The first Wednesday of each month, 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 Development.

This obviously applies to RUNNING.

How do we develop as runners?

Of course, we first buy running shoes and comfortable clothes and eventually we run a race.

But there’s more to it that that, right?

Running is hard.  It takes a lot of effort.  We must work at it if we want to be a better runner.

Here are some things you could do (and you  don’t have to do them all):

• Have a (training) plan.
• Drink water.
• Fuel right.
• Be consistent.
• Learn proper form.
• Strength train (do more than just run.)

• Run with a buddy (better yet a faster buddy.)

• Do dynamic warm-ups before you run.
• Stretch after you run.

• Run longer once a week.

• Sign up for races of varying distances.

• Get a coach.
• Do speed drills.
• Foam roll sore muscles. 
• Run on different surfaces.

• Track your runs.

• Take rest days.
• Run naked (no watch from time to time.)
• Improve your cadence.
• Join a running group.

And I do not do ALL the things that I’ve mentioned above but I do do many of them.

I think the work that I have put into running has contributed to my development as a runner.

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I’m also linking with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner.

Happy Running! Do you do all or any of the things listed?  Have I missed something that you do do?