Running is no joke.  Adding miles to your “usual distance” is not done overnight.  You may be new to running or you may have completed a few half-marathons and are reaching for a full one.  Endurance is built the same way for runners with all levels of expertise (or lack of).

If you’ve been stuck logging the same amount of miles for the last few months, it’s time to step it up.  Challenge yourself to go farther.  Here are some tips on how to build endurance.

• Strength Train: To go farther, you need to strengthen those muscles.  With power in your legs and arms, you can go the distance.
• Go Slow: Add distance to at least one run per week, but slow down your pace.  Running slow and steady will help you build up to added miles.  Then once you have the distance down, you can focus on increasing your pace again.
• Sprint Work: Adding in a day or two of sprints every week can really help your endurance.  Like strength training, it’ll build muscle and make your “normal runs” feel easy, allowing you to go farther.
• Ab Work: Sure, you use your legs when you run, but endurance comes from your core.  Getting strong abs will give your better running posture, making a long run effortless.
• Fuel Correctly: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – your body needs carbs prior to cardio.  This will create the energy you need to go for miles and miles.
• Mantra:  So much of running is mental.  I always have a few mantras in my head to push myself when I feel like I can’t go anymore.  My favorite – Don’t quit when you’re tired. Quit when you’re done.
• Pump up the Jams: Sometimes running is, er, boring.  Load up your iPod with some fast-paced songs and you won’t even think about how far you’re going!

For some other running motivation – check out these blog posts on Map My Run, Tips for Beginning Runners and The Marathon Club.

 

Workout Wednesday blog posts are written by UNC Campus Recreation. Each Wednesday we swap blog posts with the Tar Heel Tone Up blog so that readers can view more diverse post topics that will benefit their health and wellness. Workout Wednesday blog posts can be found both here and on tarheeltoneup.com.