Fit Fanatic: GET FASTER!

By Jessie

I read a lot of runner blogs.

In fact, here are a few of my favorites. 

**Congrats to Ali on the Run, who just went sub-4 for the first time in a big way!
Hers is probably one of my favorite blogs.

http://www.aliontherunblog.com/

http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/

http://sarahoual.com/

So, I follow a lot of runner blogs. I hang out with a lot of runner friends. Runners are all  around me!

And they’re all faster than me....

I know I should be proud of my 3:55:17 PR. And many days I’m reminded to be grateful that I am able to run at all (especially when talking to my sister Erin, who is currently sidelined by a temperamental IT band)

But lately all I keep thinking is that I need to GET FASTER, GET FASTER, GET FASTER!

How can I move from a 3:55 marathon (a 9 min/mile pace) to a 3:45 marathon (an 8:30 pace)? How can I achieve my goal?

I’ve been asking these fast friends and bloggers for their advice and this is what they tell me:

1. You have to run faster to get faster. Well, duh! This sounds so obvious, right? But it’s true.  I have to try to keep up with a faster group at the run club. I have to keep running even when it’s no longer comfortable and easy.
2. Speed training. Yeah, yeah, I know. And I do this already. But clearly I need to push harder during this speed training.
3. Diet: more fruits and vegetables. More fiber. More variety. LESS CARBS all the time
4. No Alcohol: One of my CBRC friends did exactly what I’m trying to do – she cut 10 minutes off her PR and ran a 3:45 at the Twin Cities Marathon this year. And she says that giving up alcohol for the 3 month training period kept her focused, hydrated, and well rested for each workout. Though I may not give it up 100%, I do think I will plan to give it up Sunday- Friday, allowing myself a glass or two of wine on Saturdays. No more microbrews while vegging out in front of the TV during the week...No more wine with our pasta on Friday nights. Exceptions will be made of course!
5. Rest days: One of my speedy friends just ran a 3:31 at TCM this year, and she has reminded me of the importance of rest days. I need to ensure that I have 1-2 days of either complete rest or active recovery.
6. Crosstraining/Yoga: No new messages here! The challenge will be fitting in all the above (including rest days) AND crosstraining.

Those are the tips that I have been given. Do you have any others? Please share!

I think just having that quantitative goal in mind will also help me stay motivated (just like I wrote about HERE) but I will also try to  follow the above tips too.
Newport, here I come!

Anyone have any tips for my sister and her IT band issues? She has tried Active Release Technique, physical therapy, foam rolling, yoga, rest…She is considering a cortisone shot now. Yay or nay? Share your experiences in the comments!