Spring clean your routine

Spring is here!
It's a great time for running bc the weather is (usually) mellow, the days are longer, and races are right around the corner (... or already here).
I LOVE racing, but finish lines are like the summit of a mountain.
As​ Brad Stulberg describes in his recent book on Excellence​, finish lines/peaks/goals give us something to aim for (which is great), but 99.99% of the time... we're on the side of the mountain.
Deep in daily work.
Enjoy the top, but live for the sides.
How can you do that?

• Pick some fun new routes to run (esp on the weekends if you have time to travel a bit more)
• Find a race distance you haven't tried before (like me and my trail ultra)
• Try out a new running club (bonus points if they bring in vendors and you can get some swag or try out new shoes)
• Run without headphones once a week, think of it as a moving mediation
• Get a fun new snack for long runs, gels are great... but have you tried Nerd Clusters yet???
• Prioritize some yoga, Pilates, or ​strength training​ as you let your body recovery from winter training

Running can be a slog sometimes, but you can do some spring cleaning to your routine and put more fun & spicy into that 99.99%


Side of the mountain isn't that bad.


And now an exercise form tip.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know!


Step Ups are one of my favorite leg, specifically glute, exercises... when done correctly.
Make sure to push through the heel of the leg on the step/block/stair. The other foot can touch the ground (mostly for aiming), but don't bounce off of it.
​

I tell clients to tap their heel down, instead of the toe, to avoid this.