If you had asked me a few years ago what would make me a better runner, I would've said more miles.
The answer was always more running.
What I didn't realize was that some of the biggest improvements happen when you're not running.
For years, I skipped strength training. I'd rather run another 5 kilometers than spend 30 minutes doing squats, lunges, or core work. It felt boring. It felt unnecessary.
Then the small aches started appearing.
A sore knee.
A tight hip.
A weak ankle.
Nothing serious, but enough to remind me that something was missing.
Once I started strength training consistently, everything changed. Running felt smoother. Hills felt easier. My body stayed together longer during harder efforts. I wasn't just training my engine anymore. I was strengthening the frame that carried it.
The same thing happened with warm-ups. I used to walk out the door and immediately start running. Now I spend a few minutes doing dynamic stretches and getting my body ready to move. The run feels better from the very first kilometer.
Recovery deserves the same respect. Sleep, mobility work, easy days, and proper nutrition aren't bonuses. They're part of training.
The older I get, the more I realize that the boring things are usually the important things.
And strength training might be the most underrated tool a runner has.