Taking It One Step Further

     Once you're able to run without walking, things will get interesting for you. You'll realize that you have certain areas, trails, or streets that your body prefers when it comes to running. This will either help or hurt you. Some may have reached their goal at this point, with being able to run without stopping and are simply getting into shape.
     For those who have picked up running and intend to put that skill to competition, this may hurt you. I'm not saying you personally preferring one area or trail to another will hurt you, but your body preferring one to another will.
     My body doesn't like hills. When running hills too often on my running course my hip flexors will become intensely tight and will start to cause problems for my entire body. Heck, I can't even put on pants and need to get my hips professionally fixed. I feel most would agree with me that my body naturally preferring one terrain to another will hinder my racing performance. And it does. During cross country races especially, I find myself slowing down naturally going both up and down hills while others take advantage of the downhill time. It's always been my weakness, and I know it.
     Part of the battle itself, however, is knowing your own weaknesses, and kicking your weaknesses butt. As a runner, you may already know that just because you feel like you're going to die or you're the most miserable you've ever been doesn't mean that you will not be okay. In fact, it's been scientifically proven that runners develop a higher and stronger pain tolerance. Use that as your excuse to keep going, to tell your body not to give up. Of course, take care of injuries, but you have to be mentally tough as well.
     By running different terrains and such, your body will adjust to all types and become stronger overall, which in the long term will improve your races and competitions. This is important because you cannot expect every race your run to be the same, and you have to be prepared for every obstacle that will be thrown at you.
     Every runner has some type of weakness, but that doesn't mean you should ignore it and let it control your running experience.