Not So Great Results Can Be Beneficial

Sunday, December 15, 2019 · Mike Davis

Good morning…

Grab your coffee and pull up chair.

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This past week I went over to Manchester to meet with NFLF’s longest standing client. I have chatted about Chloe on multiple occasions, as she progressed with her training. Most recently Chloe trained for and ran the Richmond (Virginia) Marathon. Unfortunately, her marathon did not go as either of us would have liked. A substantial headwind persisted for a good part of the race and it affected her both physically and mentally. Trying to maintain her zone 3 heart rate while running into the wind was not only tremendously challenging, but exhausting. Short of speed walking, the effort of running into the wind will elevate your heart rate and the challenge to stay out of zone 4 becomes nearly impossible. Our strategy was for Chloe to move from zone 3 into zone 4 at mile 17, with both of us confident she could run final 10 miles in zone 4. Any sooner would make for a miserable marathon and unfortunately, this proved to be the case. Battling the wind in the middle miles, pushed her effort and heart rate in and out of zone 4.

While Chloe’s marathon did not go as planned, much good came from it.

Over a month ago Eliud Kipchoge became the first person to break the 2-hour time for 26.2 miles. You will not find his time of 1:59:40 atop of any marathon results, or in any marathon record book. While getting below 2-hours was a great accomplishment, it was done in an artificial setting. Running on a course clean as most kitchen floors, with multiple pacers, and perfect weather conditions, provided this great runner with the optimal circumstances to do what no one has ever done.

My gal Chloe did not enjoy a course remotely like the one Eliud benefited from. Instead, she dealt with numerous runners, headwinds, and much less favorable conditions. When we discussed all the challenges, we both agreed fighting through and crossing the finish line was a great feat itself.

Most runners will (happily) share their crazy race stories and most of them do not result in a personal record (PR), but instead a great satisfaction of overcoming. Chloe battled through and finished, but just as important, she gained some valuable experience. No one wants to run in headwinds strong enough to push us the wrong way, but we do not have the luxury of choregraphing race day conditions. However, the experience will be of great value to Chloe as she continues on with her training. Chloe may hope she never faces similar conditions, but she will be a better runner for her experience at Richmond.

Chloe is all in to continue with working with NFLF and we both are excited for what we learned both in her training and at the marathon. We discussed specific goals for the next 12 months and it is helpful to have nearly 3 years of working together, for which to learn from. Chloe is a very good runner, but she has her best running is ahead. Races like Richmond are all a part of the learning process. I could not be prouder of Chloe and it is an honor to work with her.

Thanks for hanging it out with me this morning. Have a great Sunday and keep Christ in Christmas!

God Bless!

Mike

PS: For a quick exercise program during this holiday season check out NFLF's Twelve Days of Fitmas.

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