Just like there is no one-sized runner, there are no one-sized answer to running questions.

In running, most questions should be answered with "it depends."

Except for the one every runner wants to know, which is how to run faster.

There are only two ways to run faster:

1. take quicker steps
2. take longer ones

Ideally, you want to do a combination of both, but it's not as simple as me just telling you to do it.

The problem with longer strides is that you increase the chance of "over-striding" which means your foot lands before your center of mass has a chance to catch up. Your front leg will be locked at the knee as you reach forward, which creates far more impact force with each step, upping your injury risk.

Learning to take quicker steps, however, is often a far better approach.

Here's the why and the how of increasing your cadence...

fast feet

planted practice

Each week, I'd like to challenge you to one small action that I'm calling your Planted Practice.

You don't change the way you think by reading something cool in a newsletter. You change with small, daily work, just like training your body.

Each Planted Practice is deceptively simple, but might just be more powerful than you think.

This week's challenge: "isn't this amusing?"

Next time something on a run annoys you, a hill you forgot was there, a red light that costs you your pace, a stranger's dog that won't stop barking, say out loud, "isn't this amusing?"

It'll feel ridiculous. Say it anyway.

Naming something as annoying only makes it feel more annoying. Naming it as amusing does the opposite. It's a small, silly override, and that's exactly why it works. Try it on the next thing that tries to ruin your run.

*share how it went on social and tag me!

#plantedpractice

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podcast

Every marathoner will need to execute just the right wind down of training to show up on race day at peak form. If you don’t do enough, you risk feeling flat. But even worse is doing too much in taper and showing up overcooked.

How can you be sure your taper finds just the right balance?

Let's find out.

Today, we're busting the taper myths that can undo months of otherwise great training.

You’ll learn:

• The taper myth that leads runners to either overdo it or undertrain right before the race
• What your workouts, strength training, and nutrition should actually look like these final few weeks, and
• How to structure the mental side of your training, especially if you’re starting to feel the race nerves already

If you've got a fall race coming up soon, you're going to need this!

listen here

And don't forget to train your mental strength! I made the Readiness Reset for every runner to use for free. It's a 7-minute audio that combines guided visualization with cognitive conditioning, designed to train the exact response you need when running gets hard. Get access to it for free right now at theplantedrunner.com/reset​

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inspo

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”

—Dolly Parton

Have a great run today, Coach Claire

P.S. If you missed it, grab the Readiness Reset, a FREE seven minute audio training. Use it before hard workouts, long runs, and race day to stay calm and focused.

Thank you for being a part of the Planted Runner community!

My mission is to help runners just like you reach goals they never dreamed possible through science-backed training and plant-based nutrition.

Since 2016, I've helped thousands of every day runners become fitter, faster, and stronger with truly customized training and coaching.

I also love to share what I have learned from my own journey starting as a non-runner to a 2:58 marathoner at age 42, as well what I have learned coaching runners, completely FREE. I do that every week in this newsletter and on the Planted Runner Podcast.

I'm so glad you're here and my inbox is always open. Feel free to reply with questions or feedback!

If that's not for you, ​unsubscribe here​, completely guilt-free!

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