2319: Volume in Time

Happy Good Friday,

I recently read an article about mitochondrial density and its role in aerobic exercise. I’m still piecing everything together, but the main idea stood out clearly: the number and size of mitochondria in your cells can actually increase, and that directly improves your endurance.

There are two primary ways this happens. The first is by increasing the overall volume of aerobic work. That doesn’t necessarily mean running more miles in a single day, but rather increasing how often you show up throughout the week. More consistent days, more accumulated effort, more adaptation. The second way is through higher-intensity training. Think tempo runs or workouts that push you right to the edge. Those sessions force your mitochondria to become more efficient with oxygen and, over time, stimulate the creation of more of them.

I bring this up for two reasons. The first is personal. I’ve started to truly understand running and what goes into preparing for races like the half marathon. I want this to be something I carry with me for life. After two half marathons, two 5Ks, and heading into my third 10K this weekend at the Crescent City Classic, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. There’s so much more to explore.

Along the way, I had to check myself. I was getting too focused on just becoming faster, and that’s a quick path to burnout. A conversation with a friend reminded me of something simple but powerful: the foundation of both endurance and speed is volume. Some runs will be fast, some will be slow, but what matters most is showing up consistently and putting in the miles.

That idea stretches far beyond running.

Volume is really just another word for time. The more time you invest in something, the more you grow in it. Whether it’s your career, strength training, learning how to cook, or building relationships, progress comes from repeated effort. It compounds quietly. Day by day, rep by rep, conversation by conversation.

Eventually, that time turns into something tangible. A promotion. A personal record. A deeper connection.

Experience is what carries you forward.

Peace,

Zechariah Davis

🎵 Song of the Week

Little Rain - Morgan Wallen

🗣 Quote of the Week

"A good life is one in which things do not go perfectly, but you find a way to have a good day regardless." - James Clear

📖 Scripture of the Week

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