Are you having fun?

Monday, January 07, 2013 · Mike Davis

Is running still fun for you? Maybe it’s never has been. If it’s not fun anymore or never was, it’s time to consider what’s going on? Is it now just a way to stay in shape, hookup with friends or has it just turned into something you do. I can relate to all of that as it happens from time to time with me, but my belief is that running should and can be fun and empowering. Back in November I got an email from a prospective client (Ashley), who’s running history was quite successful; qualifying and running Boston multiple times with a personal best of 3:26. However her struggles to surpass this time as well as some nagging injuries led her to contact me. My first step was to ask her to give me a typical month of training for her. After analyzing what she provided me, I pretty much confirmed what I assumed would be the case. Run, run more and run fast! I spent the first part of her consultation telling her that she was out of control and her recent results were the symptoms. As most competitive runners would be; she was a bit taken aback. But as I explained a different approach that would in fact help her running, she warmed up to the idea. The concept of slowing her down considerably, focus on strength training and totally ignore any speed work was pretty much the total opposite of what had helped her become successful. One of my strength’s is the ability to sell my philosophy, so by the end of the consultation I had a new client! As I designed her personal running plan I was well aware of the challenges that would mostly be mental for Ashley. Reeling in the daily distance runs at pace I would consider faster than conversational would be a definite paradigm switch. Because I require weekly updates I was able to observe the challenges Ashley struggled with those first few run. Much to my surprise by week 2 she settled in to the training plan that I created and was able to convince her running partners to adapt as well. With each passing week her enthusiasm for running increased and totally embraced my training plan for her. Some of the injuries that she had struggled with also subsided as well and that added to her enthusiasm as well. Two months later Ashley wrote this on one of her weekly updates: “I'm really looking forward to 2013 and working with you as well! In the past two months, I've already noticed a difference mentally in the way I approach running and the enjoyment that it's brought back into my life. Physically, I feel like I get stronger by the day and I look forward to the improvements strength will have on my running. I'm so optimistic and excited about all the work we have a head of us! :)” I also cut and pasted this to the front page at NFLR as it totally sums up my goal for every runner I work with no matter their goal. My belief in the value of enjoyment is paramount to the overall success of every last person I train. When I sit down to design a personal training plan, I take hours and sometimes days considering the individuals goals, life style and challenges. Ultimately I come up with a plan that builds a foundation of confidence. Normally that confidence is a prelude to fun and ultimately success. So back to my first question; is running fun for you? If it’s not maybe it’s time to evaluate where you’re at and how you are training. It also didn’t take long for Ashley to realize that she had not been having fun, but in fact was just putting in the miles. The above quote by Ashley gives us a solid foundation from which to start from and as we progress she will be better prepared both physically and mentally. I took on a new client last week and after her first week she said this about the circuit training plan I designed for her: “It was fun but hard!” Now that’s a positive start! This person has been trying to do it on her own for some time, so placing her trust in me is huge and a big responsibility. People often believe they can train on their own and some can, but I believe I can change the dynamics of people’s training and in the end they are not only successful, but happier. What a great combination; successful and happy! I totally believe sustained success is the result of enjoyment and fulfillment. I hope you are finding both in your workouts or run. Go have fun!