If you haven’t noticed – and if you know me, you’ve DEFINITELY noticed, like, “Dayne shut the f*** up and stop talking so much…Dayne talks SO much” noticed … 

I like to muse…to philosophize…and then make it real & important by applying it to running. 

At least, that’s something that I’ve always carried with me in the sport.  

And it’s been a two-way exchange: insights from running applied to life and how I think; insights from lived experience & study (particularly cultural anthropology & zen Buddhism) that integrate nicely into running, especially training.  

So with that being said, here is part 2 of Smooth v. Fast: 

We live in a society of WHATs, and not so much HOWs…No, not a world of WHATs – there are plenty of societes the world over that don’t live according to our inculcated societal notions of “how the world works”. 

Sorry to burst your bubble on that one.🥲

Need proof or want examples? Read more Anthropology. What’s Anthropology? Hint: it is NOT the study of butterflies. 

In our culture, we measure “success” via WHATs. Via the measurable. Or rather, the things that are more readily and directly measurable (WHATs)–  because, afterall, HOWs are measurable as well, just more indirectly at times, or through differing methods than we use to measure WHATs. 

Suffice it to say, that our forms of measurement which we hold dear, how we gauge progress –  of business, self, etc. –  can also obstruct us from adapting differing, though still empirical, forms of measurement. 

Forms of measurement that CAN in fact have deep & beneficial impact. It behooves us (yes, I’ve been wanting to drop a “behooves” for like 5 weeks now; check that blog box ✅) to consider them.    

Now for why this is important & how it applies to running…

We tend to focus on the WHAT of training. Specifically, WHAT we are doing – our mileage, our workouts, our splits, our mile space, the weight & drill sessions, sleep, nutrition, etc– all essential considerations & aspects of a successful running regime. 

But where I think many of us come up short is reflecting on the HOW of all the above. 

In the same spirit of my previous piece on Smooth vs. Fast, HOW we are running, and approaching all our training elements is integral to not only the success of each pillar, but ultimately the success of our entire training program.  

To put it simply, I’m talking about approach. Shift how you do something, and the outcome changes. 

Change how you think about each of your training pillars – how you approach them – and see the difference.  

Feel the difference. Taster’s Choice™ ☕️

Sorry – the opportunity was just too good to pass up.  

But in all seriousness now: 

Yes, you may be logging high mileage consistently, running your workouts to perfection, crushing nutrition, being disciplined with sleep & recovery and taking advantage of all those “1 percents”… 

But are you happy?  

Are you enjoying the practice? Do you run & train with peace? Are you present & mindful when you run & train? Are you grateful for it all? Do you smile on your runs?  

Sure, one may argue that the bottom line is performance, but I beg to differ. 

The bottom line is not performance, it’s not time, or improvement – despite every fiber in ourselves telling us it is – the bottom line, the most important thing, is our health, our joy, and our well-being. 

When we have those things, and protect them, and cherish them, and nourish them, we tend to perform better. And the relationships we develop in the sport & in the practice end up becoming richer, more fulfilling & more expansive as well. And how fun & rewarding is that?!? 

It’s not just training philosophy, it’s life philosophy. 

It’s how you run and also the mindset you bring to it. It’s being grateful for each step & stride, realizing the miracle that is running, and the wonder that is your body. 

Can you take one stride like that? How about two? How about 50, 100, 200? Can you apply it to an entire run (honestly, try it on your next recovery run). 

It is a fabulous experience & practice that will completely upend how you think about & feel about your running. Scout’s Word.  

Until next week – 

Dayne-O