Train Smarter, not Harder

“I’ve been just a seasonal runner for a few years now (only running in the spring and summer). I would start over with my fitness each year, hoping to run as fast as I did the year prior. I would look at online training programs and run the distance prescribed. This year, I made a commitment to be a consistent runner ALL months of the year. I ran a few 5Ks and noticed I wasn’t running close to the pace I did the year before, so I assumed it would just take a little longer to get there. Afterall, I was a year older than the previous year and not getting any younger.

Since I had just turned 50 this year, I decided to register and train for the Michigan Senior Olympics. While I finished first female, my time was about a minute slower than what I ran a few 5Ks the previous year. I had been doing variations of the same 8-week 5K training program over and over and not seeing any improvements. I have always been about figuring things out on my own. While I have a degree (from long ago) in Exercise Science, I had not been in practice for a few decades and my knowledge had gone stale.

My desire to become a better runner eventually overshadowed my resistance to ask for help. I reached out to Kaylin through a link I clicked on the Ann Arbor Running Co’s website, though I was still a bit apprehensive at first (I tend to have commitment issues). I reached out to her in June, but it wasn’t until after that Sr. Olympics race (August) that I decided it was time to commit.

So, in mid-August I started following a training program customized to my schedule, ability, and most important, my goals. I ended up not only getting a great training program that improved my fitness as I smashed my goal for this year at my most recent race, but I’ve learned so much about training smarter (not harder). I’ve also learned what my body can do when my mind tells it to and look forward to all of my running workouts, not just the easy stuff! This truly has helped me transition from a “seasonal” runner to a year-long runner who’s finally addicted! I’ve also learned to practice patience and have trust in the training. I now understand that rest is important and being a part of a community is much more rewarding than doing things by myself! Kaylin has, by far, been my biggest cheerleader and is such an inspiration to talk to as she offers wisdom from her own experiences.

Thank you for helping me discover my passion!”

-Melissa

In 2022, Melissa has PR’d in the 5K (21:29), 10K (46:12) and Half Marathon (1:39:31)! I cannot wait to see what she can do come 2023! Watch out world!

Never stop chasing your goals, be consistent and keep showing up.

Melissa’s Mantra: GO