Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.
Today’s word is CONSISTENT.
I am NOT consistent with strength training, stretching, planking, yoga, going to the gym, bike riding, etc… In fact, running is my one consistent activity.
However, that wasn’t always the case.
When I first started running in 2008, I was NOT consistent. I ran whenever I had the time. I ran 1 – 1 1/2 miles and then I ran a 5k on the weekend. I didn’t run between October and March because it was too cold.
I only ran 5ks and I wasn’t horrible but I didn’t really improve until I ran more consistently.
That started in 2010 when I decided to train for a half marathon.
I ran a half marathon or 5… but other good things happened too. I got faster in my short races!!
Running at 3 times a week with a long run on the weekend for me was the consistency that I need to be a better runner.
I started winning age group awards and I even ran a 5k under 28 minutes in Nov 2010.
Of course, 2011, 2012 and 2013 were years filled with injuries. It is hard to be consistent when you are injured.
It is easy to give up when things gets tough. Especially after those awful runs and disappointing races or when you have one injury after another.
Thankfully, I have been injury-free for the last few years. I have been running consistently. I think I have had more good runs than bad and more successful races than not.
I have also realized that as you age, consistency is even more important. And I won’t get results if I don’t put in the time.
Happy Running! How is consistency important to your running?
My First 5K and More... 
You are consistent with your tennis, too.
I can’t do long races without being consistent. If I don’t have that base in, things get painful very quickly.
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I used to play, take a lesson or play a match almost everyday. That’s when I was trying to improve my tennis game. Now, it’s purely social so I play maybe once a week or sometimes not for weeks. Imagine if I did that for running. My running would suck.
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But you are still playing most of the time AND running. You haven’t given up on tennis, you just scaled it back.
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I’ve very consistent with my workouts–not just running. Everything fits well together!
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You consistent workouts obviously help your running.
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I’m consistent when I have a race and training plan and that is for most of my races now. I do struggle with the other stuff though, stretching, rolling and strength training.
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Me too.
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Your journey sounds much like mine: started running when I felt like it, then started locking down a little more consistency and saw tons of improvement. It’s amazing what a little consistency really can accomplish!
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When I worked for the airlines I never ran consistent bc of my crazy schedule.Work still gets in the way, but it is easier to manage my runs now that I am not traveling all the time.
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I can’t imagine. I have problems and I work 9-5.
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I am down to running 2 days a week but the other days are cross-training (OTF, spinning, weights) so overall I am consistent. It does take time to build a consistent routine.
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Good for you. And yes, it’s not easy being consistent.
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This consistency prompt has been an eye-opener for me…..I do a lot of cross-training,but lately it’s been pretty hit or miss. I’ve been doing it, just not as much as I should be doing. UGH. I think you’re very consistent not just with running, but also with tennis. You’re showing the world how to get results…by getting out there and moving in those running shoes 😉
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I just need to be consistent with some form of exercise. You are amazing with your planks, pushups , stair climbs, etc.
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Words to live by. A great reminder for us all! Thanks!
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You are so right on consistency be even more important as we get older. I’m amazed at how much longer it takes me to recover after a race.
As always, thanks so much for linking up!
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