September 19th, 2023

Coach Jen

“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” That’s the motto I use when training for or competing in endurance events. In my years of long distance running I’ve come to find that rushing the process, whether that be in day to day training or an actual event, rarely leads to long term success but rather burn out, injury or a result below my expectations. In the beginning, there were many races where I completely rushed through aid stations without the proper fuel or hydration I needed all in the name of “saving time”. This strategy would then backfire a few miles down the trail when the competitors I passed at the aid station quickly started to pass me because I needed to slow my pace due to a lack of calories. I was forced to learn that rushing the journey does not lead to success. Take the time to take care of you and you’ll be equipped to go the journey prepared. Maybe I spent a few more seconds in the aid station but I quickly regained those seconds by being smooth instead of rushed and maintaining a steady pace throughout the race.

The same is true in our health journey. “Maybe I’ll just cut calories drastically to get to my goal faster. Perhaps taking no rest days will get me that six pack. Or, possibly the scale will drop drastically if I cut a few food groups out.” All of those strategies may be “fast” but what I’ve come to find is that fast is choppy and choppy is slow. Sure, maybe you cut your calories drastically and lose 8 lbs in a week, only to be left with intense urges to binge and have no energy to move your body. Or, you take the avenue of no rest days and find yourself burned out or worse, injured and are forced to take 6 weeks off because your body couldn’t withstand the load. Rushing the process will not lead to the results we think it may. Maybe taking it a little slower won’t have you where you want to be at that vacation in August and rather your Christmas holiday instead, but if done in a sustainable way, that process won’t have to be continually repeated year after year (which takes a toll on your mind and body) and you’ll have the freedom of a system that works smoothly for you.

So the next time you’re tempted to skip a meal, deny yourself rest- or even worse, deny yourself life, just remember. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.