Suck It, Age: Top 4 Tips That Helped Deanna Run Her Fastest 5K
“Suck it, age!” That’s what D shouted when she strutted into the studio fresh off her birthday 5K… where she clocked her fastest miles yet.
How did this mom of two do it? Well, besides being stubborn as hell (a quality I admire deeply — she could probably out-stare a brick wall), she trained smart, fueled right, and didn’t let any past crummy runs mess with her mojo.
I asked D what her secrets to getting to that fastest miles were and, believe it or not: we had almost the same, exact list.
So you wanna run a faster mile? Here’s the game plan:
Build strength. Runners who lift heavy don’t just look badass — they run stronger, longer, and faster. Squats, lunges, deadlifts = your new besties.
Train for power. Explosive moves like kettlebell swings, cleans, or vertical jumps teach your muscles to fire faster. Translation: your legs stop feeling like cement blocks and start feeling like rocket boosters.
Train for distance. If you can increase your running miles, you can play around with speed on the days you do shorter runs. That’s what D did on her birthday 5K and that’s how she got her best time yet.
Fuel like you mean it. A mix of carbs + protein about an hour before — enough to feel powered-up, not stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey.
Ride the waves. Some runs are going to SUCK. Like, “why do my legs feel like anvils?” suck. Acknowledge it. Let it go. Move on.
And finally… make friends with your playlist. Find a track that hits your stride just right — D’s pick: Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust. Whatever it is, let it carry you through those miles.
