Being “healthy” is just surviving.
Being fit is thriving.
Hi, I’m Joe Toole.
United States Marine corps Officer, former Cross Country captain & Boston Marathon qualifier
I believe in the inherent value of being fit. As men and women, it is not our responsibility or calling to simply coast through life. It is not our responsibility to just be healthy. I believe that we are called to do more.
Being healthy is just surviving. Being fit is thriving.
I don’t want the everyday athlete who is striving for the next level to be forced into paying for an elite track coach when that’s not their goal. I don’t want them to be alone, in the dark, or stuck in a shit program.
I want to help, at least in a small way, in the way that I know how to.
Whether your goal is to become a fit runner for its own sake or to step up your running to get the edge in soccer, or martial arts, or obstacle races - I’m here for you. I’ve done all these things and my experience in them has taught me how to balance the needs of a legit running program, the competing demands of another sport, and the daily grind of a full time job.
Let’s get to work.
Whether it’s information overload, injury worries, or lack of a track record (see what I did there?) the “other plans” usually fall short.
The problems with other running plans
1. Not enough Running
3-days a week is not enough to get good at running. Less than 15 miles a week is not enough to get good at running. If you don’t like running, and you try one of these plans, you will never get good enough for it to feel good. So you will continue to not enjoy it.
2. Not enough Variation
Any basic lifting plan will have you doing days dedicated to different parts of your body in a variety of workouts. In running, we work our muscles and cardiovascular system in different ways by varying time, distance, and pace.
3. Not enough LSD
LSD stands for Long Slow Distance. It is essential to any good plan, and it simply is not incorporated in many. If you’re not moving for an hour, you won’t build up the mitochondria in your muscles. Some people love these days because you are likely to get a runner's high. I love these days. These days make every other day feel easy, and short.
4. Not enough Easy Days
Speaking of easy, not every day should be max effort. In fact, most days should be easy days. If you try a plan that has you doing intervals or some other form of high intensity workout every day (these are out there…) you will improve quickly at first, but won’t reach what you are really capable of. You also risk burnout before seeing significant improvements.
5. Not enough Time
To do it right you need about 10-weeks (more is preferred). These plans are 12 weeks.
If you want to get better at running, maybe even be kinda good at it, then this is what you’re looking for.
