Running is simple. Left foot, right foot, repeat. Yet somewhere in that simplicity I’ve been gifted more fitness and life lessons than I can possibly share. I’ll try anyway. Here are some numbers that will help your running, your fitness, and maybe even your life.
26.2
So many people will ask ‘how long is that marathon?’ They are all 26.2, although very few runners actually run 26.2. Most run more; I’ve heard of people running 27-28. By and large they pick up extra miles passing other runners, meandering from one side of the road to the other and taking turns wide. I’m pretty sure the Chicago marathon has a blue line: If you run this line you’ll run exactly 26.2.
Boston needs a Blue Line!
No, not that Blue Line.
While we’re on the subject- Did you ever read about the time I outran the Red Line?
Life lesson– Everything in life take more effort than initially expected. That’s life.
10
As in 10%. To get fast you have to run more. 10% is the most you should increase your weekly training mileage from one week to the next; because increasing more puts you at greater risk of injury.
Life Lesson- Success/improvement come in small increments. Few people have the discipline to scale up incrementally like this. Be the Tortoise.
3 to 4
Schedule in a down week every third to fourth week. Your body can’t go 100% all the time. Schedule in easy weeks and watch your body rejuvenate.
Life Lesson- Workouts (or actual work) tear the body down. Rest builds it back up. Find the right work/rest balance or pay the price.
80/20
80% of running workouts should be done at an easy pace. You should only push your heart rate into the orange/red zone 20% of the time.
Life Lesson- No one can go all out all the time. Pick your spots.
180
180 strides a minute is efficient running cadence. If you’re doing this you should have good form regardless of your height or leg length. You may hear some more complex theories (chi running), but if you can run 180 your form will be ok.
Life Lesson- Focusing on the simplest task, like running 180 strides/minute, can yield huge dividends.
140
If you weigh over 140 you’re a better cold weather runner, if you’re under you run better in the heat. I’ve been over 140 since 7th grade. The heat destroys me.
Life Lesson- Conditions matter. You can prepare perfectly and perform poorly due to something completely outside your control.
24,834
The number of Marathon finishers last year.
There aren’t 24,000 natural/gifted runners in the entire US; yet somehow that many finished one marquee race.
The most important life lesson:
The race doesn’t always go to the swift, but to those who keep in running!