One of the best things you can do for yourself as summer drags on and temperatures continue to rise is remember the purpose of your runs and workouts.  Don't get caught up in the numbers or what they mean or how they indicate you are failing, instead remember this phrase

 

 

Whether it is a an easy run, a long run or a workout the best thing you can do for yourself is to stop trying to prove your fitness.  Listen to your body, slow down if your body demands it and just focus on getting better.  This takes so much of the pressure off yourself and allows you to really just focus on doing your best each time and that way you will find yourself feeling more confident and getting more fit.

We are already hard enough on ourselves, don't let the weather or other factors help our mind to pile on ourselves and convince ourselves we aren't good enough.

 

How long does it take to regain fitness after an injury? 

Grand Slam Track Funding Issues

Choosing the best running shoe for YOU with Kofuzi

How to run by feel

 

Let’s get after it!

 

Q:  “I took 8 weeks off from running due to injury—how long will it take before I feel “normal” again?”

A: The answer probably isn't what you want to hear, but the hard truth is that you should expect it to take longer than you want. 

 

When you take a full eight weeks off running (especially for a significant injury), your aerobic fitness doesn’t just pause, it starts to decline. And even though you’re eager to feel like your “old self” again, your body needs time to rebuild, adjust, and re-adapt to the stress of running. A general (and very unscientific) rule of thumb is that it takes up to twice as long as your time off to feel fully back to baseline. So if you were out for eight weeks, it may take around 16 weeks to feel completely “normal” again.

 

But here’s the thing: “normal” doesn’t mean PR-ready. It means comfortable, consistent, and confident in your aerobic base. And getting there depends on:

The biggest mistake runners make during this phase is rushing. They return too fast, pile on mileage, or jump into workouts before their body is ready, especially before that injured area is fully reconditioned. And when you push past what your weakest link can handle, it almost always pushes back.

 

Be patient. Run at the level your whole body can handle, not the level you wish you were at. Your aerobic fitness will return. Just don’t try to shortcut the process.

 

Grand Slam Track was supposed to change professional track and field. Instead, it's now facing a financial crisis, short on cash and reportedly owing athletes over $13 million.

 

For many fans, Grand Slam Track was an exciting and much-needed idea: a high-stakes, elite series with top-tier athletes competing across four meets, with winners promised up to $100,000 in prize money. The series was originally scheduled to take place in Jamaica, Miami, Philadelphia, and L.A. However, after the L.A. meet was abruptly canceled, reports of major funding issues began to surface.

 

To date, athletes are still owed millions from the very first meet. Several payment deadlines have been missed, including a key one on July 31st. At the US Track and Field Outdoor Championships, the situation became a major talking point, with multiple athletes addressing the issue during their press conferences.

 

Michael Johnson, the CEO of Grand Slam Track, recently acknowledged the organization’s failure to deliver on its promises so far. In a public post, he stated that despite the setbacks, multiple investors still believe in the long-term vision and are looking to establish lasting partnerships. Johnson also claimed that some of the financial issues stemmed from investors failing to honor their initial commitments.

 

This entire situation is deeply frustrating (and sadly familiar) for a sport that has long struggled to provide its athletes with the compensation they deserve. Perhaps the most pressing concern now is this: how can anyone trust Grand Slam Track moving forward?

 

The missed payments, the last-minute cancellation of the final meet, and the lack of transparency have clearly shaken the confidence of both athletes and fans. At this point, Grand Slam Track’s credibility is severely damaged.

 

As someone who loves watching track and field, I still hope this situation can be turned around. But rebuilding trust with athletes, fans, and investors will be a steep uphill climb, and without that trust, it's hard to imagine the series having a sustainable future.

 

In the latest episode of The Running Explained Podcast, we're bringing on a guest whose honest, relatable approach to running gear has made him a trusted voice in the running community: YouTuber and running shoe reviewer, Kofuzi!

 

We’re diving into the world of running shoes, what matters, what doesn’t, and how to find the right fit for you.

 

This one’s for you!

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With all the data at our fingertips, it’s easy to overlook the most powerful training tool we have: our own body. Running by feel means tuning in to your effort, breathing, and energy levels to guide your training, rather than relying solely on numbers. This approach helps prevent overtraining, builds confidence, improves consistency, and makes you a smarter racer. It’s a skill anyone can develop (check out this episode with Jason Fitzgerald, where we break down how to improve your pacing), and it starts with  paying attention during your easy runs and learning how different efforts feel (hello, mindful running!). The goal: to build an internal compass that leads to more sustainable, intuitive running.

 

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