I Believe in the little things

I believe that often it’s not the big things that trip us up, it’s the little things.

In prehab
I believe that rehab sucks, and  prehab (working on your weak areas before an injury), while not particularly fun, can definitely help.

In dynmaic stretching
I believe that just going out and running, for most people, can lead to injury. You know how stiff you feel when you’re cold? And how loose you feel when you’re warm?

Stiff things have a tendency to break. Loose things are more fluid.

In short bouts of strength training
I believe that you can really strengthen yourself in 10 minutes. You’re super busy and you don’t have time for that strength training or rehab, you say? Try 10 minutes before leaving for work. 10 minutes when you get home. 

It all adds up quickly. It really makes a difference.

Strength training isn’t just about looking buff or running faster. It’s about living your best life — having the strength to do the things you want to do.

In short doses of yoga frequently
. . . rather than just one or two classes a week.

There’s a reason they call it a yoga practice. Not in the practice makes perfect sense, but in the sense that you will reap more rewards the more you do it. Just like strength training, you don’t have to wait until you have an hour to spare.

In meal prepping
I believe that it’s all too easy to eat these days. Often the wrong things. The vending machines, the Starbucks, the Dunkin Donuts on every corner.

When you’re famished those donuts seems like an excellent idea. If you’re armed with your own healthy snacks and breakfasts, you are more likely to resist temptations — and the end result is that you feel better.

In cross training
I believe that far too many runners rely solely on running. And it’s the rare runner who doesn’t end up on the injured list at some point during their life.

Cross training can help prevent those injuries — and it gives you something to turn to if you do happen to end up injured.

In journaling
I believe that having a record of your running journey can be invaluable. It can help you determine what may have led to an injury or an illness. It can help you determine if you’re improving. It can help you see what you did in a previous training cycle that worked for you — or didn’t.

In rest
I believe that rest shouldn’t be a four letter word. It’s not really a small thing — rest can make all the difference between failure and success.

I believe that far too many runners see other runners running a race every weekend, or month, or running ___ times per week, or ____ number of miles, and fall prey to peer pressure, rather than listening to their own body and enjoying their own journey.

I believe the people who say they’ll sleep when they’re dead are heading for a breakdown somewhere along the road.

What small things do you believe in?

I’m linking up with with MCM Mama Runs, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup.

This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup