Jonathan Beverly: How Fast Can You Be Given All Your Variables?- R4R 132

Now more than over, runners of all ages and interests have opportunities to be the best they can be. No longer are the days of a small handful of elites that make up the only competitive runners. Today, if you want to be a competitive runner, you can. As a lifestyle, a hobby, or a profession, you decide how serious to take your sport. One reason this is possible is the access to running tools. Especially for long distance events, all the training information is available. Marathoners and coaches are typically willing to share their training “secrets.” Books, training gear, coaching sessions and more are available to anyone who is interested. With the running community as strong as ever, there are also more running niches that you can be a part of. Obstacle course events, ultramarathons, long-distance relays, and trail races are just some examples. You don’t need to qualify for Boston to prove that you love running and that you are good at it. With all that said, running will always be about what you can do, based on your life situations. Being a competitive runner is a mindset, not a race time or place. Being competitive is fun, it’s a challenge, and it’s fulfilling. When you choose to be competitive, running stops becoming a chore and starts becoming a challenge. Choose challenge.  Your life, Your Best Jonathan Beverly is the Editor-in-Chief of Podium Runner, an author, a coach, and a lifelong runner. But to him, more than all of that, he is also a father. Throughout his life his priorities have changed occasionally, like they do for all of us, but for the last 18 years, his number one priority has been his children.  On today’s Running for Real podcast, Jonathan gives insight to our running goals, our priorities and how to come to terms with the balance between the two. He talks about what he found when he studied a group of elites for the five weeks leading up to their marathon, including what they ate, how far they ran, and more. Tune in or read on to be a faster version of you.  Your Individual Potential Nearly everyone’s potential is limited to more than their genetics and muscle makeup. If running is the number one priority in your life, if you want to be the best at all costs, and if you have the determination to do so, than you just might be an elite runner. However, if that sentence didn’t describe you, you still have wonderful opportunities to be great. For most of us, running doesn’t show up till 2,3, or 27 on our list of priorities. Since that is the case, STOP setting silly goals or day dreaming about how good you could be if all the stars aligned. Your goals ought to be based on your priorities, not someone else's.  Of course, it is okay to dream, encouraged in fact. But if being the best runner you could possibly be meant you had to give up your beautiful family, your dream job, or any number of other things you value, would you still want to be that runner. Probably not.  How to Set Goals So how should you set goals then? Jonathan says it begins with being brutally honest. What are your limitations? What are some things that come before running? What aspects of running do you enjoy most? If you love running for the social connections, don’t be so concerned about setting goals that take away from that. And if running is your precious time to yourself, don’t feel obligated to say yes to a running group.  Discover what it is you want from running. Set a base goal, and then go from there. Maybe you just want to be able to run eight miles on any given day. Add loftier goals only after getting to that point. Be honest with yourself and you won’t ever feel let down. Consistency  When Jonathan studied a group of elites five weeks before the Boston marathon, he found that they didn’t have particularly impressive workouts, but they did consistently put in the miles. The impressive part was the day after day workout commitment. Like all of us, they had good days and bad days, recovery days and hill days. But every day, they got out the door to run. This is the best lesson we can learn from great runners. If you want to be competitive, to be the best runner you can be, the only way you can find out is if you get out there.  Decide what you want to be, organize your priorities, be honest with yourself, and then challenge yourself to get out there every day to see what you can become.   Resources: (book) Your Best Stride https://www.amazon.com/dp/1623368979/ (book) Run Strong, Stay Hungry https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1937715698/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1 Jonathan’s Website Desi Linden on Instagram Tina’s Article on Podium Runner Thank you to Bodyhealth, Athletic Greens, and Tribe for being the wonderful sponsors of this episode of The Running For Real Podcast.   If you are struggling to recover quick enough from your training, my little secret is to use BodyHealth Perfect Amino to get you there. It contains all the essential amino acids, and is very easy for your body to use and begin the repair process. Even if you are pregnant or breastfeeding this product works great for you and your baby. Click the link and use code TINAMUIR10 for 10% off. Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well. Now you can get a free travel pack with 20 servings with your first purchase, Visit here to learn more! Tribe is the leading all natural sports brand in the UK. They have a range of 20 different energy bars, protein bars, and protein snacks. Through their charity foundation they have raised money to fight human trafficking, which I absolutely LOVE their charity side. It is vegan, gluten and dairy free with 100% natural ingredients. If you use code TINAMUIR here, you can claim a €2 first sample box when you subscribe to Tribe. For my UK listeners!   Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode. To share your thoughts: Leave a note in the comment section below. Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from) Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you to Jonathan, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.