Why easy runs make you stronger, and the myth that running has to be hard

Running doesn’t have to be hard. Easy runs, done at a comfortable pace, help you build endurance, recover faster, and stay consistent without unnecessary stress.

In this episode of Your Running Coach with GMacSpurr podcast, Coach G challenges one of the most common beliefs in running: that a run only “counts” if it feels hard. From fitness culture to online trends, society has painted a picture that workouts need to be punishing to be effective. This couldn’t be further from the truth. What if the real power of running came from letting it be easy, especially in the beginning?

Coach G explores how effort and ease can work together. She shows why “harder isn’t always better,” and the surprising benefits that come from running with less pressure. Whether you’re new to running or seasoned but stuck in the “it has to hurt” mentality, this episode is your reminder that easier doesn’t mean less effective. It means more sustainable, more enjoyable, and more freeing.

Listen to the episode right here, and then read on for some powerful journal prompts. These will help you to shift your mindset to value ease over struggle. And why not check out the Runner Mindset Workshop recording at the end of this blog. This will help you understand – and update – what you are telling yourself about you as a runner.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a running friend who needs encouragement, and don’t forget to subscribe to Your Running Coach with GMacSpurr podcast for more running mindset tips so that you don’t miss an episode.
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Running doesn’t have to be hard – journal prompts

Here are some great journal prompts to help you shift your mindset around easing off:

• Where in my running life am I making things harder than they need to be?
• What would “letting it be easy” look like for me this week? What difficult stories am I telling myself?
• What am I afraid will happen if I stop pushing all the time?

After you’ve used these prompts to delve deeper, come over to the Your Running Coach with GMacSpurr community to continue the conversation.

Here is a fantastic and free Runner Mindset Workshop to help you reclaim your runner story and spot the mindset stories that are holding you back.