Ordinary athletes with
extraordinary goals.
The Ordinary Athlete
An endurance blog for everyday athletes
Welcome to The Ordinary Athlete — a no-BS endurance blog for everyday runners, triathletes, and goal-chasers. Whether you’re training for your first 10K, your next Ironman, or just trying to fuel better, you’ll find practical tips, honest stories, and useful tools to help you go farther, faster and stronger.
Recent Posts
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What Is a Tempo Run? (And Why Runners Should Do Them)
If you’ve ever heard runners talk about “threshold training,” “lactate threshold pace,” or a “comfortably uncomfortable effort,” they’re talking about tempo running. Tempo runs are one of the most effective workouts for building speed and endurance — but what exactly is a tempo run, and why does it matter so much for getting faster? Here’s…
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Carb Loading for Triathlon: How to Fuel Properly Before Race Day
Carb loading is one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost your performance on race day — yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood. For triathletes, proper carb loading can mean the difference between feeling strong through the final miles or hitting the wall halfway through the run. The goal isn’t to…
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Should You Run With Sore Legs? Here’s How to Tell When It’s OK
At some point every runner will wake up with stiff, heavy, or achy legs and a run on the schedule. Sometimes heading out for an easy jog helps loosen things up. Other times, running through soreness is the quickest way to turn a small niggle into something that sidelines you for weeks. So, should you…
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Should You Run the Day Before a Race?
You’ve trained for months, nailed your taper, and race day is almost here. You want to show up feeling fresh — but you’re also itching to move your body. So the big question is: should you run the day before a race? Every runner has heard mixed advice. Some swear by a full rest day,…
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Why Consistency in Training Matters (and How to Build It)
Ask most athletes what they’re doing to improve, and you’ll hear about new workouts, fancy gadgets, or training volume. But the real secret to long-term progress? Consistency in training. Whether you’re preparing for a marathon, Ironman, or your first 10K, consistency is what turns potential into performance. It’s the single biggest factor that drives fitness…
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5 Lessons from an Adult Onset Swimmer
A year ago, I couldn’t swim half a length of the pool without feeling like I was drowning. I’d taken swim lessons as a kid, so I knew how to not die in the water — but I hadn’t attempted freestyle in almost 30 years. On the rare occasion I did swim, it was just…
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About Me
Hi, I’m Chanelle — an amateur triathlete, avid runner, and lover of all things endurance.
I created The Ordinary Athlete to share real-life tips, training stories, and fuelling advice from someone who’s in it for the journey, not just the podium.