BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Work on your Weaknesses in 2023

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about the obvious. 2022 is almost over and runners all over the world are gearing up for 2023 by making New Year's Resolutions. Perhaps you're one of them? If you are, then you most likely have some of the most common resolutions written down already as well as a plan to achieve them. Perhaps your list includes one or all of these:

• Run Faster
• Run Farther
• Stay Injury Free
• Run a Consistent Pace

But have you ever considered adding, "Work on my weaknesses" to that list? After all, whether you’ve been running for five months or five years, chances are you have a few weaknesses. And identifying where you need to put in some additional work will naturally make you a better all around runner. And shouldn't that be every runners overall 2023 goal? So in light of that, check out some examples of weaknesses you may possess and a few tips to turn them into strengths:

• A lack of flexibility
• Lack of strength
• Prone to injury
• Running up hills
• Running downhill
• Inconsistency when it comes to diet or exercise

Pick

As you can see, there are many, many possible weaknesses a runner can have. The best way to turn them into strengths is to pick one or two weaknesses (maximum) at a time and slowly work on them (you don’t want to overwhelm yourself as this may result in a lack of motivation and drive down the line). For instance, addressing your current lack of strength with weekly running-specific gym sessions will not only make you a faster runner, but it will also reduce your risk of injury. Before you know it, you’ll be a stronger athlete and may even enjoy running that little bit more. That is, of course, if you don’t already love it…

Periodize

Devise, or periodize, a plan that breaks your training into segments that have periods within the training cycle that can be spent addressing and working on your weakness with time to come back to your strengths. Just like a marathoner periodizes their training block into a base phase, strength/endurance phase, speed, and finally a taper, taking a deep dive into how to make one of your weaknesses a strength may take more than just small additions to workouts. Make sure you always come back to training your strengths well ahead of your key races so that you’re at peak fitness and as strong, mentally and physically, as possible.

Prioritize

And finally, some of us just don’t spend enough time training our bodies to do what we expect them to do. Sometimes the best way to get better is to put in a little hard work and time. We may not have much of the latter, but I’m betting most of us can all squeeze a few more minutes of training into our week if we want it bad enough. Prioritize what's important to you by doing it first and you're sure to see success. Schedule in your workouts. 

I know it’s pretty simple, but sometimes it takes some reminding that our strengths are usually what got us to where we are in the first place. They’re the reason we enjoy certain workouts, races or trails. Take some time to focus on the weaknesses, but remember, the fun often lies in where we’re strongest. And that's the reward for working on the weaknesses. The strengths become stronger and all the more enjoyable. 

So there you have it friends. Working on your weaknesses, is a great resolution to add to that list you're making. As are these 2023 resolutions: 

• Sign up for the Bass Pro Half Marathon of full. 
• Sign up for the Dogwood Canyon trail run.
• Join the training groups that begin in July.
• Volunteer at one of the 2023 Bass Pro events. 

One more thing friends... don't get so set on achieving your running resolutions that you forget to have fun with it or forget what a blessing it is to be able to get out there and log some miles. After all, the majority of us aren't paying the rent with our winnings but simply challenging ourselves to be better while making new friends. So strive to be the best you can be in 2023 but make it your top goal to have fun along the way! You'll be so glad you did.

HAPPY RUNNING!