This wise statement was provided by the successful American long-distance runner Don Kardong, who shared his knowledge of training. Kardong, a famous marathon runner who was born in 1948, was the first American to finish the New York City Marathon and won the Boston Marathon.

Think of your body as a garden that requires constant attention. Daily training can get monotonous, but it's necessary for growth, much like watering plants every day may seem routine. Kardong advises varying this routine, though, by pushing yourself more or faster than normal on occasion. This method is similar to adding different kinds of fertilizer and new seeds to your garden. Similar to how a variety of plants can flourish when given the proper care at the appropriate time, it tests your body's ability to adjust to new circumstances.

Athletes frequently expose their bodies to stressors they aren't accustomed to handling by introducing "speedwork" into their regular training regimens. In order to improve and perform at their best in endurance sports like marathon running, this practice pushes the body and mind beyond their comfort zones.

Kardong's philosophy places a strong emphasis on the value of actively pushing oneself to the limit and developing new skills through deliberate training variations. If athletes follow Kardong's advice, their fitness levels and race performances should improve over time, much like a creative and well-maintained garden.