Uma is a story if inspiration. She shares the importance of consistency in training, and how following a training plan can help everyone remain accountable in the pursuit of their goals. But most importantly, Uma shares the benefit of the coach-athlete relationship and we at Runcoach are grateful for all of the runners we get to support.
Major milestone: Marine Corps Marathon 2018 - Ran it in 5:06, which is almost an hour faster than the last two times I ran the same race. 2016 - 6:01 and 2017 - 6:05 What is the secret to your success? Following the schedule given to me by Runcoach, which consisted of speed work, cross training and yoga. What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it? Consistent training and training alone combined to form the biggest obstacle for me. I trained alone for the most part, and was lucky enough to run with my local running group for a few of the final long runs. I tried to get over it by committing to reporting my workouts to the coaches at Runcoach and uploading my workouts through the app. What is the most rewarding part of training?
Published in
Runcoach Success Stories
Tagged under
We reached out to new mom Lauren Stroud, a Texas native, who is aiming to return to marathon racing this January at the 2019 Chevron Houston Marathon. Her preparation for this race will be different than what she is used to, as she rebuilds her endurance and mileage, Lauren will utilize the adaptive Runcoach training to help take her fitness from where it is now to where she wants it to be in January. With a new baby, Lauren needed a progressive plan and a supportive coaching environment, and we at Runcoach, are thrilled to work together towards her goals. She loves to race, and has her sights set to qualify and compete in the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon. We wish her the best in this journey.
Hello everybody! I am so excited to run my first Chevron Houston Marathon! I will have a little extra challenge this year, as I gave birth in August, and I'm learning how to manage my time wisely as a mom. My last marathon was in 2016, and while I love to race and get after shorter distances frequently, the marathon is a whole different challenge. I had never heard of Runcoach, but I absolutely love how convenient and easy the app is to use! Runcoach is an app that tailors training for you as an individual. As difficult as it is, I know I have to be patient with my body and my fitness and I believe that using Runcoach this year will help me ease into my training as I balance life as a working mom and runner. I started my transition back into training at 3 weeks post partum, and my first run back felt amazing because I missed running so much. I was fortunately able to run up until the day I delivered, but most of my last month of training before delivery consisted of run/walk intervals. Here's an example of how last week's training looked: Sunday - Long run Monday - Easy run Tuesday - Short leg turnover workout Wednesday - Easy run Thursday - Medium long run Friday - rest day Saturday - Easy run I can't wait to take my fitness to the next level with Runcoach! You can follow Lauren's road to the Houston Marathon (and see cute pictures of baby Sadie) on her instagram @Laurun123
Published in
Runcoach Success Stories
Tagged under
What's so Special about the Long Run?September 17, 2018You may have heard it, but we will say it again: The long run is the most important run of your week. First, the importance of the long run stems from the cells. Runs exceeding 60 minutes help create more capillaries within the system, the more capillaries in your body, the more efficient oxygen can be transported and delivered to your muscles. Thus, increasing your endurance level and ability to run faster and further. As you feel stronger, and you accomplish mileage you never thought possible, you gain confidence. You start to learn that you can push harder and longer than ever before, and that is huge for the mental game come race day. Next, the up and down weeks of mileage may look random, but we have a plan. We train you to run 2 weeks hard, 1 week easy. This cycle of training prepares the body as you work to build up fatigue, push through fatigue, and then recover. The adaptations that build fitness come when we soak up the training during the down week before increasing the mileage higher than before. For our marathon runners, these two challenging long run weeks back to back can help simulate the second half of the marathon with the accumulation of fatigue. Last, the long run is more about time on feet than actual miles covered. Exceeding more than 3.5 hours of running during training has been known to have diminishing returns. Meaning that running longer than 210 minutes can negatively affect your body’s ability to have quality in training and could leave you sick, overly fatigued, or injured. Depending on your pace, any run 16 miles and over will allow you to successfully finish the marathon distance. It’s important to trust the process and know that with a taper, you will feel strong and ready to conquer 26.2 miles at the peak of your training program. If you’re like me, you can’t wait for the next long run to get out the door and increase your body’s efficiency now that you know the goal of your most important run of the week.
Major milestone: Completed 165 races. What is the secret to your success? The secret to my success is being able to get in my training as much as possible for every marathon. Also, eating a healthy diet and continuously exercising keeps me fit. What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it? The biggest obstacle to reaching my goals was getting dehydrated during the 2017 LA Marathon. This was overcome by changing my diet and exercise routine. What is the most rewarding part of training? The most rewarding part of my training is being able to take rests. Also, getting medals after races is rewarding. What advice would you give to other members of the Runcoach community? Keep as close to running your assigned miles as possible. Anything else you would like to share? Runcoach is an excellent training program. It gives runners a sense of life outside of just training. It is a way runners can keep better track of their training schedule. It has many experienced runners who work for the program.
