Thursday, March 19, 2009

TIaRT: Spring Training Tips

It's TIaRT time, once again. Today's topic is tips for spring training.

I guess I'll be upfront and say, I have no street cred with regards to this subject. This is my second spring of running. Last spring, I was sporadic, at best.

But, as many people do, I will pontificate regardless.

Tip #1 - Don't do too much too fast. It's not like I listen to this tip, though. Exhibit A: cardinal sins post. So do as I say, not as I do (another good quality of someone spouting off).

But, it is important to heed this. You may have been cooped up inside all winter and are ready to bust out, remembering where you were at the end of the fall. If you haven't been working out in the winter, you're probably not where you were months ago.


Tip #2 - Run with someone. It's a lot easier when you have someone out there with you. That person doesn't want to let you down (ideally), and you don't want to let that person down (again, ideally). Plus, you can chat and all that good stuff while grinding out the miles.

Alas, my running buddy is moving away this weekend. Not that she and I have been running a lot together lately for various reasons, but it still stinks. I did like running with her, and I like running with others. Blah. So, there's the second tip I'm going to be disregarding.

Tip #3 - Have fun.

(I can do that one at least.)


So, aside from TIaRT.. last night, I went out without my Garmin. I went and chugged up a monster hill. It was sprinkling. The fresh smell of rain. A breeze in the air.
And, that's as poetic as I can get.

It was awesome, though. 4 miles down, I felt great. I almost wished it was raining more. And to think, I used to not run in the rain.

Oh, and I have no idea about the 'Friend Connect' thing. I saw a bunch of people post that, so I figured I'd be a follower. I thought it was supposed to include the 'following' crew, but it obviously doesn't. No idea how it works, how it's different or anything like that.

Keep on rockin' everyone!

13 comments:

tfh said...

Oops, I forgot about tip #1 in my post, which is of course the most important advice. However, I'm proud to say I also pontificated regardless of lack of street cred. :)

Marcy said...

I clicked into that Friend thing last night via your blog. I guess it's different but the same as following?!? I was too scared to commit to it (you have to sign up) because I didn't want to lose my precious readers LOL.

Yes I agree with running without Garmin. It's sooo nice to relax and not worry about pace :-)

And G! Yyyeaaahhh I beat you! :P

Marcy said...

Ohhh wait nevermind. I was obviously coked up last night :P I guess it IS the same thing. DOH!

I'll go back to my hole now LOL

Denise said...

I'm so addicted to my garmin. I keep telling myself to leave it at home one day, but I never do!

Unknown said...

The 'have fun' part is so important to keep everything else moving. Great job with the run!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

great tips, but ya, having fun is so important! ya, that friend connect thing is a little odd, only seen that on your blog so far!

joyRuN said...

Heck yeah to having fun!

I think running without the Garmin really helped with my long run over the weekend. I couldn't obsess about how far/how fast/etc.

Annoying to have to round out my numbers though.

X-Country2 said...

All great tips. Although I'm like you in the "do as I say" category. :o)

Anonymous said...

I think tip #1 is so important. Even after you have been running for a while you forget to take things slow.

No Longer Using said...

what are your best tips to have fun with running? :) i think finding a few short races really helps as well as surprising yourself,... i'm hoping that signing up for trail races is going to be "fun"...!!! :) we shall see :)

Shannon said...

"It was awesome, though. 4 miles down, I felt great. I almost wished it was raining more. And to think, I used to not run in the rain."

Awesome bro! I love running in the rain, but it must be in the summer. I've got ice cubes running through my veins so I get chilled really easy. BTW, I think your a great runner.

Cindy said...

nice tips. i sometimes forget about the fun part when my head is stuck in the training calendar worrying about missing things here and there. it definitely has to be fun or what's the point. i agree with lacey that the short races help!

Lauren @ mostly i run said...

Oh no -- sounds like you need some new running buddies! Any running clubs or organized runs from running shops in your area?