The trail to success can be narrow and exposed without the right support. Building the correct network can provide innumerable benefits along any goal driven journey. In running and fitness, this couldn't be closer to the truth! Below are ways that you can increase your performance and balance the rhythm of your life while tackling a new athletic endeavor.
- Education - Over the past 6 years, I have utilized a number of coaches to increase my training knowledge, to become more efficient (time spent & running economy), and to generate new ideas. Whether it is mental or physical training, investing in a coach can be a great reality check and a breath of fresh perspective into what you are working towards. With so many "certified" coaches however, seeking out the correct coach may be the hardest part of the journey! Just because someone is an athlete, it doesn't mean they have great advice. You can apply the same logic towards an over ambitious academic with fancy certifications! To get beyond the "pony show" of evaluating certifications and plaques, I have found it helpful to answer the following questions when meeting with a new coach.
- Does he/she have specific experience working with athletes or attaining a similar goal to what you have in mind?
- What are his/her view points on the priorities that are important to you (e.g family, life balance, etc...)? Is this person a good role model for the above priorities?
- Has this person been recommended by a friend or expert within the particular field?
- Can you easily converse with this person and/or see yourself as friends outside of the coach/client relationship?
- What is your ideal communication channel? Can the coach accommodate this channel?
- Financially, does this potential coach fall within your means?
- Family - Although the definition of family varies for each person, achievements and the work that comes with each milestone should be shared with others surrounding you. Not only has my family been a good network of super-fans and aid along the way, but they have also kept me grounded and responsible for things that TRULY matter. If I am over-training, not prioritizing, or not having fun, they are the first in my network to call it out. Sometimes blunt honesty is the only thing that can snap me out of obsessive stupidity. At the end of the day, most endeavors are just adventures away from the hum of everyday life. Family may be the most powerful tool that I have within my network. By maintaining perspective and balance, it is astounding how efficient I have become in other aspects of life.
- Friends - Specific to many endurance based endeavors (insert running, cycling, climbing, etc...) focused self-induced pain is one of the only ways to reach a new level of performance. Naturally, the brain rebels or only puts up with a portion of the intensity that is needed to achieve greatness. I have found that over time, my threshold for pain has increased, however, like-minded friends can help during lulls or the days where it is tough to summon that fire. Before turning an endeavor social, keep in mind the following:
- Stick to the Plan - Just because you are meeting someone, don't throw your personally tuned workout out the window. Going too long, too fast, or too ____ undermines the entire goal of making smart, calculated progress.
- Soar with Eagles - Nobody likes the friend that always shows up to the "c" workout when they should be in the "a" group. Maybe I should translate that. Surround yourself with like or better talent. You and those along for the workout will appreciate it!
- Adjust the Frequency - As covered above, balance must remain top-of-mind when tackling endeavors outside of life's top priorities. With that being said, some people have more time than others to meet up for group based workouts. Find the frequency that best suits your schedule and stick to it! As soon as it becomes a hassle, the costs outweigh the benefits!
Over the past couple weeks, I have had a break in action post-Superior. Naturally, my training progression has been the following...recovery (lots of cycling), re-hydration (plenty of beer drinking), refocusing (back to the training plan). For the last two weeks, I have enjoyed 70-85 miles a week with two speed focused sessions and a longer Saturday run. My sights are set on Voyageur 50 mile in mid-July, followed by the Bridger Ridge Run in Bozeman, Montana (two weeks later). The latter is what I am truly excited for! I was honored to get selected through a lottery system for Bridger. This race has been featured in multiple "top 10" and "bucket list race" publications. It looks like a huge challenge for anyone, especially someone that doesn't access mountains on a daily basis. In preparation for July and August racing, I plan to use some long hill repeats and shorter local 5k - 10k races to maximize fitness.