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The Effect of Seasonal Allergies

Quick Tip: Seasonal Allergies Don’t Have to Wreck Your Spring Runs

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Growing up, I really didn’t suffer from seasonal allergies at all.

But once I moved to Florida for college, I discovered just how miserable seasonal allergies can be.

The Effect of Seasonal Allergies

The Effects of Seasonal Allergies…

I don’t know what it is that I’m allergic to, but something down here gets me good in the spring and in the fall.

Or at least, something USED to get me…

My Un-Official Methods for Overcoming My Seasonal Allergies

Let me get this out of the way, I’m not guaranteeing that my methods will work for you.

I know a lot about running injuries, but seasonal allergies… Not so much.

That’s why I consider the following methods to be “un-official”; I think they’ve helped me virtually eliminate my allergy symptoms but I’m not 100% sure.

But I can honestly say that I haven’t had a bad allergy season in the past 3-4 years.

What has changed? Read more

Bored? You Can Rediscover the passion for Running, I Promise

Quick Tip: How to Rediscover the Passion for Running

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One of the most common suggestions/requests for content that I receive from you guys involve tips to rediscover the passion for running.

Bored? You Can Rediscover the passion for Running, I Promise

Bored with Running? You Can Rediscover the Passion, I Promise

I get it.

As much as I love running, there are times that running can become boring.

Or monotonous.

Or tedious.

Or any number of other adjectives that could be used to describe an ebb in passion for an activity that is near and dear to my heart.

The fact of the matter is that we all go through cycles where running goes from awesome to burdensome and back.

And while that may be perfectly normal, and it is you know, there are some strategies that you can employ that will help you to rediscover the passion for running once you realize that you’ve lost it.

5 Ideas to Help You Rediscover the Passion for Running

  • Variety is the Spice of Life: If your motivation for running is waning, one way to rediscover the passion is to introduce a little variety back into your running life. If you’re more of a distance runner, you could do this by adding a couple of local 5ks to your calendar and then mixing up your training for several weeks to focus more on improving your speed. Or you could go big here, and sign up for an obstacle course race like a Spartan or a Tough Mudder. (For some tips on finding the right obstacle race for you, check out my interview with Jay Bode who’s a big OCR fanatic.)
  • Adopt a Cause: One thing that always helps keep me motivated (in any area of life) is when I’m doing something for a reason much bigger than myself. If running is starting to wear on you a little bit, try signing up for a race and running to support a cause. Pick a cause that is near and dear to your heart, and you’ll not only rediscover the passion for running for yourself but you’ll be making a difference for others as well. (And if you don’t want to do it as part of an official race, get the Charity Miles app and make a difference every day.)
  • Help Out a New Runner: Remember when you first started running, and you didn’t know anything? You made all of the new runner mistakes (which we all have made, btw), you didn’t know any of the jargon, and had to learn everything the hard way? I can pretty much guarantee that someone in your town/area is thinking about getting started as a runner and doesn’t have a clue what he or she should do. Help them. Make a new friend, or see a new side of an old buddy, and be their “coach” as they dip their toes in the running water. Sure, the pace is going to be slow, but as they begin to find a joy for running with your help there’s a good chance you’ll be energized as well.
  • Mentor Others: This tip goes hand in hand with the previous one. In this case, recognize that there are probably some other runners in your area that are slower than you. If you’re dealing with a case of the running “blahs”, try slowing your pace and running/mentoring others that are slower than you. Maybe you’ll help them get faster (or maybe not, if that’s not one of their goals), but making new friends is a great way to rediscover the passion for running after things have gotten a bit stale.
  • Take a Break: You know what? Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. If running isn’t doing it for you at the moment, give yourself permission to take a break. Walking away from our sport for a few weeks or months (or even years!) doesn’t mean that you’re walking away from running forever. In my experience, taking a few weeks off from training is a great way to rediscover the passion for running because I realized I was almost taking running for granted. As soon as I stopped running, I started missing it. All of a sudden getting up early to run was enjoyable again, and so was running.

Take a Break from Running to Rediscover the Passion

This Too Shall Pass

If you find your motivation to run has diminished, take a breath.

It’s a normal thing.

Give yourself permission to skip a run or two, and see if that helps.

And if it doesn’t, try one (or more) of these tips that can definitely help you rediscover the passion for running that you’ve had in the past, and almost assuredly will have again in the future as well.

Not feeling your runs at the moment? Here are 5 tips to help you relight the fire for #running! #runchat Click To Tweet

What are Your Go To Tips/Tricks for Overcoming a Lack of Running Motivation?

No Left Turn: April Fools Day Running Prank

Quick Tip: April Fools Day Events for Runners I’d Like to See

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I’m honestly not the biggest fan of April Fools Day, largely because I’m not creative enough to come up with any creative/fun/harmless gags.

That said, last year was perhaps the most successful April Fools Day in my life. (I even got angry text messages from my wife, it was that good!)

How She Probably Looked While Sending Said Texts

How I Imagine She Looked While Sending Said Texts

Since there is little chance of me being able to pull off a good April Fools Day prank two years in a row, I’m not even going to try this year.

Sorry y’all… Read more

I Love a Good Podcast

Quick Tip: Podcast Recommendations (for Long Runs or Otherwise)

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If you’re not subscribed to several podcasts at this point, what are you waiting for?

Seriously, there is so much great content available for FREE that no matter what you are interested in you can find dozens of shows to listen to no matter what you’re interested in.

  • Random hobby? Guarenteed there’s a podcast about whatever random hobby you might have.
  • Favorite TV Show/Book Series/Movie? Yep, there’s a podcast (probably a dozen) out there.
  • Politics junkie? Saddle up for an “interesting” 2016 of podcast listening, no matter your political slant.
  • Looking to leave your job and start your own thing? There are too many business/entrepreneur shows to count!

So seriously, if you’re not listening to a variety other podcasts, you’re missing out.

I Love a Good Podcast

Need a Few Good Podcast Recommendations?

Here are some of my favorite non-running shows:

Read more

Lessons from the Olympic Trials

Quick Tip: Learn from the Pros aka Takeaways from the Olympic Trials

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Yeah, I know the Olympic Trials were over a month ago.

I know this post is now quite a bit less timely than it would have been had I posted it the week after the trials, like every other running coach/blogger did.

But I thought it would be good to be able to let some time pass and then reflect on the trials and what we as “not elite marathoners” can takeaway from watching the best runners in the USA duke it out on national television.

Lessons from the Olympic Trials

Lessons from the Olympic Trials

(Wouldn’t it be cute if the reason I’m doing this post now is that I had the foresight to leave time for reflection after the Olympic Trials instead of just now “getting to it”?)

At least I’m probably the only blogger/podcaster/coach still talking about the race from a month ago, so there’s that… Read more