QT: Stop Trying to Do All the Things Perfectly

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As I’ve talked about a few times, at least, over the years, running isn’t always as straightforward as we might like.

The actual running part is relatively simple: right, left, right, left, rinse and repeat.

All the other things? The so-called “little things” that go along with our sport?

The Perfect Formula is a Myth

Strength training. Yoga. Sleep. Diet. Hydration. Foam rolling.

That’s just the tip of the little things iceberg.

It’s important for us as runners to try and do all the things that support our growth within the sport.

But when it comes down to it, it’s really hard to do all the things perfectly all the time.

So my advice? Stop trying.

The Weed Conundrum

If I may, here’s a bit of a story that may help illustrate the point I’m trying to make here.

I’m officially that guy that weeds his yard.

As I’ve been pulling weeds recently, I keep wrestling with the “right way” to rid my yard of the weeds.

Do I start in one area, pull all the weeds in that one area before moving to the next?

Do I pull the biggest weeds first, no matter where in the yard they have taken root?

Or just bounce around, pulling weeds willy-nilly, with no concrete method to the madness?

Near as I can tell, it doesn’t matter.

As long as weeds are being pulled consistently, I’m making progress toward my goal, right?

Back to Running and the Little Things

Back to the subject at hand, all the things that support your running.

What little things are the most important? Which can be a bit done a bit more intermittently? And are there any that you can just forget about completely?

I’m not going to pretend like it’s not important that you do all the things, because I believe it is.

But I think some of us can be a bit guilty of overthinking at times, and try too hard to crack the code of “perfect” instead of just doing.

Feeling a bit tight? Then do some extra yoga or foam rolling.

Go a bit harder on the strength training at some points of the year, back off a bit (but still do it!) at other points.

More cross-training. Less cross-training.

As long as you’re doing something, you’re helping to move yourself forward.

Just like me and my weeds.

No matter what strategy I’m following, I have fewer weeds in my yard every time I pull one.

If you consistently do all the things over time?

You’ll be healthier, fitter, and closer to your goals as a result.

Doing the little things is more important than doing them perfectly. #runchat Click To Tweet

How Consistently Do You Do All the Things?

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