Perception of Effort and Listening to Your Body
Two of the things I think are most important in the midst of a training season are perception of effort and listening to your body. Both are very individualized and take some experience, but could end up making a world of difference to a successful and healthy training cycle.
Perception of effort is really about taking a day or two a week where you run completely based on feel. If you wear your watch, I suggest tucking it away and waiting to look until the end. This run is not about the pace you think you should be running. It is about the pace your body wants to run that given day. And while this may mean slower on the days you are tired, it could also mean faster on the days your feel good! While I am all about a good GPS watch, there are certainly days that it should be left at home. Don't let your watch determine how you feel about every single run. It isn't fair to your body.
Speaking of your body, it should definitely have a say in what you are doing day in and day out. It might be screaming at you to take a day off. Or maybe there is something going on with your left shin that you have been ignoring. This is also when flexibility in training comes in handy. If you are set for a hard run on a certain day and your body isn't up to it, it may not be a day to push. Our bodies are our best tools. Take time to listen adjust and give it the extra love it might need (ice, sleep, water, etc.).
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Leah Bohr
Director of Training
Chicago Area Runners Association
