In a World of Right Moves, Take Some Lefts
Sometimes the smartest move isn’t forward, it’s sideways. Or completely off-script. And in a sport that’s often measured in straight lines, there’s a lot of power in learning to take a few lefts
As athletes, we’re constantly told to make the next right move—pace smarter, train harder, recover better. There’s value in structure and progression, but when training starts to feel like a box you’re trapped in, maybe it’s time to step out of the lines.
Sometimes the smartest move isn’t forward, it’s sideways. Or diagonal. Or completely off-script. And in a sport that’s often measured in straight lines, there’s a lot of power in learning to take a few lefts.
Redefine What It Means to Compete
Competing doesn’t always have to be about winning or hitting a certain time. It can be about showing up for the experience, stepping into something new, and remembering how fun it is to be challenged in unfamiliar ways.
Sign up for a trail race, triathlon, or adventure run
Focus on effort and exploration, not pace or placement
Compete for curiosity, not perfection
When you remove the pressure to “perform,” you often find a new gear—the one powered by joy.
Try a New Way to Train
Cross-training isn’t just for injured athletes. It’s one of the best ways to shift your mindset, reset your body, and stay strong without obsessing over weekly mileage.
Strength training: Feel progress as your numbers go up, not down
Yoga or barre: Build control and mobility in new ways
Swimming or cycling: Explore endurance without pounding pavement
Changing the structure changes how you show up. You’re not chasing your watch, you’re focused on being present—and that mental reset can be just what you need to come back better.
Break Your Routine, On Purpose
If your daily run is starting to feel like a loop you can’t escape, the best thing you can do is go somewhere new. Not for speed. Not for stats. Just to see what’s out there.
Run by time, not distance 30 or 40 minutes with no destination
Take a different road, even if you’re not sure where it leads
Wander, meander, get a little lost
Let curiosity be your compass
No one ever said the best runs had to be the fastest. Some of the most meaningful runs are the ones where you lose track of everything—except the feeling.
Look for What’s Good
Coming back from an injury, bad race, or tough season? You don’t always need to push harder—you need to feel something positive again first. Small wins build momentum.
One of my favorite ideas comes from my friend Lexi Miller:
“Go find the good things.”
That might sound strange, but try it.
Pick a color—yellow, blue, orange
On your next run, look for it: flowers, signs, shoes, leaves
Every time you spot it, smile
It shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s present. And that simple switch in attention can change everything.
Use a Physical Trigger to Reset
Negative thoughts happen. That’s normal. What matters is how quickly you notice them—and how you respond.
I use a cue called “Two claps and move on.” Literally, I clap my hands twice when I catch myself spiraling or getting stuck in a negative loop. It helps break the cycle and bring me back to the moment.
Try clapping, shaking your arms, tapping your fingers, or taking a deep breath
Build it into your routine as a reset button
Use it mid-run, mid-race, mid-conversation
It’s not about ignoring hard thoughts, it’s about giving yourself a way to move forward. I’ve used this as a coach too, especially during races when I’m tempted to doubt or overanalyze what my athletes are doing. It’s a reminder to trust them, and their instincts.
When in Doubt, Take a Left
We often get caught up trying to do the right thing, follow the perfect plan, say the perfect thing, run the perfect race. Sometimes the best way to move forward is to take a few creative detours.
If you feel stuck, don’t double down on what isn’t working. Try the opposite:
Let yourself be a beginner again
Be playful, not perfect
Take a risk, without needing to win
You're in the driver's seat. A few unexpected turns won’t make the wheels fall off.
Check your blind spots: self-doubt, fear, limiting beliefs
Use your signal: talk to a coach, a teammate, someone who knows your heart
Tap the brakes if you need to: there’s no shame in slowing down
Then, when the road opens up—go. Go fully, go confidently, and go with the kind of joy that only comes when you’ve stopped trying to get everything “right.”
Be willing to meander. The path to success has many turns.
