Good morning!
I would like to introduce you to Chloe, one of our individual running clients. Or as I rather say, a great member of the NFLR family.
Chloe is a bit younger than the average for the running demographic (woman 32 to 40), but besides her youth, she has every attribute of a runner. Challenging career, busy lifestyle and enjoys the outdoors. Chloe came to us back in the spring having committed to running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. With some previous 26.2 experiences, she expressed a desire to run a more enjoyable race and be a stronger runner.
Right about the time Chloe came to us, I had just finished my first iteration of a program that I had been working on for over a year. My goal has always been to combine a science-based programing with individual factors, that would result in a personalized science-based training plan. Most training plans are built one of two ways. The first using traditional coaching philosophies, despite research showing these traditional methods not supported by science. and most recently we have formula-based training plans, however these plans incorporate only an individual’s data, without important personal considerations. As I said, my goal was to push away from non-proven traditional methods and create a science-based system that also incorporated the individuality of each runner. Having this tool, I was eager to use it on Chloe!
A second major change to our training philosophy also took place about this same time. For the past few years I have been researching heart rate training and after some initial misgivings, I became increasingly more of a believer. After my initial consultation with Chloe, I believed she was the perfect candidate to utilize both our new training development module and utilize heart rate training.
I discussed heart rate training with Chloe and though she did not have any previous experience training with it, she was willing. Being totally honest, I was more than a bit fearful, having a runner put their trust in us is huge and using a new training method on someone other than myself is always worrisome. While I was a bit nervous, I also believed in my understanding, so there was enough confidence to stay the course.
The final piece to Chloe’s training puzzle was incorporating my ever-evolving stability & mobility training. Since focusing on exercise and science the past two years, and becoming a certified personal trainer, NFLR has taken the importance of strength and mobility to a much higher level. I gave Chloe a challenging stability (strength) & mobility plan that would help her be overall more functionally strong and mobile.
Next Sunday I will detail Chloe’s actual training and share her results at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Come on back and get the details…
God Bless and have a great week!
Mike
