Tara Dower, professional ultra-runner and goodr athlete, recently sat down with us to spill all her training secrets. Read on for the deets on beets, and how a little delusion can go a long way (like 100 miles long).
Consistency : You can do a lot of things to improve performance, but if you aren't consistent, then you'll never get better. Do the simple things consistently (daily 80/20 training, fueling, sleep, mobility) and you'll be on the right path.
Community : Find a community that supports, encourages, and loves you. Do the same for them. A good way to start this is by volunteering at a local race or event.
The Love of the Game : Joy is a huge part of my athletic journey. I got into trail running through my love of the trails and nature. Find that joy first, and you'll build a solid foundation that'll keep you coming back to your chosen activity.
Sleep : If you train/work hard, you should also give your body the proper rest. If you don't, you'll grind yourself into a hole. I try to get around 8-10 hours of sleep a night. Sometimes I can't fall asleep.
Be Delusional: When I was starting out, I had big goals, and I just believed that I would achieve them. Some called it delusional, but I was a dreamer. These days I have a healthy relationship with tricking myself. If something isn't going my way in training or if I don't get enough sleep, I'll be a little delusional or gaslight myself and say, "It's Fine!" It helps me move on to solutions and not dwell on the negative.
Beet Juice: I started drinking beet juice and really enjoy the taste, but it is also really good for you! It improves cardiorespiratory endurance and lowers blood pressure.
Heat Training: During peak season, I sauna 4-5 times a week. During an off-season, I sauna 2-3 times a week. This has helped with my heat acclimation but also is a huge stress reliever.
