040: Do All Miles Matter? Chop Wood, Carry Water...

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.  After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. 

This Buddhist statement about chopping wood and carrying water highlights the importance of fundamentals, no matter what stage you are at along your journey.  

It is important to understand that improvement in running, health, or really any worthwhile venture happen over a long period of time and through many small (and seemingly boring) steps.  

While the allure of the Instagram worthy workout or magic training secrets are attractive, the truth is that getting better simply requires consistency towards a goal.

In running, the recovery distance, stability exercises, and mobility work are the foundation of great achievements.  

Do not discount stability, as it is likely the reason you are not injured.

Do not ignore mobility; it is fixing that small ache before you are sidelined.  

Do not regard easy runs as “junk” mileage, because they literally are the steps needed to reach your goal.

While it would be amazing to see huge improvements day after day, appreciate the small steps that keep you moving forward, and that, with time, build you into a stronger, faster, and more accomplished runner.   

Hope you enjoy it!! Let us know if you have any questions that you would like answered on our show!   

Thanks for Listening!!

Come join us for the Key West Half Marathon on January 20, 2019!  It is our first Real Life Runners destination race, and we would love to meet you in person!  

We are working out all of the details now, and will hopefully have some special rates on hotels/accommodations as well as a fun after-party for our tribe of listeners.  We currently have a discount code for our listeners, so if you are ready to register, use the code REALLIFE when checking out on

Join the Real Life Runners Team today! 

https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.