One of the marathoners I coach is a professor.

Before working with me, he ran a very fast first marathon. But his second one was significantly slower. And then he got injured.

Now he is healthy and training well, but his confidence in his ability is still shaken.

"I never trust my training and lack confidence to know when good is good. I face this race ahead and I am fearful, hopeful, and mostly confused."

He wants to test his training with a hard tune up race, so he can evaluate his progress, eight weeks from race day.

And after all, that's what a professor would do with students; give them a test to evaluate their progress.

But where athletics differs from education is that testing fitness comes at a cost.

Racing is harder than any workout designed to build fitness.

This is not to say that you shouldn't do a tune up race at the right time with the right strategy. Racing builds experience and can teach you useful lessons.

But know that it comes at a physical cost which requires recovery time and displacement of other workouts.

Want to know where you stand without racing? Here's how:

read more (6 minutes)

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ask me anything

Q:

I am a teacher. I have to plan lessons, teach class, and I am a parent and spouse, so continue to work when I get home! It's hard to find time for running. When I do have an hour to myself, I kind of just want to read a book. What can I do to motivate myself? Or should I take a break and run again once I have more time? How do I find time for running without burning out?

A:

You certainly have your hands full!

I completely understand in the busyness of life that it's hard to fit everything in. It could be that you don't have the time to devote to training for marathon right now, but please, do not stop running (or whatever exercise you enjoy) because your life is busy.

You will be a better teacher, mother, and spouse when you carve out some time to take care of your physical and mental health.

As they say on airplanes, you've got to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others.

Motivation is fickle and fleeting, so don't rely on that to get you out the door. Plan your runs just like you plan out your other priorities in life. Work with your spouse to make sure that you both have time to exercise (and read books!). There are even ways to get the kids involved.

I outlined even more ways to fit your training into a busy life in this post if you need more tips.

Modern life will always have a way of feeling overwhelming.

Running helps.

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podcast

When I was pregnant with my kids, I was not a runner. I did what I could, but I definitely wasn’t running.

In the years since, I’ve coached countless women through their pregnancies and postpartum. Today on The Planted Runner Podcast, I’m going to share what I’ve learned from them and from the research.

You’ll learn:

• how running can help you have a better pregnancy, an easier delivery, and a healthier baby.
• when NOT to run while pregnant, and
• how to get back into running shape in a safe and healthy way after delivery.

This show is obviously female focused, but that doesn't mean that there is nothing in here for the guys listening. The human body is capable of incredible things and if there is a woman in your life that has given birth or could in the future, you might want to listen up so that you can understand a little bit more of her experience.

And of course, don’t forget to stay tuned all the way to the end of the conversation for another Mental Strength Minute. Fortify your mind in 60 seconds or less.

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inspo

“Nothing lifts me out of a bad mood better than a hard workout on my treadmill. It never fails. Exercise is nothing short of a miracle.”

— Cher

Have a great run today, Coach Claire

P.S. Are you ready for a breakthrough in your running this fall? Join the PR Team for coaching, community, and so much more. You don't have to do this alone!

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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