How do you know if you'll be successful as a runner?

It mostly comes down to luck (genetics) and work (training). We can't affect the former, so let's focus on the biggest variable that impacts our success: the training that we do.

That training must follow some broad but important rules if you want to avoid performance plateaus and continuously improve year after year.

Those rules can be best summarized in three of the most important words for runners: consistency, progressive, and modulation.

Your training must be consistent: uninterrupted and continuous.

It also must be progressive: evolving over time to gradually become more challenging.

And it must be modulated: varied workload and training focus from season to season and year to year.

In this episode of the podcast, Jason discusses each idea and brings you time-tested strategies for improving each.

Thank You Elemental Labs!

This episode is supported by our new sponsor Elemental Labs. They make electrolyte supplements for athletes that are high in sodium.

Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day. Those low sodium symptoms can be headaches, low energy, muscle cramps, and even insomnia.

I've used their raspberry and citrus flavored Recharge packets and it's much tastier than other electrolyte mixes precisely because of its high salt content. And they're used by Olympians, the military, and other top performances. Visit them at drinklmnt.com/strengthrunning/