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"I'm too slow..."
It's 5:30am - the alarm has just gone off. "Mary" quickly realizes yesterday's snow will be packed on the roads and trails resulting in slick conditions. As she musters the will power to get out of bed the reality of today's run begins to dawn on her. It is going to be slow... probably too slow to result in any meaningful training, right? So what's the point?! Are these cold and dark January runs really worth the time and effort? Perhaps you can relate to "Mary's" struggle by inserting a client of your own...or perhaps you're able to see yourself in this scenario. Undoubtedly you have been asked how 'slow' running will ever result in productive training? After all, if you want to run fast you've got to run fast, specificity of training and all that... That means these slow runs are likely making you slower! And if you are getting slower the chance of nabbing that elusive BQ (Boston Qualifier) becomes less likely! To appreciate "Mary's" mental and emotional struggle we have to acknowledge a few foundational assumptions about her training and goals.
Recognizing these influencing factors to "Mary's" training is crucial to helping answer questions, redirecting nervous energy, encouraging further reflective analysis, and reinforcing helpful training skills. Ultimately, in order to answer "Mary's" question, "Is my 'slow' run too slow for productive training" all of these domains must be recognized and leveraged. Case Application Before answering "Mary's" question, let's begin by examining a few professional and age-group athletes as it relates to training and racing paces. Using others who have accomplished a BQ (or other admirable performances) provides an excellent "case study" in structure, planning, and realistic attainment. Bart Aernouts clocked a 2:45:42 at the 2018 IM World Championships, good for a 6:12 p/mile pace across the 26.2 miles (following a 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike). In relation, Bart's easy, aerobic pace (i.e. 'slow running') will vacillate between a 6:54 to 8:03 p/mile pace on average, a difference of 0:42 to 1:51 p/mile pace. It is important to note that Bart's marathon came at the end of a grueling 6+ hrs. of racing rather than a stand alone effort. In contrast, Molly Seidel executed a superb stand alone marathon effort at the 2020 Toyoko Olympic Games, running 2:27:46 (5:38 p/mile pace) to capture the bronze medal after only starting to pursue the marathon distance 18 months earlier. As is easily tracked on her Strava account, Molly regularly runs 8:03-8:43 p/mile pace for her easier aerobic, warm up and cool down efforts, a difference of 2:25-3:05 p/mile pace off her PR race pace. While both Molly and Bart are professional athletes, age group athletes demonstrate a similar phenomenon. KB (client working with the author) recently completed the 2022 Chicago Marathon in a new PR of 2:53:23 (6:32 p/mile pace) qualifying for Boston and setting a new mark on a course previously run >10 times. KB's aerobic training pace averages 8:32 to 9:03 p/mile pace, a difference of 2:00-2:31 p/mile slower than their Chicago race pace. Utilizing these three case studies of professional and age-group athletes gives us a bit of an 'applied' perspective as to what Steven Seiler is discussing in his 80/20 model when he advocates that ~80% of training should be completed at or below your first ventilatory threshold (VT1 - i.e. anaerobic capacity) and ~20% close to or even above your second ventilatory threshold (VT2 - i.e. aerobic capacity). In short, by keeping your easy days easy and your hard days hard runners are better able to distribute the load and stress in a manner that fosters recovery and tissue adaptation. Too little intensity results in capacity plateau while too much intensity often results in injury and lost training consistency. Wrapping Up Returning to "Mary's" question (i.e."Is my 'slow' running too slow...") in light of these case studies should provide a bit more context and support a "No, your running is not too slow..." answer. However, "Mary's" question and sentiment is not uncommon despite significant evidence that supports a model of slower training. All too often, newer (and seasoned) runners are focused too often on steps W, X, and Y in their pursuit of Z (e.g. Z = BQ). The result is leaving behind proper execution of steps A, B, C, D and many more (e.g. A = consistency, B = recovery, C = strength and mobility training, D = proper fueling). It is easy to allow an ultimate goal of BQ to lead our daily training confidence astray, allowing our nervous energy to sway our decision making and undermine the training processes. Despite "Mary's" established habits (e.g. setting the alarm clock, clearly defining her goals) it remains easy to fall victim to doubt and disbelief. Even with a well-written training program and intentional daily habits belief in and by the runner may ebb and flow throughout the training cycle. Partnering with a coach or trusted mentor often provides the necessary catalyst for productive training by redirecting negative thought viruses, reinforcing effective training methods, and providing a steady and guiding hand to an otherwise tumultuous process. However, note the "often provides" as opposed to "always provides". While easy to dismiss, this is a crucial 'piece to the puzzle'. Not every runner who sets a goal of BQ or other lofty achievement will succeed. Ultimately, self-doubt and a negative narrative (e.g. the story told by the runner to themselves) is often more powerful and convincing. Actions shape your story! If you want to accomplish a BQ (i.e. a big, scary, audacious goal) you are going to face adversity and self-doubt. How you face it, and the story you tell yourself in the face of this adversity, will directly impact your eventual success (or failure). The story that wins is the one you rehearse. Productive training, like the marathon training noted above, is often not perfect nor is it an exact science. Rather, it is the application of scientific principles combined with a recognition of the messy and challenging, rewarding and beautiful lives of countless athletes pursuing big, scary, and audacious goals. After all, if it doesn't make you ask, "Can I do this?" have you really challenged yourself enough for growth to occur? Wishing you health, wellness, and the ability to endure within your training!
