Hi there, another Friday update with my learnings and updates from the running and health space.
Netflix Docuseries
Netflix has been nailing it with their sports docuseries lately. Their newest one, “SPRINT,” follows the world’s fastest humans, like Olympic athletes Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, and Shericka Jackson. I love the behind-the-scenes look at their training, racing, and daily lives.
Two other great sport docuseries on Netflix:
- Tour de France: Unchained: This series follows several elite cycling teams as they compete in the world’s most grueling bike race. It’s mind-blowing how these guys recover from back-to-back race days.
- BreakPoint: Travel alongside some of the world’s top tennis players as they swing for greatness and Grand Slams through an action-packed season.
Listen to Your Intuition
In April, I ran the London Marathon and completed my 6 Star World Majors. Over the past 12 years, I’ve been running pretty consistently. However, for the past 10 weeks, I’ve only been running a few times a week, mostly trails during sunset and sunrise, sometimes catching up with a friend, other times solo.
I haven’t signed up for any running races and that’s okay. After running 5 Sub 3-hour marathons in 16 months, my body and mind don’t want to rush back into serious training mode.
For the first time in my life, at age 41, I’ve found a joy for strength training at home and in the gym, a feeling I didn’t know existed. Now, 3 to 4 mornings a week around 6 am, I look forward to going to the gym and working out, similar to how I felt when I first got into running.
So how did I find joy in consistent strength training?
Here are several principles that can apply to gaining momentum in any new activity, such as strength training, running, swimming, etc.:
- Have a Beginner Mindset: Leave your ego at the door. You’re doing this for yourself, not to impress anyone.
- Don’t Rush Into It: Start small and gradually progress. This gets you much further than forcing too much too soon and risking injury or burnout.
- Slow Down: With strength training, it’s easy to rush through reps. Focus on the right form with lighter weights to gradually strengthen your ligaments, tendons, bones, and muscles.
- Allow Enough Recovery: It’s better to do 2 or 3 sessions a week consistently than 5 days one week and 1 session the next. Consistent momentum is key.
- Enjoy the Process: Celebrate small wins. As things start to feel more familiar, you’ll gain momentum. This flywheel will accelerate over time.
Strength training is helpful for all recreational runners, and I highly recommend incorporating it consistently.
Quotes on My Mind Recently by The Iceman Wim Hof
- “We can do so much more than we think.”
- “The mindset is the connection between you and your own system.”
- “You are the captain, nobody else, of your own body, your soul, and your mind.”
More from my conversation with Wim Hof on Extramilest Show #9: Watch Here
CLICK HERE to watch this video. Or listen on Apple Podcasts and or your other favorite podcast platform.
Have a great weekend ahead.
Cheers,
Floris Gierman
P.S. My recommended gear and tools
- PATH projects running apparel, 10% off your first order
- Precision Fuel and Hydration, 10% off your first order
- Ketone IQ, get 30% off your first subscription order
- LMNT, free sample pack with any drink mix purchase
- COROS, free accessory with any patch purchase, code “Floris”
- Superhuman, productivity email tool, 2 months free
- The Original Life Calendar. 4K Weeks helps you maximize life
- Personal Best running coaching program
