Getting Faster

. . . without running (much).

The offseason is the best time to make small changes that can make a big difference on race day. Because you are not training at full tilt, you have more time to experiment and to incorporate what works into your routine. Moreover, changing anything when you are running your peak mileage is hard, and perhaps even foolish. The time to change is now.

Here is what I want to do this summer.

(1) Sleep more.
Hard training is worthless if your body and mind do not recover. Worse, hard training without rest simply leads to injury, illness, and unhappiness.

(2) Strengthen my core.
Critical for avoiding injuries. I like Pilates and yoga. And pushups. Start slowly. You have a long time before your next big race.

(3) Get quick.
I plan to run about half as much, yet to do speed work at least twice a week. Fitness will only get you so far. Pushing that top speed is important.

(4) Eat better.
Some people think about eating when they run. I think about running when I eat. But I could still (easily) eat better -- for example, by expanding the range of vegetables I buy. (A friend suggested she wants to eat the way I do. Here is my advice: Your goal is to drive all joy from your refrigerator. What remains is good for you. You will thank me later. Probably much later.)

What are your goals? What are easy ways to get faster that I overlooked?