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Lately, many of my conversations with clients have centered around the theme of planning and preparing for 2023. The natural ebb and flow of training allows a bit of a natural rest period towards the end of the year, providing an opportunity to consider what goals will serve as a springboard to achieve outcomes in the weeks, months, and year to come. Much of the conversations have been encouraging a consideration of “process” goals vs. “outcome” goals. At first glance, you might think this is an exercise in semantics. However, it is more of an ‘order of operations’ concept. It is darn near impossible to accomplish an ambitious goal (e.g. BQ, world-champs qualifications…) without having rightly examined the necessary steps for achievement. If you don’t spend time laying a proper foundation of consistency, adaptability, and recovery you’re unlikely to achieve the desired outcome. After all, good BBQ isn't made in the microwave... there is no hack or 'short cut' process. It takes intention, planning and patience! And while a one-size-fits-all approach is rarely the solution…addition by subtraction is a great place to start. How so? Do less! Or as Kipchoge would say, ensure you are taking a daily dose of Vitamin N (i.e. the ability to say “no” more often). The result of goal setting is the ability to establish what your highest priorities are, and in doing so… you’ve also identified what is less of a priority (addition by substraction), enabling you to unapologetically say “no” to lower priorities. “The enemy of the best is often the good.” (Steven Covey) As you look to 2023 consider what processes are in need of development and refinement, and if possible, partner with like-minded individuals who can help you achieve your goals. Having a sense of community is often a strong buffer to burnout and fatigue.  If you are like most individuals, the end of 2021 and the start of a New Year often results in intentional or unintentional periods of reflection. Maybe you’ve thought of making a resolution or goal for 2022 that is meant to address a pitfall or area that is lacking in your personal or professional life. If you’ve engaged in some form of resolution-thought for 2022 you’re not alone. In fact, yearly estimates indicate that 150-188 million American adults make resolutions at the start of each New Year. However, how many are successful, accomplishing their resolution or achieving their goal? While studies and surveys vary, a central theme is that very few adhere to their resolutions, with less than 25% committed beyond January and fewer than 8% accomplishing their intended goal by year’s end. Ultimately, from Friday (12/31/21) to Saturday (1/1/22) not much has changed. The date on a calendar is unable to control your behavior, mindset, or habits. Only YOU can do that! As our society embarks on the beginning of 2022, we all are provided an opportunity to either begin or continue a process of introspection and analysis. Before you sign up for a gym membership, register for another race, buy another pair of running shoes you likely ‘want’ more than you ‘need,’ consider unachievable resolutions (e.g. “I will achieve >8 hrs. of sleep every night”), or even swear off the post-workout burgers and beer… ask yourself 3 questions: 1) What goals do I have for 2022? Write down as many as you can think of – seriously, grab a piece of paper (or two or three), a pen and start writing. Maybe you’re excelling in some areas but find yourself struggling in others. Write down as many goals and thoughts as possible. Now…prioritize your top 3. Be incredibly discerning. For 2022 focus on only these 3 goals! You don’t need more goals – you need less. Be relentless in pursuing your goals. Do less but do it incredibly well. “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically, to say “no” to other things. And the way you do that is but having a bigger “yes” burning inside. The enemy of the “best” is often the “good.” – S. Covey 2) Who can I partner with to achieve my goals? If you want to go far, laying the groundwork for consistency and longevity is crucial. Partner with those who share your mindset and will help to foster your success. This involves conversations that are honest and open… but it is crucial that you first understand what your prioritized goals are. One quick note – while family and friends may be able to partner with you consider the return on investment and their likelihood of communicating honestly and openly with you throughout the year. “A coach is someone who tells you what you don’t want to hear, who ash you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.” – T. Landry 3) Finally, why am I doing this and what’s my purpose? Think of this as your personal mission statement… your core value(s). If you don’t stop to consider your internal motivation, you’re likely to compromise your conviction and confidence within the process. “When self-esteem is hinged on performance outcomes, people struggle to maintain a façade. They pressure themselves to appear a certain way to others so they will feel good about themselves. This, of course, detracts from interest and enthusiasm. Indeed, it bolsters a false self while continuing to undermine development of true self.” – E. Deci, 1996  Making the time to outline and honestly answer these questions begins to align your priorities in a way that enhances balance and increases your probability of success through small, intentional changes.
