Be Flexible!

For recreational runners, there’s no such thing as a training plan set in stone!  When we decide to train for a race, we dedicate ourselves to that training.  We do our best to follow it to the letter.  Unfortunately, life doesn’t always agree with our plan and wants our attention elsewhere.  Or, our bodies are just not in a cooperative mood.  Whatever the situation, we have to learn to be flexible.  There will be some days when you just can’t get your miles in or your body is not willing to let you push it any further.  You have choices here.  You can either cross-train using or you can simply just rest and make the day up at another opportune time.

For the days when you are just over the running and need to train, there are running specific activities that will meet your need.  You can swim, bike, run in the pool, or do the elliptical.  Other cross training activities includes Yoga, Pilates, weight training, kick-boxing, and cross-fit. 

Also, keep in mind that as you progress in your training, your abilities will change.  Because of that, you will need to adjust your training to meet your new abilities. 

Each individual has unique limits.  If you just need a break, take one.  You are not training for the Olympic Trials!  You should take the pressure off and allow flexibility in your training. 

Happy Running!

Yulonda Burris – Founder

SoleSociety Run Club

Too Fast, Too Soon!

Do you remember when you first started running?  I do!  I remember the high I felt when I finished my first 5K and the excitement I got from the realization that my heart didn't explode at mile 2!  I was ready to take it to the next level.  The 10K and the half marathon.  Unfortunately, I was caught up by all the abilities of the more experienced runners who were out there running 10K’s and half marathons.  I felt that if they could do it, I should be able to do it too.  I was right, I could do it, but at a cost.

I increased my miles way too fast and began to over train my body.  I ended up with lower back pain, runner’s knee, and plantar fasciitis.  I was obviously doing way too much, way too soon!  I should have taken the time to properly train.  Master one distance at a time.  It’s unrealistic for someone to run their first 5K and then get out there to train for their first half marathon unless you are a naturally born runner.  Doing this significantly increases your risk of injury.  Your only focus is running.  There’s no focus on cross-training or mastering your skills on your current level.

I have made some serious mistakes in my running journey.  I want to use my mistakes to help keep others from making the same ones.  Training is trial and error, but you must have realistic expectations.  You are in no competition with anyone but yourself.  Get comfortable with where you are before you jump to the next level.  Your body and wallet will thank you!

Happy Running!

Yulonda Burris
SoleSociety Run Club Founder

Rough Patch - It's Temporary!

I stopped running in 2013.  Plagued with plantar fasciitis and significant life changes, I put running on the back-burner.  I ran a little but nothing like in the previous two years.  My Nike Plus activity was laughable!  My running buddies were nudging me to get back on the pavement.  I would run occasionally but wasn’t consistent.  Every time I tried, I would experience everything that I used to hate about running.  My breathing was awful, my legs were heavy, and I couldn’t run a mile without walking (which isn’t a bad thing but not common for where I was).  Very discouraging.  I had to sit down and have a hard talk with myself.  I realized that running is a sport of challenges and if I wanted to continue, I had to set clear expectations. 

I did an analysis of why my running was suffering (besides the fact that I wasn’t consistent).  I was stressed.  I wasn’t sleeping properly, eating right, and worse, I was letting all of the negative thoughts about my “failures” plague my mind.    

I realized that if I intend to be a better runner, I needed to at least do the following:

1.       Be consistent

2.       Get sufficient rest/sleep

3.       Fuel myself properly

4.       Stretch before and after any physical activities

5.       Cross-train

6.       Understand that with any sport, there is a risk of injury (expect that it “could” happen not “will” happen!)

After documenting this, I put everything into perspective.  None of it meant that I was down for the count!  It just meant that I needed to change my training to get me back on the pavement.  I needed to rid myself of the negativity and stop internalizing things.  I also needed to clearly understand that if I was truly passionate about running, I needed to accept that setbacks are a part of training, but they are temporary!

My encouragement to you:

Running can be fun!  RELAX and enjoy it.  Take the pressure off.  Join a local run group for the social aspects.  Eliminating the pressure can help with your performance and can reduce the risk of burnout.   Running is mental and physical.  The more your practice this, the more you can change your behavior.  Your mind and body are trainable and will do what you train them to do.

Happy Running!

Yulonda Burris - Founder

SoleSociety Run Club

The Birth of SoleSociety Run Club

The beginning:

I am doing something I never thought I would do.  I am turning my passion into a reality!  I am starting a run club!  It’s funny; it took my neighbor harassing me to do a triathlon for me to walk into this new life.  I wasn't a pro at either sport.  I didn't swim (I just couldn't), I didn't ride a bike (I could, I just didn't), and I didn't run (I really hated running).  Since I don’t like to let anything beat me, I worked very hard to conquer my fears and put aside my dislikes to successfully complete two sprint triathlons!  During that experience, I realized that the part that moved me the most was the running. 

The turning point:

I was given the opportunity to lead a local chapter of a national run organization and LOVED IT!  I learned through that experience that my greatest joy is to help others.  After almost two years of leading/promoting/supporting /encouraging, my time with the run organization ended.  I quickly realized that I still wanted to help others.  I still wanted to be a part of that social, encouraging environment.  Did the impossible just happen?  Did I realize that I had fallen in love with running?

The leap of faith:

After much prayer and encouragement from those I had helped, I started a local group near my house.  We hit the pavement together and it felt really good supporting people again.  It snowballed.  In two months, it grew from 5 people to 108 people.  I was stunned and humbled.  I wanted to become a credible coach.  I felt that I was a strong leader but lacking in the formal education of running.  I recently took the Road Runners Club of America Coaching Certification Course to officially become a certified run coach. 

Now, I want to share all that I have learned with anyone interested in hearing it.  I don’t want new runners to experience running the way most of us do, through trial and error.  I want to put experience and expert knowledge together to help runners out there to remain injury-free and truly enjoy the sport of running. 

If you’re interested in learning more, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!  Join us!  We are the SoleSociety Run Club and we are here to Educate, Inspire and Encourage!

Happy Running!

Yulonda Burris

SoleSociety Run Club Founder