that’s runnable
The 39th Edition of your favourite Running Newsletter
Every step you take while running is a choice. Are you light on your feet, or are you pounding the ground? Are you driving forward with efficiency, or are you leaking energy with every movement? I’ve been passionate about this topic ever since I realised I was injury-prone, and for the last five or six years, it’s been the single most impactful thing I’ve changed in how I approach my training.
I am so excited to be launching That’s Runnable’s Coaching Hub this month! My hope is that it will help you in more ways than you expect 🙏
We’re trying to do something different. Not just marathon training plans, something deeper and more lasting.
Become a stronger, more resilient, and grounded runner.
Join the waitlist to find out more when it happens 🙂
Something to Think About 💭
Mindless movement leads to wasted energy. Intentional movement leads to efficiency, longevity, and better performance.
Something to Ask Yourself ❓
Do you know how your body moves when you run, or are you just hoping it all works out?
Article of the Week 📄
This week’s article delves into the profound connection between physical activity and mental well-being. By integrating mindfulness into workouts, individuals can manage stress, alleviate depression, and boost overall mental clarity. Have a read of this, it’ll provide insights into harnessing the synergy of body and mind to optimise both physical fitness and emotional balance.
Track of the Week 🎶
You want some good vibes? Well, these guys know how to serve up plates of it!
This week’s Track is the latest from Rampa (& friends):
Say What by Rampa, Adam Port, &ME, chuala, Keinemusik (2024)
Personal Lesson
For most of my life, I saw movement as a means to an end. Running was about hitting a pace, lifting was about moving a weight, and exercise, in general, was just about getting fitter or looking better. I rarely gave much attention to how I moved.
Eventually, youth stopped being my advantage, and my mid-twenties repeatedly served up minor injuries from the exercise I was doing. I knew that if I was to continue pushing myself in the way I was, I needed to do something about it. What started as a way to prevent injury became the single most valuable thing in my training. I began to understand that movement wasn’t just about exertion; it was about precision and efficiency.
I started paying attention to form in everything I did. In my running and lifting, yes, but I also became more aware of my habits outside of my training. I noticed how I sat, how I stood, how I carried myself throughout the day. I started being more intentional with my movement patterns. I focused on how my foot landed, how my arms moved, how my posture influenced my stride. I became aware of which muscles were engaging (and which ones were slacking off). The impact was huge. Running stopped feeling like a battle against my own body. Each rep in the gym became a practice of mindfulness, not just a movement to complete. My stride became smoother, my endurance improved, and I started noticing potential issues earlier.
But more than that, I started enjoying movement in a completely new way. Running wasn’t just about getting fitter; it was about feeling how my body worked. Strength training wasn’t just about lifting, it was about understanding why certain muscles activated the way they did. Even walking and standing started feeling different, like I was more in control of how I carried myself. The more aware I became of my movement, the more I enjoyed it.
And it extended beyond training. The ability to move with control, strength, and awareness changed the way I experienced life. Hiking felt easier. Sitting for long periods felt less restrictive. Even daily tasks, like climbing stairs or carrying groceries, became opportunities to engage my body properly rather than thoughtlessly straining through them. The more I paid attention to movement, the more I appreciated how incredible the human body is.
Running – Life’s Metaphor
How you move through the world is just as important as where you’re going. Move carelessly, and you’ll burn out or get injured. Move with intention, and you’ll go further with less wasted effort.
Final Thoughts
Most runners focus on how much they run, but few pay attention to how they run. But small inefficiencies add up. A lazy arm swing, a hunched back, a sloppy stride, over time, these cost you speed, endurance, and even enjoyment.
I have good news for you, too.Moving with intention doesn’t require major changes. It starts with awareness. The next time you run, check in with your body. Are your shoulders tense? Is your core engaged? Are your feet landing softly? These small adjustments can make a huge difference.
And this awareness doesn’t stop with running. Whether you’re lifting weights, sitting at your desk, or walking down the street, the way you move matters. It’s easy to go through life on autopilot, letting bad movement patterns develop unnoticed. But when you bring awareness to how you move, you unlock a new level of strength and control.
If you move well, you’ll run well. And if you run well, you’ll enjoy the process a whole lot more. Movement isn’t just a tool for fitness; it’s something to appreciate, refine, and even take pride in. The better you move, the better you live.
Thanks again for reading and subscribing.
Run the runnable, and keep showing up for yourself!
Tommy 🙂
