What's your inner coach saying?

When I was running the other day, I ran over the Memorial Bridge which goes over the Charles River ( I offer this direction only for our out of state readers!). As I ran over the bridge, underneath were members of a local rowing ( crew ) team in their boat. Their coach was beside them in his boat and I could hear him yelling direction to the team. " Lift more, smooth!" or whatever specific suggestion he was providing.

As I continued my run, I began to think of my own running in that moment and what suggestions might be helpful. " Relax your shoulders, breathe" or " be in the legs, breathe." It became a great way to stay in my body ( and out of my head) and keep the meditative flow of running driving me.

When you run, what is your inner coach saying? Or is it your ego that drives you when you run? How's that working for you?

On another note, I read recently that running on pavement is "poison to your legs." It's got me thinking about the fact that right now, 90% of the running I do is on pavement. I'll be shifting more to the paths around my running routes instead.

I also bought a great book: Four months to a four hour marathon, by Dave Kuehls. I'm only mid-way through but it seems excellent. Check it out on www.amazon.com.

Oh, and for those of you who wondered where yesterday's post was: I was in yoga class!

be well1