Late Coffee and Chat

Monday, March 16, 2015 · Mike Davis

Good Afternoon, Yes it is the afternoon but rest assured I am drinking coffee while I chat with y’all. The past week took a lot of me between working last weekend and a busy day of getting around yesterday. Now I am getting ready for another busy week ahead at the Center and hopefully a good week of working out. Tomorrow is my day off from the base, but Lew and I are going to an IHeart local marketing seminar in the morning and then we have the physician assistant that sewed up my head in for a running form analysis in the early afternoon and in-between those we will start getting out the flyers for our Spring/Summer training group. Good to have a day off! A lot of people come to us with the goal of getting faster and who doesn’t want to run faster! While I have no doubt that we have the knowledge and tools to help people get faster, we approach improvement with a different strategy. Because No Finish Line Running is founded on helping an array of people, from someone wanting to begin running for the first time to an experienced runner that wants to improve their marathon time, we have evolved our training techniques to insure the greatest success for all goals. Instead of mastering various approaches or having coaches for different levels of running we have moved toward a philosophy that fits and benefits the “newbie” the same as it does the competitive marathoner. Have you ever heard of the “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”? I was fortunate many years ago to attend a week long video seminar conducted by the late author Steven Covey. I was not great at sitting still for 5 days but I would have to say that many years later I still find value in some of the “habits” that I have been able to remember. “Habit” number two has been at the core of “NFLR” which is “Begin with the end in mind.” While the “end in mind” (goal) is typically different for someone desiring to run for the first time versus a marathoner, we have been able to unify the goal into a single simple concept. “Help individuals get stronger.” If we have Katie walk in our resource center asking for us to help her learn to run or Joe stop in asking how we can get him faster than the 3:15 marathon mark, in both cases we will discuss how we can help them become stronger. Obviously we will approach each of them based on their current level of running, but our individual training will be based on helping each one of them get stronger. Our idea of stronger is all encompassing meaning that we layout opportunities to develop not only running aerobically, but mechanically, physically (strength training) and mentally. This is why having the “NFLR Coaching & Endurance Resource Center” is so valuable as it allows us to provide resources that our runners can attain all the qualities to help them become “strong runners.” Combining the resources of our Center with our personal running plans gives any runner all of the tools needed to guide them to the ultimate goal of getting stronger. For Katie our beginner she is not thinking that getting stronger is her goal but just being able to run a 5K is her ultimate goal. We approach helping individuals and groups in a way that looks beyond getting only to 3.1 miles, but instead helping them get there stronger, healthier and with greater joy. If we can teach them the benefits of being a stronger runner, we are confident that they will run healthy and running will become a lifetime activity. Focusing on just improving one’s ability to run from zero to whatever does not usually help make a permanent lifestyle change. Training someone to develop themselves in a way that is healthy, mentally strong and fun, gives the greater chance of continued growth and participation. The habits that come with becoming a stronger runner helps new runners continue on with fewer injuries, more understanding their running and a great foundation. Now Joe our marathoner is not as easy as a sell on our “stronger running” concept because he wants us to get him from 3:15 to a sub 3 hour marathon finishing time. I know Joe very well, because I was always Joe. For many years I wanted to improve my personal record (PR) at various distances and I was trying everything I read in magazines, on the internet and just running faster intervals. I had some level of success but not without paying a price. Most often runners think narrowly about improving run times with the idea that the immediate result derives exclusively from our running. While appropriate training is a factor taking a broader approach to training will offer a greater opportunity of becoming a “stronger runner.” There is value in increasing mileage, running longer intervals or running harder, but there is also greater risk of injury or even getting slower. By thinking broader (stronger), we help runners improve in multiple ways that promote healthier running and often cut significant time off their races. Such things as functional strength training, Pilates’, specific training plans, running mechanics and smart running, all contribute toward “strong running” and ultimately the best way to sustain improved running. Sometimes Joe(s) walks away because they want guarantees that we can get them to a certain time, but when they do work with us, they find the training is exactly what they need. So as you move into the run season think with “the end in mind” and then think about how to get the most out of your running. Being a strong runner will help you run healthier and with a great joy. Get yourself thinking how to get there and then start! Hope you enjoyed some insight into what I think makes NFLR different. Our NFLR Coaching & Endurance Resource Center was founded to help runners get “stronger.” I hope you come check us out if you have not or find a similar resource that will benefit you. Have a great week and get moving! God Bless! Mike