Hi!
During the most recent Skype sesh with my coach, Andrew from Lifelong Endurance, I asked him a question that I’ve been thinking about in different ways since the beginning of the year.
What ELSE can I do throughout the day, at any given time, to support my goal?
I am constantly asking myself, “what can I do RIGHT NOW to increase my chances of succeeding?” Sometimes I’ll eat a green vegetable, take a vitamin or foam roll, again…but this isn’t working. hahahaha
What I mean, is that after the running, cross-training, strength training, stretching and rolling, baths, naps, blogging, and conscious nutrition choices, WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?? (yes, I want more). I do not mean GIVE ME MORE MILES TO RUN. I’m not going to be an idiot and believe the idea that MORE = BETTER. But, when I ask myself that question above, sometimes I’ve already done so much that day that doing more is not smart.
Andrew’s answer? Continue to educate yourself.
Why didn’t I think of that? I guess I was already doing it, actually, but I hadn’t consciously decided that “educating myself” specifically, would be how I satisfy the urge to train harder. I already love reading, listening to and watching anything to do with running. Books, magazines, podcasts, guided meditations and good old YouTube are all a big part of how I continue to live and breathe the pursuit of my goal.
So, I decided to invest in a few new books that I’ve heard about from other runners, or that I’ve seen recommended in some of my running magazines. Bonus: New books will also help because reading before bed instead of scrolling INSTAGRAM is one of the changes I’ve implemented in the last few months to help with sleep.
The first book of Operation: Pump up the JAMmie is Meb For Mortals, which I mentioned in the Week 1/16 recap of Pump up the JAMmie. I just finished it on the weekend and will write a short review in the next day or two.
All week, whenever my mind went extra buck-wild getting fired up about this mission, I grabbed the book. I will not push my body to a place where it’s more susceptible to injury. I will not exhaust myself physically, or mentally. Overzealous: something I could so easily be, and if you know me you will definitely agree with that. But I won’t. When everything on the day’s training schedule is completed and I’m still hungry for more, I’ll read a book instead.
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you had to actively be careful not to over-do it?
JammieKomadina 
I’m a slacker when it comes to the little things outside of training, like nutrition, stretching, rest, etc. I’ve started to use the mentality that being a better runner is a bigger priority than any short term gratification that I might get from eating something I shouldn’t or staying up to waste time as opposed to getting needed rest. It seems to be working so far.
Ironically, there’s a book actually called “How Bad do you Want it?” and it is AMAZING. It’s really about the concept of mind over muscle and is a great motivator. I believe it what it tries to teach. You should check it out sometime!
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I’ve read it three times and have it on audio! So good hey! And good attitude 👊👊👊
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