Consistency

Consistency is key.  All the experts in any field, from business to running tell us consistency beats the highs and lows.  Stay the course, they say.  Keep moving in the right direction and you will reach your goals.  Slow and steady wins the race, says the turtle as he beats the hare.

Well, my running has not always resembled this motto.  I go out to fast.  I add mileage to prepare for a race without taking time to slow down and enjoy the ride.  Too much, too soon.  The result?  Usually an injury or a loss of passion.

Consistency . . . running with regularity

So, since hiring a running coach, the one thing I've noticed is consistency. Over the last several weeks, we have run essential the same plan with a few wrinkles added it and some muscle building exercises to add strength and injury resistance.  Every week, as I looked at my plan, I expected more miles or something else to change.  Every week, I was surprised to find a similar plan from the week before.

Now, I don't want to insinuate that the weeks were easy.  They did extend my capabilities.  Just not at a pace or style I was accustomed.  After a while, I began to wonder coach just copied from week to week to save time.  Now, after a little perspective, I realize he is doing things the right way.  The way we should, building consistency and miles slowly.  Developing a strong base to prepare for more miles and increase speed.  Essentially doing all of the things I haven't done up till now, and paid the price for my mistakes.

So, instead of viewing this as a short journey and I need to view this as a long trot.  And celebrate the consistency!

Till we run again . . .