What's the best running advice you've ever been given?

rublerv wrote:

In the ’60s, through Track & Field News, the New Zealand and Australian runners would be invited to compete in the Modesto and Coliseum Relays on the West Coast. Peter Snell, Ron Clarke, Murray Halberg, Alex Henderson, Alan Lawrence and Pat Clohessy would stay at my parent’s house. I was fortunate to run with all of them.

I remember Ron Clarke asking me “what is the most important part of your workout?”. I think I said “warmup”. He said, “Not even close, the most important part of your workout is putting on your shorts”.

I have never forgotten that. Now in my late 70’s I still do that every morning except Sundays.

That was some upbringing. Expanding on what you said, Ron once told me that Gordon Pirie once told him, Ron, that the hardest thing about running was "getting changed." Ron said he'd always found that to be true and so he had a rule that he never had to run if he didn't want to but he always had to change into his running clothes.

"While you are sleeping, someone else is training. Be someone." -- unknown origin

"I don't ever want to see you do that again."

This was my high school coach to me right after I finished second in a sprint finish of a two-mile. It was neck and neck to the line and I let up.

I felt devastated after that comment. The next week was the state qualifier and the race played out exactly the same, except this time the other guy was second. That comment completely changed how I saw the end of races from then on.

rando from filly wrote:

I always really liked this quote from Paul Tergat (obviously not advice given to me):

"Ask yourself: can I give more? The answer is usually yes."

One of my favourites! Used it in racing a couple of times.

40 some years ago a girlfriend gave me "The Non-Runner's Book". It's loaded with advice.

"Give it a mile."

It applies to injuries, bad weather, feeling tired, just not being eager to run, etc. Usually things seem better once you get going; the important thing is to GET going.

Eat well, sleep well, drink in moderation, lose the pudge, race fast.

malmo wrote:

"While you are sleeping, someone else is training. Be someone." -- unknown origin

There was a version of that, "When you aren't training someone else is. When you race him he'll win" that Tom Fleming kept on a sign in his bedroom. Don't know if he made it up or got it from someone. There was a story that George Young got himself out for his morning run by telling himself, "Those Russians have been training for hours."

HRE wrote:

malmo wrote:

"While you are sleeping, someone else is training. Be someone." -- unknown origin

There was a version of that, "When you aren't training someone else is. When you race him he'll win" that Tom Fleming kept on a sign in his bedroom. Don't know if he made it up or got it from someone. There was a story that George Young got himself out for his morning run by telling himself, "Those Russians have been training for hours."

I never heard of Tom Fleming until 1975. That was our mantra in 1970.

Also our coach implored us with, "The only thing on your minds in a race should be a seven letter word -- 'DOMINATE'" It was three years before we figured out DOMINATE has eight letters!

There is no such thing as magic on race day. Choose a sensible goal race day pace and train so that pace feels like jogging. Consistency is key.

Also, some wise words from Rupp re keeping training on point and the mental game tight. He speaks for about 3 1/2 min, starting at 12:00.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAyFiC9HGdc&feature=emb_logo

Don Paige, great half miler for Villanova: "You only get one move per race."

I think it's true in the 800 on the whole, well Steve Ovett in the '80 Olympics had all sort of tricks up his sleeve, but he was Steve Ovett.

In the mile, you might get a couple cracks at it if you're fit and smart.

1, Slow down on easy days. I went from running 6:15 pace to 7:15 pace and got a lot faster.

2. Run a lot of mileage. When mileage is consistently over 100, how fast I run is a night and day difference from 80 mpw.

3. Sub tempo all long runs. These got me super fit for every event from mile to marathon.

A lot of smaller ones helped, but those are the big three.

Real Lyfe Nobodee wrote:

3. Sub tempo all long runs. These got me super fit for every event from mile to marathon.

What do you mean by "sub tempo"?

The worst advice I was ever given:

"Long slow runs make long slow runners"

... so I agree with your best advice one, "run slow to run fast".

I did crazy fast rep sessions in high school with very low milage, the result was never breaking 5:10 in the 1600m, and never breaking 11:50 in the 3200 or 19 min in 3 mile XC races. At 34 I returned to running after a long absence running 50 miles per week-ish, mostly at 9-10min/mile. Just ran 4 1500m races in the past couple months, all well under 4:40, at age 36! My half marathon pace these days is my high school XC pace.

2 Advices

First, Stretch and Refuel Immediately Post-Race

There’s a natural temptation when you finish a race to collapse on the ground and bask in your own private glory. Avoid that. Warm Ups and Cool Downs are both integral part of races and Runs

Second, When you start your run, Pick and choose different routes. Single tracks, forest bridleways, steep hills, open fields, coastal paths, the options are endless.

By doing so that is changing up the terrain, both mind and body will continue to be inspired and your motivation for running will be forever simmering.

ery5 wrote:

Real Lyfe Nobodee wrote:

3. Sub tempo all long runs. These got me super fit for every event from mile to marathon.

What do you mean by "sub tempo"?

Start your tempo run slower than your imaginary tempo run pace. Build the pace comfortably.

It's a variation of "Train, don't strain "

You get more "Quality work" done this way .

Training Lore wrote:

ery5 wrote:

What do you mean by "sub tempo"?

Start your tempo run slower than your imaginary tempo run pace. Build the pace comfortably.

It's a variation of "Train, don't strain "

You get more "Quality work" done this way .

Sub-Tempo is just fancy language for something slower than your normal tempo pace. For example, if your true threshold / tempo pace is 5:30/mi (you could sustain this for an hour’s race), running your long run at “sub-tempo” might be something ranging from 5:50-6:15/mi. Basically marathon pace or a bit slower or faster depending on your fitness.

thrice a runner wrote:

Training Lore wrote:

Start your tempo run slower than your imaginary tempo run pace. Build the pace comfortably.

It's a variation of "Train, don't strain "

You get more "Quality work" done this way .

Sub-Tempo is just fancy language for something slower than your normal tempo pace. For example, if your true threshold / tempo pace is 5:30/mi (you could sustain this for an hour’s race), running your long run at “sub-tempo” might be something ranging from 5:50-6:15/mi. Basically marathon pace or a bit slower or faster depending on your fitness.

Thanks guys.

Best advice? Must be this " you just need to run half the mileage you think is necessary to reach

your best performances "