Hello, my good running friend!

I hope you’re enjoying training. If you’re not getting out there for one reason or another, remember that everything is better than nothing. It’s the habit of getting out the door that will make you a runner.

Can’t run? Keep the habit alive by getting out for a walk.

Don’t feel like it? Do the bare minimum.

Even a 15-30 minute jog makes a world of difference compared to staying on the couch. Establishing and maintaining the habit will let you get through almost any challenge. And if there’s one certainty, it is that there will be challenges. Always.

Anyways, let’s get down to business.

🎒 IAMRUNBOX Backpack Pro 2.0 Review

“You prepare everything the night before. As the darkness rolls in, you go to bed to prepare for an early start the next morning. With monk-like devotion, you’ve dedicated yourself to a particular way of living. The way of the run commuter.”

I’ve been run commuting for a couple of months now. My backpack of choice is the Backpack Pro 2.0 from IAMRUNBOX. In this review, I explore the good and the bad aspects of this product. As a friendly warning, this review is probably more detailed than you’re looking for in a backpack review. Unless you’re considering buying a premium product, like this one, that is.

>> Read the full review

💭 Running Mantras and Why They Work

“A running mantra is a form of positive self-talk with incredible power. Studies have shown that self-talk heavily influences our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and that positive self-talk can improve one’s confidence and reduce anxiety.”

We often get caught up in the minutiae of training while trying to become faster. In doing so, it’s easy to overlook the mental aspect. It is an essential part of trying to maximise your fitness. This article explores one particular detail of the mental game, namely mantras. A trick of sorts, it is a technique that helps you dig deep, and one that I’ve used successfully.

>> Read the article

👯 An Elegy for My Long-Lost Running Friends

“Training partners have a peculiar kind of bond. It’s symbiotic, vaguely transactional. The basic idea is to help each other reach a certain level of discomfort. You’re working together, but you’re also very much alone.”

Running is great, but running with people is awesome. If you’re anything like me, you might love running alone for the simplicity. There’s no need to plan, schedule, wait, and adjust. But if you take one thing away from this piece by the ever eloquent Martin Fritz Huber, it should be that running with other people regularly is well worth the minor inconvenience.

>> Read the article

💬 Community Chat with Jason Fitzgerald

Jason Fitzgerald is a known quantity for many in the running community. Through his high quality content across a multitude of channels, he’s helped many a runner nail their training.

Who are you, where are you, and what do you do?

I'm Jason, a running coach and podcaster in Denver, Colorado. I help runners improve and accomplish their goals, whether that's a big personal best, more consistency, or preventing that next big injury. I do that through our evidence-based training programs, award winning blog, YouTube channel, and our top podcast.

How did you first get into running?

I used to hate running and actively avoided all of the running events during "Track & Field" week in middle school. But I enjoyed high jumping! So a year later when high school started, I tried out for the cross country team because I thought cross was similar to track. I quickly learned that all they did was run! Thankfully, the coach and team were fun so I stuck with it, soon getting hooked on the sport.

What does running mean to you today, and has that changed over the years?

I'm not focused on performance anymore since I don't have the bandwidth to train 85+ miles per week like I used to. I still love running and feel compelled to run almost every day, though. Running has become a healthy habit, something that lets me get my energy out, stay fit and healthy, and connect with other runners.

Do you have any goals you’re training towards?

Not really at the moment!

What’s your favourite workout?

Nothing beats a long trail run in the mountains of Colorado with a few good friends.

And, lastly, where can the runners who are reading this follow you, and perhaps even reach out to you to talk about running?

The best place to connect is strengthrunning.com, the Strength Running Podcast, our YouTube channel, or on Instagram.

That’s all for this edition of the newsletter. I hope you liked it.

Until next week,

Lars-Christian