Julie Sapper Helps Runners Reach Their Potential Through Run Farther and Faster

Today I am going a few easy miles with Julie Sapper.

Julie Sapper

Julie is a veteran of several Boston Marathons and is competitive in virtually every race she enters in the D.C. area.

She’s also one half of the coaching duo behind Run Farther & Faster.

Embrace the Unknown

Julie enjoys racing and pushing her limits, but she learned an important lesson early on.

If she were to continue to enjoy racing, she realized she would have to embrace other race distances.

Challenging oneself with new distances and courses is a helpful way to stay motivated and excited about training.

Two decades of running has taught Julie to be realistic about PR’s.

Rather than always trying to obtain a PR, she tries to get her best time of the year.

Runners can’t stop the aging process, but they can learn to be mindful of weaknesses and train smart.

This Episode Is Sponsored By: Audible

 Be The Best “Recoverer” You Can Be

Julie Sapper and Lisa Reichmann

A large part of being a coach is helping her clients recognize when to scale back.

Stubbornness is a quality that the majority of runners possess and it can be as detrimental as it is helpful.

Julie recommends the “Palm Pointer Test,” to distinguish between injury and soreness.

Use your index finger to point to a spot and if it’s tender that signifies a potential injury.

The other half of the test is taking your palm and rubbing it over the area.

If you’re able to rub your palm over the area without major discomfort then it’s most likely general soreness.

There is nothing weak about taking time off.

If injury does strike, change your mindset and be the best “recoverer” you can be.

Boston Veteran

Having run the Boston Marathon 10 times, it’s safe to call Julie a veteran.

She has experienced all types of weather in Boston ranging from a Nor’easter for her first one to the most recent drastic weather in 2018.

Rain Suits at the 2018 Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is close to her heart and each year she has a special story that she can recall relating to each one she has run.

Training for Boston was made possible by her former coach, who passed away suddenly in 2010.

He inspired her to, “Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.”

Some coaching tips she picked up through her mentor and along the way are:

• ENJOY the process
• Tailor your training (Look at your strengths and weaknesses)
• Strength train
• Get enough sleep

Julie works with runners all over the world and focuses on each runner’s story, talents, and goals.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Army 10 Miler
• Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
• Annapolis 10 Mile Run
• Marine Corp Marathon

Check out Run Farther and Faster and stay connected with Julie by following her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Julie Sapper is a veteran runner and coach that shared some of the best coaching advice I've ever heard on the show! #runchat #running Click To Tweet

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