About this time each year you start to notice articles talking about various top moments of the year. Yes, People Magazine, I am talking about you. I was suckered into all sorts of hottest celeb break-ups, weddings, meltdowns, etc.
There are some other types of countdowns that I can get on board with, such as Men’s Health Magazine list of “101 Greatest Training Tips of All Time.”
I have quite the unhealthy obsession with Men’s Health mag and nodded and mmhmm’d through most of these tips. There is a something for everyone, but if I have to pick my top five:
1. Accept the challenge
“Everyone is an athlete. But some of us are training, and some of us are not.” —Dr. George Sheehan, runner/writer/philosopher
3. Be a minuteman
“The biggest mistake that new runners make is that they tend to think in mile increments—1 mile, 2 miles, 3 miles. Beginning runners need to think in minutes, not miles.” —Budd Coates, four-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier/coach
10. Make time for a quickie
“If 15 minutes is all the time I have, I still run. Fifteen minutes of running is better than not running at all.” —Dr. Duncan Macdonald, former U.S. record holder at 5000 (set when he was in medical school)
16. Listen up!
“You must listen to your body. Run through annoyance, but not through pain.” —Dr. George Sheehan
37. Go with mind over grind
“Any idiot can train himself into the ground; the trick is doing the training that makes you gradually stronger.” —Keith Brantly, U.S. Olympic marathoner
94. Take baby steps
“You can’t climb up to the second floor without a ladder. When you set your goal too high and don’t fulfill it, your enthusiasm turns to bitterness. Try for a goal that’s reasonable, and then gradually raise it.” —Emil Zatopek, four-time Olympic gold medalist from Czechoslavakia
OK, that’s six, but I couldn’t help myself.
Let me know if you have a fave on the list or what you might add as a tip!
Live for the Run 
If you have no other tips when you start running, or need out of a rut,, or just need motivation to GO on one day – THIS is the list.
When I trained for my very first half (i.e. had no idea what “endurance running” really meant), I thought only in minutes. It never occured to me to think in terms of miles. My “long” runs just got longer by 15 minutes each week, right up until race day. Worked like a charm 🙂
I was exactly like you, just minutes. I never knew I could run 6 miles until my first 10K, and my training worked:)
Love the first one – I’m big on challenges, accepting them, embracing them, LEAPING towards them, even if it might be wicked scary to do, it’s worth it, always always always!
Leaping! Yes, that is fantastic enthusiasm.
Can’t choose just one that I like, they all speak to me and explain me or my training in some way. I have to find this list online, feel like it probably has some fantastic nuggets of info/inspiration in there.
One thing I would say is, if you are a fist time runner, don’t set a time goal. Run for the fun of it, run for the accomplishment of finishing. There is plenty of time to become consumed with pace, splits and PR’s. Enjoy the first one.
Amen! Nothing like your first race high.
Great list! When I first started running, I was all about the minutes. Glad to know that I was doing something right back then;-)
Haha, right? Me too!
24. Think big…but carry a small eraser
“Brainstorm your training goals first, then write them down. Do this in pencil, so you can change some specifics when reality sets in.” —Jeff Galloway, Olympic runner/author/coach
YESSSSSSS. I use this in life all the time. I make plans, then life happens, then you make changes.
I read guys magazines all the time. They are so much better! At least the workout stuff is 🙂
OOH, that is a good one. You have to be, have to be, realistic. I confuse everyone at checkout counters, all dude’s magazines. Sorry, but they cut to the chase on how to lose weight or tone up, etc.
These are all awesome! But if I have to pick one I’ll go with #3. For too long I was about the miles and not the minutes! I love this whole list though and need to save all 101 to look back on from time to time. Thanks for sharing!
Such an awesome list! I love all of these tips! But if I have to pick one I’ll go with #3. For too long I was about the miles and not the minutes! I love this whole list though and need to save all 101 to look back on from time to time. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
P.S. – I think my original comment was “SPAMMED” again so I figured I’d try to comment via my Twitter handle.
The only kind of Spam I like comes in a can, oh no! I’ll keep an eye out for you. I think number 3 is solid for all of us!
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