There's this romantic notion out there that we should be always be perfectly in tune with our bodies.

We're told by the influencers to "listen to our body" to know exactly how to train, eat, and recover.

As if there is some clear, gentle voice saying, "of course I'd rather have brussels sprouts than french fries!" or "mile 23 of the marathon feels incredible!"

(if that's your inner voice, I'm impressed. Skip ahead.)

If it were really that simple, that you could just listen to your body, the advice would probably look like this:

Drink when you're thirsty, sleep when you're tired (and never use an alarm), eat whatever looks good when you're hungry, never skip dessert (or seconds), yell when you're angry, definitely don't lift anything heavy, and stop running when it gets hard.

Hmm...that surely can't be what the influencers mean, right?

Here's my take:

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ask me anything

Q:

I'd like to run my next marathon faster, but I also want to feel good that last 10k of the race. Can we train for that?

A:

Of course we can!

But which one is more important to you? Do you want to race faster or feel good at the end? Because they are usually not the same thing.

The last 10k of a marathon (6.2 miles) is supposed to hurt if you are trying to really race your best.

I'm not talking injury-based pain, of course. I'm talking about a really tough effort-based pain.

🧠Your brain is trying every trick it can to get you to stop. Pain and fatigue are its most effective tactics.

Yes, the better trained you are physically and mentally, the better you will be able to handle the last 10k of the marathon.

You might even feel really good at the end.

But at that point, you might worry about the time you left on the table and wonder, "could I have gone faster?"

If you are racing your best, the last 10k will still hurt, no matter how physically fit you are.

But that's why you're doing this, right?

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podcast

Think you need to stretch those tight muscles before or after a run? Maybe not.

Stretching, with the aim to increase flexibility or to relieve tight muscles, is more often than not a waste of time at best and counter productive for runners at worst.

Mobility work, on the other hand, could be exactly what you are looking for to improve form and performance and make running feel better.

So what’s the difference and how do you do it?

Let’s find out on this week's Planted Runner Podcast.​

You’ll learn:

• The difference between mobility and flexibility
• Some simple exercises for both that you can do today,
• Why stretching can be a waste of time for runners and why it’s the wrong choice for tight muscles

Don’t forget to stay tuned all the way to the end of the episode for another Mental Strength Minute. Fortify your mind in 60 seconds or less.

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inspo

"Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment."

— Mahatma Gandhi

Have a great run today, Coach Claire

P.S. Struggling with motivation to run this time of year? You're not alone! Get the accountability and support you need to get back after your goals with the PR Team. You'll get a custom training plan, coaching from me, and all of my programs (like Find Your Flow State) for free. And oh yeah, it's also a lot of fun!

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

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

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

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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.

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