A huge challenge!

Sunday, July 15, 2012 · Mike Davis

This week was certainly a test of my mental strength and physical shape. The mental was there, but I still have some conditioning to do. That’s okay though, I am excited about the challenges that I have put in front of me. Being a personal trainer is a great experience and it enables me to help people challenge themselves much the way I challenge myself. Nothing that comes easy is really a challenge and when someone decides they need a running coach or a personal trainer, they hopefully want to work hard and overcome what many never dare to start. No finish line running is mostly about running, but also about helping people find balance in their physical conditioning. Running is an awesome experience, but it’s made up of four components; one develops the legs, two strengthen the heart, three build a good core and finally; strengthen the muscle between the ears! All four components are equally valuable but the fourth may be the most important as it’s usually the one that holds you back.

Last night a friend told me she wants my help and I want to help her despite the fear that I may not be able to help her. She has battled injuries ever since I’ve none her and yet she hasn’t given up the desire to run. I admire her greatly and now I am going to build her from the ground floor up. I will share her name as she will probably be okay with it. Jaime is a wonderful career woman that is full of life and desperately wants running to be a big part of her life, but more importantly; healthy running. She has worked with many physical therapist, running people and doctors yet nothing has seemed to be successful. What magic can I offer? Know magic for sure, but I believe in balance and to me balance means strength from the head to the toes.

Initially I have a strength training plan for Jaime that will focus on her hips, quads and core. No running for roughly 10 days as I want to bring strength and balance to her body before addressing the running part. I don’t want a muscle bound gal that is ready to compete in a cross fit gym, but more someone that can keep the knees going north and south when she gets tired. Coaching runners I see all sorts of different running gates, but what I see a lot of is runners that start to change form as they get tired and that’s when bad things start to happen. I use the term north and south which means your knees should not start to cave in or fly out, but instead stay in line with your toes. Usually the slightest change from north and south means your hips are failing or that your lack of core strength is starting to show itself.

So Jaime is going to build that core and her hip strength and then she’s going to ease into running with patients and control. Her fear is that Reach the Beach is coming quickly and this easing is going to keep her from being ready to run her legs. Ideally I would like more time but I will not sacrifice the process, but I know it’s a factor. She says she will follow instruction and I really hope so as I have people that I have coached who really deviate from my instruction despite my explaining the importance of staying with a plan.

Can I help Jaime? I believe I can help anyone that has the desire and willingness, but that’s me the positive thinking person that I am. I do know that Jaime has tried everything and nothing has helped much to this point, so I will approach it from a different angle. I plan to put a lot of energy and time into Jaime, but I’m excited at the opportunity. Stay tuned for the updates!

I’m back on the road (again) this next week, but I will hopefully stay on course with my workouts and runs as well as my regular ramblings. There will be no Monday night training sessions this Monday, but they will be back the following. Have a great week!

mike