The Importance of a Monday Morning Run

Just in Time #448

Your Monday run says more about you than all your weekend miles combined.

The 2% Philosophy

In "The Forward" podcast, Michael Easter explained his 2% concept to Lance Armstrong: small, consistent improvements create compound growth that ultimately delivers extraordinary results. This isn't about occasional heroic efforts but the power of consistently showing up.

This conversation changed how I view my Monday runs.

Breaking Convention

Most runners rest on Mondays, recovering from Sunday long runs as they train for races. I run neither. I'm training for life, so my approach differs from conventional wisdom.

While others recover, I lace up – not to be contrarian but because different purposes require different practices.

Starting with a Win

Monday mornings set the tone for your week. Beginning with a run means accomplishing something meaningful before most people finish their first coffee.

That early victory triggers a cascade of positive decisions. You've already proven you can do difficult things when you'd rather not.

The Compounding Effect

Each Monday run is a small 2% improvement. These Monday miles compound over time, building not just fitness but also mental fortitude.

These small, consistent efforts lead to more significant transformations – not in dramatic bursts, but through patient accumulation.

Training for Life

Race-specific training creates peaks and valleys. Training for life requires consistency above all. Monday runs embody this approach perfectly.

The discipline to run when convention says "rest" demonstrates that life doesn't offer recovery weeks. It demands showing up daily.

The Bottom Line

Your Monday run isn't just exercise – it's a statement about your approach to life. It declares that you value consistency over convenience and daily discipline over occasional heroics.

In a world obsessed with transformations, your quiet Monday miles might be the most revolutionary act of all.

Justin Spencer-Young