The New Leaf Running Blog Archives
We're no longer publishing new articles, but the lessons are still here for you.
Dive into our archives to find a wealth of knowledge on training principles, race strategy, gear, and more. From in-depth discussions to simplified running terms, our past articles are a valuable resource for every runner. We hope you find the insights you need for your next adventure.
Goal Setting For Runners
What if you came to me and I told you it was going to take a year, or more, to reach your goal?
Would you have the patience and persistence to reach your goal? Would you stop trying to go out and run a crazy fast (for you) pace every time you put your shoes on? And put aside the immense pressure you have to run a certain pace? After all, nobody needs to run “x” pace in “x” amount of time.
Why is it so hard to go from running 4 days a week to running 5 days a week?
The plan is a guideline.
Take it and move it around to suit your schedule. If you need a rest day on Wednesday because you have other things to do, make Wednesday a rest day.
There are three things to keep in mind when moving workouts around:
Don't stack hard workouts (like intervals) together.
Don't stack a workout and a long run together.
Never try to make up for a day by trying to do two runs on the same day.
That's it. Don't' do those three things, and go ahead and move the runs around, so they work for you.
new runner vs. running coach: what do they have in common?
When you are looking for an expert, be very selective about who you are going to. Don't just choose someone based on convenience, like the clinic your local shoe place is putting on or the fast guy in your local running group. Go to someone who clearly understands and has demonstrated both through their own expertise as a runner and their students' results. Remember, a true expert is always learning, just like the new runner is. They are learning based on emerging science, their own experience, and the results of their students.
How to Increase Mental Toughness, 3 secrets of Olympians
The term mental toughness has been used for a long time in sport and is used pretty regularly in most performance-based environments, whether it is in sports or at work.
But what does mental toughness mean, really? The academic definition for mental toughness as defined by the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology is: "Having the natural or developed psychological edge that enables you to: generally, cope better than your opponents with the many demands (competition, training, lifestyle) that sport places on a performer; specifically, be more consistent and better than your opponents in remaining determined, focused, confident, and in control under pressure."
6 Things to Consider to Customize your Ultramarathon Training Plans
Running an ultramarathon is a journey in getting to know yourself. The difference between a marathon and a 50-mile and a 100-mile race isn't so much about moving your legs. It is much more about the time you get to spend in your head. And on your training.
How to experience less fatigue after a run.
If you are running, and you are struggling with repeated injuries or lack of energy, likely, you are not taking in enough calories. Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein, you can focus less on calorie counting and more on making sure you eat enough to keep up with your activity level. Crashing after your long run is not something that should be happening regularly, and is entirely preventable if you are eating enough and at the right times.