Intentional walking is not failing to run. For many people, learning to run without walk breaks is a right of passage. It shows that endurance has improved and you are able to run continuously without needing to stop. However, intentional walk breaks during run workouts (or racing) are not a sign of weakness or failing to run. They are a purposeful tool for endurance triathletes and runners to help support long-term development and higher-quality training. Strategically inserted walking allows heart rate, breathing, and muscular tension to partially reset, enabling you to maintain better mechanics and aerobic efficiency throughout the workout or race. This means better recovery and less stress from each run workout and the ability to run faster for longer on race day. From a physiological standpoint, walk breaks reduce excessive fatigue in the neuromuscular system and can help keep the effort aligned with its intended training zones. They also decrease cumulative impa...
Today, Karel celebrates 50 years on Earth. Fifty years of cycling, training, racing and traveling. Of immigration struggles and eventually becoming a U.S. citizen. Of adopting animals and having to say goodbye to several of them. Of getting married (to me!). Of working his way through different jobs and industries, starting a small business, moving to a different country and then a different state. Fifty years of exploring, adventuring, failing, struggling, succeeding, taking risks, starting over, figuring things out—and experiencing all that life has thrown his way. Fifty years of his favorites: croissants, cats, ice cream, chocolate and coffee. Fifty years of becoming the person he is today. On Saturday afternoon, I surprised Karel. I don’t know how I got away with it but it was my 3rd time throwing him a surprise birthday party (I also surprised him on his 30th and 40th birthday). Knowing that Karel is not excited about turning 50, he thought that I “forgot” about his birthday. Litt...