December 5, 2024

Running

HOW TO BE A BETTER RUNNER

The new running season has started, and we learned within our 12 years that running is more than just a sport—it’s a lifelong journey. No matter your age or pace, there’s always room to grow. Within the Berlin Braves community, inspiration is never far away; you’ll find your weekly running friends constantly improving and excelling at what they love.
Whether it’s conquering the Berlin Marathon or smashing the Copenhagen Half together, we all strive to boost our tempo and build endurance. Some are taking their first steps into running, others are bouncing back from injuries or returning postpartum, —each finding their unique ways to level up.

Setting the Right Goal
Once you identify an area for improvement, it’s time to focus on goal-setting. Whether you’re returning to running, aiming for a 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, or even venturing into ultra distances, setting the right goals can make all the difference. Together with our wonderful Coach Andi, we work on defining those goals, creating benchmarks, and celebrating milestones along the way. Achieving these goals doesn’t just improve performance—it builds self-confidence, too.

“Be yourself. Don’t try to be somebody else.”
This isn’t just advice; it’s a reminder. Avoid comparing yourself to other runners. While we share a common love for running, everyone’s journey is unique. Some have years of experience, while others are just starting. No matter where you are, we train together, support one another, and celebrate the wins—big or small—as one team.

Seek Consistency
Improvement in running doesn’t come from a single magic workout or perfect training plan—it’s all about consistency. Sticking with your training and steadily building fitness over time is the key to progress. While long runs and specific workouts play a role, one great session won’t outweigh the benefits of a solid, balanced week of quality running.

“Consistency—and the patience that comes with it—is essential,”

“Unfortunately, nothing happens overnight. To build strength the right way, you go through cycles of breaking down your body, recovering, and repeating. This process takes time, but it’s the foundation of sustainable improvement.”

Embrace the Community
Running with the Braves provides support, accountability, and inspiration. Surrounding yourself with others who share your passion can motivate you to push your limits while having fun along the way. It might be a bit scary in the beginning but we are called the Braves for a reason

Key Insight: You don’t have to run at the same pace or finish the same distance as others. Celebrate your journey with your friends. It’s OK to be a bit nerdy about it. We somehow all are. 🙂

Give Yourself Time to Rest and Recover
Rest and recovery are just as crucial as the training itself. Prioritising strength training, stretching, quality sleep, and injury prevention ensures you can train consistently and avoid setbacks.
As one athlete put it, “I don’t want to risk it. Taking one or two extra days off might seem like a small thing, but it can make all the difference in staying injury-free. Maybe I’m overly cautious, but that approach has kept me healthy.”
Listening to your body and giving it the time it needs to recover will ultimately help you go further, faster, and stronger in the long run.

Run, Party, Repeat
You’ve achieved your goal—congratulations! Now it’s time to celebrate in style because you’ve earned it. Treat yourself to some well-deserved rest and recovery, and take a break to do something completely different for your body.
Once you’ve taken a break from running and recharged, it’s time to focus on your next goal. There’s nothing more rewarding than proving to yourself that you can exceed your past achievements and continue striving for the best version of yourself. So rest up, dream big, and get ready to crush it all over again!

YOU ARE 100% BRAVES!
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All images by Ruben Schmitz