Think Long Term | A Few Tips for More Confident Running

There needs to be a long-​​term approach to preparing for PT tests in the Army. I don’t know how things are done in the other branches, but as a Soldier, in a predominately all male unit, testosterone and being ‘hooah’ is of high quantity during PT.

What are you doing the other hours of the day to better your running. Do you want to run a 14.00 2-​​mile? 13:00? 10:00?

Is having your buddy screaming at you ‘lets go!’ for a 15 minute early morning run or running at a pace far too fast or too slow really doing you any good? I am sure there are some of you out there who hear what I am saying.

Listen, you don’t have to be a hero for 20 minutes of your PT morning trying to keep up with the top dogs. You will be doing more harm than good. What you can do is get into your own rythm and roll with it.

You may not be with the front group just yet but if you do your homework and consistently find some enjoyment with running then you may be the one pushing them a few months down the road.

It is a matter of patience and how badly you want it. This isn’t an instant gratification sport. Results come slow so your thinking should be long-​​term. How can I better my PT test 12 weeks from now.

Running isn’t easy, most choose to hide from it and do push ups or anything else but run. I think balance is good so having a cross fit or strength training session during the week is important (if that works for you) but to run faster and get stronger, you need to run more, period.

I don’t expect folks to enjoy hard training and running like I do just as I would not expect myself to enjoy doing pull ups and front back go’s like some of my counterparts. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Personally, I’d rather do a 30 mile run than do 15 pull ups.

‘High speed, low drag’ training is doing what is best for you and getting the most out of the short time you actually are running during PT. The problem lies in the fact that there is so much structure (which, in most cases, there should be) that goes with organized PT, that it isn’t always easy to train at a pace suitable for you.

Ability group runs are fine, as long as there is an understanding with the group you are in that it is not a race. If the pace quickens, you back off. I have known athletes who burn themselves out by trying to measure up within group training. Get out of that way of thinking. There is nothing wrong with backing off, if the pace is substantially too fast.

You are using more common sense listening to what your body is telling you, rather than running too hard and ending up at a walk. Remember, it is a long term focus you have to look at. You won’t run with top level guys and gals in your unit in one run so don’t try to if you are not able to.

Give yourself some time, be patient and let your body adapt. The results will come and they will be noticeable.

Do you want to be a better runner?

#1 Take your time and don’t rush into fitness. It doesn’t work like that anyway. The reason Soldiers who are weak or dread and shy away from running is that they have not spent enough time on their feet. It is a matter of being consistent.

The more time you spend putting in miles the more lethal you are going to be come time to do those 8 laps around the track or 2-​​miler on the streets. My old Sergeant Major while stationed in Belgium, CSM Theresa King, has a nickname ‘No Slack’.  I always loved that.

If you truly want to get your 2-​​mile time down, be a better runner, stronger in those group runs…then you have to have a ‘no slack’ mindset to your future training. You already have every tool you need between your ears. Use it.

You don’t have to be out running 7 days a week but I guarantee you, regardless how bad of a runner you think you are, with patience and the willingness to gradually put in mileage, you will surprise yourself at how much easier it will get.

#2 Think long-​​term. It takes roughly 21 days for your body to adapt to any stress you place on it. Be patient, make long term goals. I want to run this many miles this week. I want to increase the pace of this run on this day. I want to spread my daily runs out a little bit further. One step at a time.

#3 Don’t be afraid to be the odd man (woman) out. If your group is taking off and you know it is far too fast for your own good, be wise enough to do the right thing and back off. Who cares if your the rear end of the run or dead last.

You have to have a starting point! If last is your starting point, so be it, but stay consistent and keep trying.

A Message to Those of You who Have Fallen out of Runs

Know this, you are a good runner. You simply haven’t put in enough time on your legs to find out how good you can be. Think of something you can do well. Why are you so great at what you do? Is it not repetition and probably years of intense focus? You have found a drive for it but was it that way in the beginning?

I have known countless runners over the years who hated it when they first started but the more they trained, the less taxing and easier running became. They did not even have to think about it anymore. It was practiced over and over. I am sure some of you could take apart and put together an M16 blind folded in record time.

Running is no different. To be good at it, like anything else you do, the desire and focus has to be there. Running 5 miles a week is not going to make you a stronger runner and will not better your 2-​​mile time.

It isn’t enough work and when you are preparing for an all-​​out 2-​​mile (after a taxing 2 minutes of all-​​out sit ups and push ups) how is running 10 minute miles going to help you? I want you to think about it.

It is not that you are a bad runner or other runners in your squad, battery, company etc are simply better than you. You can be just as good (or better), granted you are willing to make the initiative and sacrifice some time to see what you can really do. Running can be fun once you get into it. It is not fun when you first start out. You have to give yourself a chance.

Running involves patience and persistence. Those are the two lethal factors in being a better runner. I don’t think there are two more powerful explanations for what it takes to start getting results as a runner that these.

Your falling out of runs because you see running as more pain than pleasure and you will never see the pleasure in it if you continue to think of it in that light (easier said than done, I know, but I also know what happens when the body adapts). In addition, you haven’t built up your engine enough to get you through the distance. I could take anyone who was struggling on their runs and 12 weeks down the road turn their thinking and running in the right direction.

My most recent post on my site, No Limit Running | How Placing No Limits on Yourself Can Impact Your Race could be of assistance in your future runs with your group. Remember, faith without works is dead. Running involves work to see the results but I can assure you, if you are willing to spend more time on your feet and do the work when noone is looking (weekends and off-​​hours), you will surprise yourself at what can be done. I have lived it. It isn’t fluff.

You have what it takes!

Nate

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