My run ended today at 19.99km, and it felt oddly satisfying, like a rebellious act against perfect numbers, leaving me with a smile on my face. 
Without naming names, Keight and Brad :), I know a handful of people who would have been driven to the edge of sanity by not making that extra step. 

We all have our quirks and peculiar habits and rituals, in life and in running. That's what makes our experiences uniquely personal and keeps things fun! 
For example, I wear odd running shoes and socks. I've been doing it for years, it's just what I do. And I now find it very hard to wear matching ones. 

So, here to The Imperfects - which by the way is a great podcast 

​This morning, following a long(er) run on Sunday and a half hour strength session yesterday, I felt an unusual heaviness in my legs. It was a sensation that I, oddly enough, welcomed with open arms. I interpreted this feeling as a sign of muscle growth, an indicator of my training effort, and my body's way of responding to different stimuli.

I found myself paying close attention to the heaviness because, in the past couple of weeks, I've actually been resting more than usual. Between traveling, battling jet lag, and yesterday's dreadful weather, I've taken more time off than is typical for me. Even while in Italy, I rarely ran for more than an hour at a time. As a result, a couple of more intense training days quickly manifested as DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

This got me thinking. As odd as it may sound, I don't experience enough DOMS! My default state hovers somewhere between sore and fresh, a sort of limbo. Just like perpetually running at medium intensity doesn't trigger growth, my "in-between" soreness suggests that my body isn't getting enough variation. It points to the fact that I might be in a training plateau, of effort, intensity or simply not taking enough rest days. 

Reflecting on this, I can't recall a day when I woke up too tired to run or lacked the desire to head out for at least a quick jog. Not even the day after a long ultra. And while this suits my love for running and my requirement to move to feel mentally better, I realize that it may not be the best thing for muscle development.

It's probably time to shake things up, to grow, to DOMS more often!

​You know, there's rain, and then there's rain. Today is the latter, and am I glad I'm not out running in it!
Gym day it is! 

​This year, I found myself scrolling down the leaderboard of the Ultra Trail Australia a couple of pages before a familiar name finally jumped out at me. 
The old fast crew is gone! 

It seems like just yesterday when I recognized most of the top 20 finishers' names. I trained with a few of them and even supported them during races. Now, they're no longer competing in this particular race, and perhaps they've also stepped away from many other races that were once considered a must for the Australian Ultra community.

This realization can only mean one thing: I am also part of that old era. Even though I was never as fast, I am a relic of a past generation, and now it's time for the next generation to step up.

I greet this change with a smile, acknowledging the inevitable passage of time and shifting interests. I am certain that the old crew, like me, is still running. But, they are likely exploring different interests, sports, and races, or simply running for the sheer joy of it.

To the new generation, I wish you the best of luck. 
I won't dwell on the "good old days"! Instead, I wish you also have the next 10+ years of fantastic running feats, before the landscape will inevitably shift again.

Here's to making room for new talent!

While in London, I had an interesting conversation with a drama teacher about the differences between her approach to teaching drama and my approach to running coaching. 
While we both aim to achieve a specific outcome, the ways we go about it is quite different. 
This is probably obvious for many people, but for me, it was a chance to reflect and articulate what I've intuitively felt and practiced.

Teaching tends to focus on imparting knowledge and skills to a group of students. On the other hand, coaching is more focused on individual needs and personal growth. 
In her role as a drama teacher, my friend primary goal is to ensure that each student understands the content and techniques being taught. 
My role as a running coach is to tailor my approach to each runner's specific goals and abilities, providing them with the support and guidance they need to succeed.

Teaching is primarily content-based, while coaching is relationship-based. This is why open communication and trust is key in my role as coach, so I can better understand runners' needs, offer feedback, and help overcome challenges.

We both agreed on the importance of emphasizing the process over the outcome (aka growing mindset https://www.amazon.com.au/Mindset-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322). Embracing the journey of learning and growth, rather than obsessing over the final performance. 

In running especially, by emphasizing improvement, learning, self-discovery, and the sheer joy and connection with the art of human movement, I believe runners can appreciate the value of their efforts, irrespective of race times or personal records. In my view, this mindset is key to long-term engagement in the sport and adaptability to life's changing seasons.