It's nice to finally be able to wear shorts and complain about being hot instead of cold while running. Summer is finally here. Even if it's not exactly tropical, it feels very liberating to run without the weight of winter layers. –
I'm excited for the upcoming sunny season and already have summer running plans in place. After taking a group of runners on a retreat to the French hills last week, I decided to spend this summer avoiding the highways and exploring local grassy trails and trails. .
But what about you? Where will you go for your summer runs?
your successful summer
–– Maybe you have a race booked or plan on taking your running gear with you on your day off. If you don't have time to think about your summer running plans yet, that's okay. In fact, I might catch you before you automatically sign up for a race your friends are participating in without considering whether you're really the right goal.
Your best running summer may not be the one where you run the fastest or run the longest distance, but the summer where you laugh the most, learn more about your body, or solve problems you care about. maybe. Take some time now to think about where you want to run, how much mileage excites you, and how much time you can realistically dedicate to running over the next few months.
the backbone of your summer
Summer is supposed to be a season of fun and fresh air. I love the freedom of summer, but writing dates of some important events in my diary helps me stay focused and grounded after school ends. Once you have a training plan, stick to it. Otherwise, time will literally disappear.
We've all had enough summer experience to know that when summer approaches, diaries quickly fill up with family commitments, work, and social events. If you don't plan, the next four months of your boyfriend's life will fly by. The backbone of our summer runs are these dates we set in our early summer diary. Don't let summer go. make a plan.
Look to the past for inspiration
If you're having trouble picturing your perfect summer run ahead, why not look to the past for inspiration? What is your favorite memory from a previous summer? Maybe sticking to a training plan during the summer helped you build discipline. Or maybe summer training turns out to be too stressful to do with kids out of school. Summer may be the time to aim to beat your long-standing personal best, or you may enjoy some free running with an emphasis on a post-run picnic.
There is no right summer running plan. The perfect summer goal is one that fits in with your other commitments and one that brings you joy rather than a waste of time and energy.
what is important to you
Late this summer, I imagine myself treading lightly, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a hilly coastal path in front of me. Speed is not my priority, but in the meantime it is important to build strength and resilience on hills and uneven ground. Understanding that this was my goal determined my training plan and I chose a few key race days as stepping stones to achieving my goal. Having this base of training will support me and allow me to take on impromptu opportunities that will undoubtedly arise over the summer.
Whether you want to spend your summer running alone or in a group, you never know when you'll find a new trail to explore. It helps to have a solid training foundation. It's also important to keep running clothes in the trunk of your car just in case.
Take the pressure off your weekend
If you wait for the weekend to put on your summer running shoes, you're missing out on a great opportunity. Summer weekdays are very special. If you're not careful, your weekdays can all melt into a treadmill of work, chores, and planning for the next day. I encourage everyone in my running group to break up the typical weekday monotony and get outside.
Last week we spent a Monday night running through the dunes of Dollymount Strand on Dublin's north side, followed by a flask of tea at sunset. On Tuesday we chatted as we walked along the spectacular cobbled path leading up to Poolbeg Lighthouse. Adventures don't have to be just for the weekend. In any case, there probably won't be time for them. Why not try it once in a while on a school night?
summer unpredictability
Despite your enthusiasm for running more in the sun, your performance may not always live up to expectations in the summer. Running in the heat and humidity after a long winter can be humiliating for most people. Generally, the Irish summer creeps in without much of a shock to your system, but if you're planning a trip abroad, be flexible with your running and adapt to the situation.
Sure, you can make great plans, but don't take your running so seriously that you can't adapt to extreme heat or other unforeseen circumstances. If possible, skip your run or move to a different time of day. Having a Plan B race at all times is a great backup for anyone training for a big summer event.
[ How to play catch-up on your mini marathon training ]
put pen on paper
Summer is arguably the most motivating time of the year and the time of year when race events are most often chosen on the calendar, but it's also a very busy time in many people's personal lives. If you're determined to make time for running this year, write down now what you really want to prioritize this summer, and use each training session as a small stepping stone to get there.
When you work on something on paper, it becomes a little more realistic.
Later this summer, when I'm riding along the rugged roads of the Atlantic Coast, where will you be smiling?
Now let's make it happen.
- Mary Jennings is ForgetTheGym.ie. Her summer running classes in Dublin begin this week in Sandymount and Clontarf.
- Beginner Plan: An 8-week course that teaches you how to run 30 minutes nonstop.
- Stay on Track Plan: An 8-week course for those who can commit to running for 30 minutes several times a week.
- Advanced Plan: An 8-week course for those who want to progress up to 10km.