QT: Calling an Audible is Not the End of the World in Your Training

This wasn’t the quick tip I had planned for this week, yet here we are.

The topic I had planned for today just wasn’t coming together.

Will it come together down the road? More than likely.

But instead of continuing to try and force the square peg into a round hole, I decided that calling an audible was the better choice.

So, like I said, here we are.

Calling an Audible in Your Running

As runners, I think a lot of us get stuck into the idea that we “have” to do this, that, or the other.

It’s Tuesday, so I have to do my speedwork.

Or it’s Monday, so I have to take my rest day.

Or it’s Saturday, so I’m obviously going to be running long today.

I’ve made no secret about the fact that I believe having a consistent routine is a huge asset to us as runners.

But that doesn’t mean that you can’t veer from the script on occasion.

On such occasions? Calling an audible is exactly the right choice to make.

The Dichotomy That Exists

If you’re not careful, this can become a slippery slope in a hurry!

On occasion? Calling an audible is totally fine.

But if you’re changing things up on the fly just about every day? That might be taking things a bit too far.

The reason, in my opinion, that having a consistent routine is so beneficial is that it takes the guesswork out of the equation.

Instead of having to make a decision about what you’re going to do in training every single day of the week, a routine makes it simple.

Monday is an off day. Tuesday is a hard workout. Saturday is a long run.

Trying to decide, on the spot, what you’re going to do every day just makes your running more of a struggle.

On the days you’re not really feeling it? It’s easy to just say not today.

But if you have your default plan already in place? You’re more likely to stick to the script and head out for your miles.

More often than not? You get a mile or two in and you’re good to go.

When that doesn’t happen? When the struggle is real?

Call an audible. Adjust the schedule. Keep moving forward.

My Advice?

When it comes to calling an audible, I’d encourage you to follow the KISS principle as much as possible.

In most cases, the fewer moving parts the better.

So instead of trying to rearrange a whole week’s worth of workouts (or more!), try to make the fewest adjustments possible.

If that means “only” running three days this week instead of five, cool.

No speedwork this week? No big deal.

Forgoing the long run? It’s hardly the end of the world.

Call your audible. Make your adjustments.

Then? As quickly as you can, get back to your regularly scheduled routine.

How Willing are You to Deviate from Your Training Schedule When Life Happens?

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