Undoubtedly this process will take time to accomplish, and you will be required to sacrifice your ‘wants’ to achieve your ‘needs’. It will require you to show up, to struggle, to fail, and to try again. And in the process, you may just learn that ‘success’ often requires you to go the other way round. The greatest threat to your potential success in 2022 is not potential failure, but rather the resulting paralysis that limits your ability to learn and grow. When 11:59pm on 12/31/21 becomes 12:00am on 1/1/22 very little will have changed. Behavior, mindset, and habit change takes time. If it could be done quickly undoubtedly more people would do it with success. In contrast, the expanse of time from 12/31/21 to 12/31/22 provides ample opportunity. What will you do with your time?
Here’s a fun perspective check that I was reminded of over the weekend while chatting with Chris Johnson (@chrisjohnsonthept), my mate and business partner. See how you do.
Did you score 100%, able to recall each of these individuals and their accomplishments? Okay, fair enough… that’s a hard ask. How about these next few questions?
A bit easier, right? As aspiring as wealthy, affluential, best-in-the-world individuals and athletes are their accomplishments and headlines are fleeting. By every measure of success it is easy to say “wow, they’ve made it.” But have they? I don’t know about you, but I have profound respect for and am in awe of those who have fostered life-long friendships vs. accumulated 10k+ followers on social media… …or have relationships and marriages that have withstood multiple ups and downs… …and have families with whom they love to spend time with and who love spending time with them in return… …who give back to their communities and neighbors through intentional, and often selfless, acts of kindness… …or have continued to swim, bike, run, lift, and improve their overall health and wellness in spite of a 1.5+ yr global pandemic and canceled races… and the list goes on. The pursuit of excellence in business, athletics, the arts or any other sector of life is noble and good. But the most influential people in my life are the ones who care the most about the well-being of me, my family, and those in their community. They don’t always make the most money, have the most fame, accumulate the most followers, go top 3 AG every race, or achieve the greatest accolades. But from my point of view they are the most successful people I know. (Ref. lectures by Terry Small, “The Brain Guy")  On a recent early morning run, surrounded by fog and cooler temps, I found myself thinking about the changes that have occurred personally and professionally over the past several years. Enter “REFLECTION”. Aside from being a buzz word in most professional education programs, Mark Twain perhaps identifies it most simplistically - “Reflection is the beginning of reform.” It is not a ‘one and done’ process, but rather an intentional and continual process of evaluating actions and outcomes to better understand future experiences. As John Dewey noted in 1938… “To reflect is to look back over what has been done so as to extract the net meanings which are the capital stock for intelligent dealing with further experiences.” What then has reflection got to do with coaching and how has ‘extracting meaning’ from past experiences impacted my coaching present day? In short, I’ve realized that successful athletic development and attainment of long-term success boils down to 5 pillars.
These ‘pillars of coaching’ provide a structured approach to athlete interaction, development, and training execution, complimenting and reinforcing as opposed to superseding or taking precedent one over another. Finally, the coach must also transition away from the role of “operator” and towards one of “educator”. Make no mistake about it – 2020 has challenged the conventional norms of coaching. Races have been canceled; in many places, gyms remain closed; social distancing is straining our idea of ‘community’. We are collectively being forced to reflect and adapt.
The coaches and athletes who are taking actionable steps right now to answer these questions and position themselves for success over the next year (and more importantly the next 5-10 years) are those who will be primed for personal and professional achievement moving forward. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season and a calm mind amidst the ever-evolving COVID climate.  If you’re interested in learning how these pillars impact the interactive process of coaching join Chris Johnson (@zerenpt) and me on Dec. 5th for a master class on “Mastering the Master Runner”.
We had initially opened the course to 50 seats, but after that sold out in less than a week, we decided to open an additional 10 seats. Given the initial overwhelming interest we know these last few spots are going to go quickly. We would love to have you join us! Sign up here. Chris and I are excited to see you on December 5th as we unpack the injury to performance spectrum of the master runner. |