Published in
Runcoach Success Stories
Mantras for Mental Strength in RacingApril 05, 2022
"You're only as good as your training, and your training is only as good as your thinking." -Lauren Oliver
Article written by Neely Gracey Updated by Rosie Edwards If this is your first race ever, or your 1,000th race, in running, there are times where it gets tough while racing. Especially in the longer races. The doubts, negative thoughts, and emotions can sneak in and take over. Training your mind to focus on positive things will keep you moving forward towards your goals. The mantra you need today may change or evolve, or perhaps you need a few to get you through different parts of the race. Here are some ideas to get you started! Stronger Every Mile Run Grateful Chase The Dream Attitude Is Everything Every Mile Is A Gift I Can, I Will Fit, Fast, Fierce You Are Strong Focused Every Step Embrace The Struggle Breathe Trust The Process Be Strong Attitude Determines Direction Focus Ahead Never Give Up Relax Be Fearless Run Hard, Be Strong, Don't Quit Chase Progress Run With Ambition Feed Your Focus Run Inspired Believe In You Focus Determines Reality One Foot In Front Of The Other Conquer From Within Relentless Spirit Tough Times Don't Last Enjoy The Journey Strive For Progress Positive Mind, Positive Outcome Tips for the TaperJuly 25, 2018Tips for the Taper In running, the final phase of training is where you get sharp, peak, and taper. The last 1-3 weeks prior to a big race is where the emphasis is on all the fitness coming together at the right time. This part of training helps your body to mentally focus, gives you time to hydrate, fuel, and rest in preparation for your big goal. Here are some tips to maximize the final phase of training to get the most out of yourself on race day! Training Cut back some of the miles, but still keep some turnover workouts in the training that final week. This will keep your muscle tension in a good place so you don’t feel “flat” or heavy legged on race day. Psychological Take some time during the taper weeks to get your mind in the right place for race day. Look back at all the training you have done to prepare for your goal, and gain confidence in yourself and your fitness. Hydration Start an emphasis on hydration during your taper. This will help your body perform on race day! Fueling It is important to not over eat during the taper phase. However, be certain to get in good nutrients the few days leading into the race. You want to have all your energy stores filled and ready to carry you to a strong finish. Relax Focus on sleep, propping the feet up, and encouraging your muscles to repair and freshen up prior to race day. When you put all these tips together, it can bring you more confidence knowing you are trained, mentally prepared, hydrated, fueled, and rested… the key components to taking your goals from a dream to reality. Q&A with the Runcoach CEO and 2:12 marathoner, Coach Tom McGlynn, who shares some thoughts on including a half marathon race within your marathon training. If the athlete is preparing for a marathon, then I like to see them run a half marathon 4-7 weeks out. The reason we like it that far prior to the goal race is that we always recommend enough time to recovery after the half marathon. The recovery period is intended to spring board the athlete into the final marathon stage of training. 2.) Does practicing race day routine in a half marathon help your marathon? The actual practice of waking up, eating, drinking, going to the bathroom and arriving at the start line in plenty of time is most helpful. Some of the intra-race hydration is important as well. The half marathon should be thought of as a dress rehearsal for the marathon. 3.) Does a half marathon time accurately estimate your fitness for the marathon? The science suggests that if you double your half marathon time and add about 12 minutes, that would be your current fitness for the marathon. Meaning that a 2 hour half marathon converts to a 4:12 marathon. This is an extremely rough estimate, and doesn’t consider key variables such as weather, course variation (between half and full), the athlete’s health on either race day, the need for nutrition and hydration in a full marathon that isn't as important in a half marathon, the runner's form/efficiency, etc
Published in
Racing
Tagged under
Book Ideas for RunnersJuly 20, 2018
Are you heading to the beach for a final summer vacation? Or maybe you just want to spend some time relaxing by the pool, or lounging in the AC. No matter your intentions, if you want some quality reading, look no further.
Peak Performance by Steve Magness Insight into the commonalities of success. From athletes, to CEO's, to musicians, what drives performance? Run The World by Becky Wade The story of pro marathoner Becky Wade when she traveled the world to explore what it's like to live and train in other cultures and landscapes. Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor The American record holder for the Marathon, Deena Kastor, shares the story of how she achieved great things once she trained her mind to stay positive. Endure by Alex Hutchinson Learning to endure is a key trait to success. Using the mind to push a little further and a little faster. Pepper Jones Series by Ali Dean Sports fiction author and runner Ali Dean brings a high school runner girl to life in this easy-to-read story about the highs and lows of success in sports at a young age. How Bad do you Want it? by Matt Fitzgerald Mind over muscle is the mantra in this book as you learn to push your limits further than you thought possible. Running with the Buffalos by Chris Lear The true story of the 1998 men's cross-country team at the University of Colorado and their relentless focus for an NCAA victory. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand A talented runner forced to forego his Olympic dreams when drafted for WW2. Grit by Angela Duckworth Insight into the combination of passion+perseverance=grit and grit is one of the key ingredients to success. It's Core O'Clock SomewhereMarch 16, 2022
Jack Daniels, an exercise physiologist who inspired some of the Runcoach ideals, said "The stronger your core, the more solid you are as you hit the ground, this reduces the need for unnecessary stabilization, and allows you to be a more economical runner."
What are you waiting for? It's ABSolutely time to get to work. Here are some videos to help you get started. Side Planks 2-3 sets Works the internal and external obliques to build better core stability. Hamstring Bridge 2-3 sets Core is more than just your abs. One of the most common weaknesses we see in runners is their glutes which are the key powerhouse for propulsion with every step you take while running. Push-Ups 2-3 sets Works your arms, upper body, and core. Can be done on your knees to start, and then as you build up strength, you will be able to do a full push-up! Partner Punishment 2-3 sets If you don't have a partner to help you out in this exercise, you can do leg lower and left controlling the resistance of gravity on your own to get a deep core exercise Try to include core into your weekly routine and watch your form and strength increase! Welcome Hiruni Wijayaratne Thank goodness her smile and calm demeanor makes her approachable, because while running, Hiruni is a fierce competitor. She holds 10 National Records for Sri Lanka, a marathon personal best of 2:36, and a passion for chasing her goals and helping others do the same. It doesn’t stop there, Hiruni brings her A game to the office too, where she has taken over as the Business Development and Sales Lead, but she does so much more than that. Hiruni is also one of our world-class coaches, and enjoys answering your questions and sharing her experience as both coach and athlete. We believe that Hiruni brings a lot of value to us as a company, and to you as our customer. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to have Hiruni on your support team to help you achieve your goals.
Published in
New Features
|
Blog Categories
|