularly. Enough said.

I challenged myself to run an ultra distance run, and then ran it. I’m going to try to beat my Marathon PR as well as run a half iron. On the day to day, I have an idea of my target pace at different distances and know what I want to accomplish (generally) before I set out.

Marathon: 3'15" ~7:26 pace
Half: 1'25" ~6:30 pace
5K: 18" ~5:47 pace

Don’t get too caught up on the data. You don’t need a fancy watch, or complex analytics unless; they are a nice to have distraction (from things other than running). You can keep pace with a stopwatch on a track, and you should be able to find your target pace after some trial and error.

That being said, make sure to get some feedback from your workouts and that includes data, video, or advice from coaches. There are often clinics to help with running form, often with video feedback that can be really instructive, or you can check out books and websites on POSE or Chi running. Having a running log can be the reminder to add miles or take it easy.

Read books! I started reading books by ultramarathoners and when you see what people can accomplish it expands you’re expectations for what is possible. Born to Run by Christopher McDugall (or see his TED Talk) is a widely read book that reads like an adventure and introduces a lot of hot running topics: barefoot running, human physiology, diet (running vegan, hydrating with chia seeds). I’ve read books by Scott Jurek Alberto Salazar, and everything Dean Karnazes has written. After I finish the book in a marathon reading session I always go out for a crazy distance run.

Pay attention to diet because your energy and recovery depend on it. More than that, when you eat with the intention of fueling your run its easier to make good choices and harder to justify poor ones.