The 3 Mile Run.

The Obsession | Edition - 033

The 3-mile run is the best type of workout.

Let me explain.

One hour. That's all it takes. If you run at a 10-minute pace, the run itself is 30 minutes. That leaves 15 minutes on the front end to change and get ready, and another 15 on the back end to shower and get on with your day.

One hour. That's it.

This is elite efficiency when life gets in the way of your ideal routine. A busy day at work, a vacation with your wife or the boys, sometimes you just don't have the time to get to a gym or take a long workout. The 3-mile run is here to save you. You get a killer sweat, great movement, and you probably still did more than the average person.

Out and back. Even if you had a gym in your house or were willing to do bodyweight work, it is not the same as a run.

When you do an out-and-back run or a loop, within 15 minutes you are committed to finishing. There is only one way home and it's to keep running.

That's built-in motivation. No cutting it short, no leaving a set early, no talking yourself out of the last 10 minutes like you could in a stationary workout setting. You're out there. The only option is to finish.

I'm assuming you're running outside. And in my opinion, you should pretty much always run outside.

Done anywhere. You might be traveling or slammed with work. But as long as you're not in the middle of the ocean, you can probably run a mile and a half out and the same back. Running clothes take up almost no space in a bag and no equipment is required.

Minimal excuses.

I hope I've encouraged you to run 3 miles today!

What is your favorite workout?

The Weekly 3

1) Am I skipping workouts because I don't have time, or because I'm overcomplicating what a workout needs to be?

2) You don't need a gym, equipment, or a perfect routine. You need one hour and a pair of running shoes.

3) Run 3 miles this week. No plan and no overthinking it. Just lace up, go out a mile and a half, and come back. That's it.