Balancing Serious Training with Staying Connected
It all begins with an idea.
Miles That Matter: How Family Can Be the Strongest Training Partner of All
At The Rogue Coach, we believe training is about far more than chasing PRs or stacking race medals. Training is about building a life, one where health, joy, and connection are at the core. Some of the most powerful moments we see from our athletes aren’t just about their splits or podium finishes, but about who they share the miles with.
That’s why Heather’s story caught our attention. Heather is training for the Chicago Marathon, a major goal that requires discipline, structure, and dedication. But along the way, she’s been reminded that the main thing is not always the race itself: it’s the connection you make while training for it.
Here’s her story in her own words:
From Heather Waugh:
“On July 19, my niece and I crossed the finish line of our 17th 5K run together—and she’s not even four years old yet. What began as a fun way to spend time together has become one of the greatest joys in my life. Each race is more than just a run; it’s an adventure filled with singing, tiny high-fives, and her signature post-run snack demands. She reminds me, every single time, why I fell in love with running in the first place—not for the personal records, but for the sheer joy of moving, being present in the moment, and creating memories that outlast the miles.
Don’t let her age fool you, though—she is hands down the toughest coach I’ve ever had. The moment I start to slow down and walk up a hill, I hear her voice from the stroller, firm and full of determination: “Heather, run! Come on, run!” There’s no room for excuses when she’s cheering (or rather, commanding) from inside the stroller. Somehow, her little voice carries more power than any race-day crowd, pushing me to dig deeper and keep going when my legs are begging to stop.
These miles we share are more than exercise—they are a gift. Every race, every uphill push, every shared laugh at the finish line becomes another memory I’ll carry for the rest of my life. One day she’ll be running beside me instead of riding along, but until then, I’ll treasure these moments where her singing mixes with the sound of my footsteps.”
Balancing Serious Training with Staying Connected
Heather’s training for the Chicago Marathon is no small feat. It requires structure, discipline, and plenty of solo miles to prepare for 26.2. But her story is a reminder that even when the stakes are high, the heart of the run matters just as much as the training plan.
Here are a few ways to keep connection front and center while pursuing big goals:
Mix “goal miles” with “memory miles.”
Not every run needs to serve your training plan to the letter. Schedule runs with family or friends, even if they’re slower or shorter than your typical workout. They fill your mental tank in ways that tempo runs can’t.Invite family into your training.
Let your kids ride their bikes beside you, push a stroller, or have a loved one join you for warm-up miles. Connection counts as training for the soul.Anchor yourself to your “why.”
When race prep gets intense, remember what inspired you to start running in the first place. For Heather, it’s her niece’s laughter and tiny cheers. For you, it might be health, freedom, or setting an example.Protect key workouts, but keep perspective.
Long runs, speed work, and recovery days still matter for race readiness. The key is to protect them while not letting them overshadow relationships. Missed workouts are recoverable. Missed moments sometimes aren’t.Celebrate connection as much as performance.
Post about the people you share the journey with, not just your paces or medals. These stories inspire far beyond the finish line.
Rogue takeaway: PRs fade. Splits get forgotten. But the miles we share with the people we love? Those are the ones that stay with us forever.
Keep the main thing the main thing: connection and the results will take care of themselves.
Blog Post Title Two
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.