Catchup with Coach M Edition 36 - Consistency and results
- Active Living Active Living
- Apr 13
- 4 min read
Walking the Talk: Applying My Own Training Principles and Seeing Results
There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching your own advice in action — not from the side lines, but in the middle of the race, grinding up a climb, checking your form, monitoring your effort, and feeling it actually work.
This weekend’s 15km race in Somerset West was a personal experiment. Not just another run on the calendar, but a chance to apply my own coaching principles and see if they still hold up when the legs are tired, the wind is howling, and the week leading up to the race has been far from perfect. Read the race report for the full story and see all the beautiful views!
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - Consistency Over Perfection
We live in a world that’s obsessed with perfection—perfect routines, perfect progress charts, perfect habits. But if there’s one thing life, and especially running, has taught me, it’s this:
perfection is a myth.
Consistency, on the other hand, is very real—and it changes everything.
There’s something powerful about simply showing up, even when you’re not at your best. On the days you’re tired, demotivated, unsure, or just feeling off, showing up still matters. We tell ourselves we need the right conditions—the perfect mood, the ideal environment, that magic burst of motivation—but real growth almost never happens in perfect conditions. It shows up in the messy, unfiltered moments: in early mornings, hard conversations, and quiet choices that no one else sees.
In running, showing up can look like lacing up your shoes when your legs are heavy. In life, it might be following through on something you said you’d do, even if you don’t feel like it anymore. The point is: you don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be present.
One of the most freeing mindset shifts I’ve experienced is realizing that consistency isn’t about motivation. It’s about decisions. Motivation is emotional—it comes and goes.
Commitment is different. It’s a discipline. It’s choosing to move forward even when it’s not convenient or exciting. It’s the quiet “yes” that builds momentum. It’s showing up for yourself when no one else would know if you didn’t.
It often starts small. Drink a glass of water. Write one sentence. Walk around the block. Open the laptop. Once you start, your brain usually catches up. Action brings clarity. Progress doesn’t wait for the perfect mindset—it follows presence.
Some days you’ll feel on top of the world. Others, you’ll barely make it through. But every effort counts. Every choice. Every quiet decision. And it especially counts when no one’s watching. Progress doesn’t always come in big, loud victories. Often it’s in the little things: a more patient response, one less excuse, choosing growth over comfort, getting back up one day sooner than you used to. These subtle shifts stack up. Quiet consistency always beats loud intensity.
Personal growth isn’t about being the best—it’s about being a little better than you were yesterday. Even if that’s just by 1%. It’s about keeping those promises you make to yourself. The ones no one else sees. That’s where real confidence comes from. That’s where self-trust is built. That’s where momentum begins.
And if you’re feeling behind, let me remind you: you’re not late. You’re not too far gone. You’re not falling behind. You’re still learning. Still growing. Still showing up—and that matters.
So if today feels heavy, show up anyway. One small action. One honest moment. One step forward.
TRAINING CALENDER - Because consistency beats perfection. Every single time. (NOTE: Please remember that fitness is my work and therefor My load is a LOT higher than your standard person - PLEASE do not try imitate my program without a proper consultation with a coach and ensure you are always medically cleared to train) Not every week is ground breaking. Some weeks, the biggest win isn’t a personal best or a big mileage jump — it’s simply doing what needs to be done, as well as you can, with what you’ve got.
This past week wasn’t packed with double sessions or high-volume workouts. There’s not much flashy to report on the training calendar. But what I did do mattered — because it was enough. I ticked the basic boxes I could, and reminded myself (yet again) that consistency isn’t always loud or intense — it’s about showing up.
I managed two solid strength sessions, a Pilates class, a spinning session, one swim, a hike, and the weekend race. Yes, when you list it like that, it sounds like a lot — and for many people, it is.
But in the context of my usual training rhythm, it’s actually a lot lighter than normal. And that’s okay.
Training isn’t about doing everything, all the time, at 100%. It’s about doing what you can, with intention, across the long haul. Consistency doesn’t mean perfection — it means persistence.
Some weeks, you push harder. Others, you pull back. But the key is that you keep showing up. You stay in motion. You keep the routine alive. That’s what builds momentum over time — not just the big weeks, but the quiet ones too.
There’s also a certain freedom in letting go of the “ideal” training week and embracing the real one — the one that fits into your life, with all its curveballs, fatigue, work deadlines, social events, and everyday chaos. That’s where the real work happens. That’s where habits are built.
So no, this week wasn’t perfect — but it was consistent. And for me, that’s a win worth celebrating.
Here’s to the weeks that don’t get all the glory but still move you forward.
Thanks for reading and joining me for another catch-up with Coach M. Whether it’s a big week or a quiet one, I’m grateful to have you along for the journey.
See you next week — same time, same place.
Keep showing up, stay consistent, and remember: it all adds up.
Until then,
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