EP 536: Seven Simple Rules For a Successful Long Run

Andy Jones-Wilkins joins to talk about seven simple rules to consider for a successful long run.  This list is not comprehensive and we may have follow up episodes.

1. Don’t run a single hill (the definition of a hill varies by fitness level)
2. Run all downs, (unless the hill taxes the knees, quads, or risk a fall)
3. Start early with a purposeful walk/run rhythm.  Keep the body fresh, do not put yourself in a catch up position.   EVERY time you shift from a run to a walk, use this mantra, “Walk with purpose!”   Walking with a purpose is effective and a strategy.  
4. Manage the aidstations, show up with a plan. .  Let a volunteer fill your hydration. Next, take care of your gear and medical.  Select your fuel, eat it as you walk out.  (No loitering)   You cover an enormous amount of ground when you purposefully walk.  
5. Monitor anything that feels slightly off; calories, hydration, electrolytes, salt on face, salt on shirt, color of urine, cramping, stomach, apply lube to anything hot (chaffage) and listen to negative mental chatter.  Negative chatter is your body’s way of telling you that you need to change something, if you push through the early warning sign, catastrophe is around the corner.
6. Give yourself permission to back off your effort and recapture anything that isn’t working or needs correcting. Most issues can be solved by backing off the pace.  Give it time and you can return to your gameplan.  SCOTT has a story for this one
7. Trust your math.  Stay with your plan.  Worrying requires energy.  You need that energy to finish the run.   (Do all the math before the run)And share it with your crew/pacer

Don’s video from Moab 240 we mentioned

Hire Andy as a coach! or check out his weekly Tap Room at iRunFar