Are you a runner? It's kind of one of those questions that generates a pretty clear answer. For example, for runners this is what they do for exercise. It doesn't matter what the weather is. it doesn't matter if they have their training partner with them. And it doesn't matter if they are away from home. Runners will always time time and an opportunity to run. So regardless of whether somebody is a runner or not you have to appreciate the mindset runners bring to their sport. But there are a number of other benefits to include running in your training. Here are the Top 12 Reasons to Run. #1 - You can do it anywhereHow many times have been away from home and not worked out. Maybe the hotel gym was non existent. Or you're a cyclist and you didn't bring your bike on the trip. Or for whatever reason there wasn't an opportunity to train and stay active. It's pretty hard to use the same argument with running. Wherever you are in the world there is space to run. Maybe this is outdoors. Or it might be an indoor track or stairs in your hotel. Regardless it's relatively easy to find an opportunity to run. And running shoes are about the easiest thing to pack. Even if you  forget to pack some shoes you can pick up new ones on vacation and still get in a run. #2 - Return on investmentWhen we train it should be purposeful and enjoyable. In terms of having a purpose, the #1 goal of people who go to the gym is weight loss or more specifically, fat loss. Running can burn anywhere from 400-600 calories in an hour depending on the intensity. Not only are you improving your cardiovascular fitness but you are getting leaner in the...

One of the characteristics that define living things is that they respond to stimuli. In other words there is a response as a result of some external cause or action.For example blow in a baby's face and they will blink and hold their breath. Swim instructors will use this technique before a baby is submerged in a pool.***By the way, you may notice more references to babies in coming blog posts. It's what we talk about at our house these days.***Anyways, we need this stimuli for there to be a response. And the more varied the stimuli the better. This helps us develop more complete neural patterns.Think of all the things we do the same way everyday.We probably brush our teeth with the same hand. We use the computer mouse with the same hand. We probably get dressed the same way. And mow our lawn in the same pattern.You get the idea.So if the stimuli is infrequent or not varied there is a reduction in the response of the nervous system. Our brains get to take a shift off. And we don't grow as much as we could.In order to be your best you need to constantly challenge yourself. You need to step up to the line and see where you stand. Where are you at with your training? What do you need to work on? What could be better?While we can self assess to get an idea of where everything is at this doesn't compare to entering a race or event. When you compete you can't have any excuses. You have to battle through conditions that are less than ideal. You have to work with the way things unfold on a given day.Sometimes this can be malfunctioning equipment. Or cold weather. Or a change in the schedule. Or travel complications.There...