| There are two camps when training for your 1st half | | | | its called running easy. This is different to racers and it |
| or full marathon - Racers and Runners. Racers are | | | | is also different to jogging, which if you training for a |
| people who are concerned about things like time, | | | | half or full marathon you move beyond. Jogging is |
| speed, pace, personal bests, trying harder. Runners are | | | | what you see people doing at the park with the dog. |
| people who are concerned about things like | | | | Joggers are those people who casually toy with |
| experience, fun, enjoyment, exhilaration, trying easier. | | | | running. They run a few kilometers every now and |
| As you can see there is a fundamental difference in | | | | then, but nothing more than that. Often they know very |
| these two approaches. And the different philosophies | | | | little about running, and in fact often spend most of |
| result in fundamental differences in the approach to | | | | their life struggling to develop the core cardio fitness |
| running . | | | | and never moving beyond that zone. However once |
| Most running programs are actually racing programs | | | | you start training for your 1st half or full marathon you |
| designed by racers. You will often find that top | | | | are no longer a jogger - you are now a runner. |
| athletes have designed them, and what is the common | | | | A runner who runs easy is someone who runs |
| factor of top athletes? Time. They are top because | | | | because it is a lifestyle choice A runner, unlike a jogger |
| they were the best. They ran the fastest, they had the | | | | knows what he/she is doing. They understand the |
| best time. And so this philosophy pervades all of their | | | | science behind running; they understand nutrition and |
| advice, all of their training programs. The training | | | | shoes and hydration - just like a racer. They |
| program will have sections dealing with "pace", | | | | understand the importance of running easy in order to |
| "improving your speed", "achieving your personal best", | | | | achieve optimal health and fitness. However, unlike a |
| "racing faster", "speed work", "fartleks" (yeah we | | | | racer they are not concerned with how fast they |
| know that sounds bad but it is a real running term that | | | | went, or whom they beat or what their pace was - |
| means speed play). | | | | the thrill and exhilaration is simply running for the sure |
| But there is another way and another philosophy and | | | | pleasure and enjoyment of it. |
