Lock in on Consistency, Steady Runs and the Small Stuff
As summer rolls in and schedules start to feel a little looser, it’s easy to drift from structure. But if you're serious about growth, whether you're chasing a PR or just trying to become a more durable, resilient athlete, this is the season to lock in. Not with flashy workouts or unsustainable routines, but with the kind of consistency that compounds over time.
I believe the two most powerful levers in your training are steady runs and the small stuff. You won’t be bragging about them on Strava. But they quietly, relentlessly move you forward.
Steady Runs: The Engine Builders
Steady running is the heart of aerobic development. These aren't your easy shakeouts, and they’re not full-throttle efforts either. Think of them as your working pace, the effort you can hold for a long time without falling apart, where you’re focused but in control.
Steady runs train your body to become more efficient at using oxygen, clearing waste, and sustaining pace. They teach you patience and pacing. Do enough of them consistently, and you build an engine that can take on just about anything.
Sweat the Small Stuff
Summer is also the time to build better habits because you actually have the time. Want to level up this season? Be the athlete who:
Hydrates consistently
Sleeps 8–10 hours
Does mobility work after every run
Sticks with strength circuits
Preps gear the night before
Logs their training notes daily
Fuels well before and after runs
None of this takes a ton of time. But all of it stacks. When you show up to the start line months from now, the difference between “ready” and “next level” is in these small daily choices.
Trust the Process, Stack the Weeks
You don’t need to crush every workout. Instead, aim to stack the weeks. Show up, do the work, recover, repeat. Miss less. Over time, the athlete who keeps showing up—doing steady runs, taking care of the little things, staying healthy—builds momentum that can’t be faked.
Live What You Love,
~ Coach Dusty
