Consistency vs. Routine

Running consistently is a good thing, right? 

It helps you prepare for a race and gives you the deep satisfaction of knowing you’re someone who honors their commitments.

Yet many runners struggle with it. They feel they aren’t consistent enough, and no matter how hard they try, they just can’t seem to fix it.

They try forcing themselves to follow a routine, only to fall short again and again. The result? A tidal wave of frustration and self-blame.

They start wondering, “If I can’t even run consistently, how am I going to finish a big race??”

The reality is - the problem often isn’t consistency. It’s a simple misunderstanding of what consistency means.

Take one of my clients as an example. For a long time, she had a regular, predictable schedule that allowed her to run at the same time every day, and she thrived on it. But life changed and so did her schedule. It became what she calls “chaotic.”

Now, every day looks different - not just Mondays compared to Saturdays, but this Monday compared to next Monday. With no reliable routine, she felt like she was failing at the consistency she used to be so good at.

But she wasn’t failing. She was excelling.

Even with an unpredictable schedule, she consistently finds ways to fit in her runs. She might have to run at different times each day or choose roads instead of trails when pressed for time, but by the end of the week, her mileage is there.

What frustrated her wasn’t the running—it was the lack of routine.

She equated consistency with a fixed schedule. But in reality, consistency doesn’t necessarily mean doing the same thing at the same time every day. It means showing up, however and whenever you can.

Like my client, you might be confusing consistency with routine. And like her, you might be running far more consistently than you realize.

The key is to separate your running consistency from your daily routine. Here are three steps to do it:

1. Define consistency for yourself

What does “consistent” mean to you?

• Running at the same time each day

• Hitting the mileage you planned, regardless of when or how

• Maintaining the quality of your runs—pace, terrain, or effort

Clarifying this shifts your focus from when you run to what you accomplish.

2. Decide how you’ll be consistent

Figure out how to make it work with your life. How far ahead - a day or a week - and what runs - maybe just your long run - can you plan firmly in advance?

Even minimal planning can give you enough structure to feel more consistent. 

3. Measure consistency in a meaningful way

Choose a metric that reflects the aspect of consistency that matters to you, such as daily mileage, weekly mileage totals, or the number of days you ran. 

Tracking success your way helps you recognize and appreciate it.

The result

Defining consistency for yourself lets you stop fighting your schedule and start working with it. Having a chaotic schedule doesn’t no longer has to be a problem.

And you finally see that getting the miles in despite an unpredictable life isn’t a weakness - it proves you’re determined, creative at solving problems, and able to adapt to reach a goal - all critical strengths you need to race at your best.

Remember, it’s not the routine that makes you ready to race - it’s getting the miles in, no matter how or when you get them done.