Tough love with a runner!

Saturday, December 22, 2012 · Mike Davis

I met with a prospective client recently and one of my questions was: What are your goals for 2013? He listed off a half marathon, a 20 mile race, completing his first marathon and possibly a second marathon in the fall. A little background on my prospective client: In the past 12 months he lost 70 something pounds through strength training, change of diet and running. Most recently he had just completed his first half marathon. Amazingly motivated at age 41 he was able to get off of some medications he was using to control health concerns. Truly a great story and he’s not ready to stop, in fact he is determined to conquer the running world! What a great story. I am thrilled to be asked to play a role in the next stage of Daryle’s journey but I had some concerns with Daryle’s goals. Daryle is 41 and continues to get into tremendous shape, he was part of a half marathon training group I recently coached and he excelled every step of the way. The questions I had for him were the ones that usually push business away from me, yet they need to be considered. Over the course of the half marathon training Daryle recently completed, he found that running was his passion. As a coach I am thrilled when a pupil grasps the joy of running and takes to it the way Daryle has. One of the questions I always have and definitely in this case was how would he balance a demanding training plan for a marathon in with the investment of his Cross Fit gym? My goal is not to take business away from such places as Cross Fit, but our time and bodies in most cases can’t fully commit to both. A marathon training plan is demanding and can easily be compared to having a “part-time job”. That’s just the time element; you also have to consider the stress on your body that comes with many miles and various challenging workouts that are needed. Together they are a challenge for the normal person without any other activities, but in Daryle’s case he also has an investment both financially and mentally in a Cross Fit program. The other question was about the possible goal of running a second marathon within 6 months. This is a clear indication that Daryle is hooked on running and is now the proverbial “kid in the candy store” that wants it all! Two very important considerations when I work with someone is: one, will they have the time to commit to training and two; how can I help them train and stay healthy? Sitting across from a prospective client and one that I respect a great deal, I have to be candid even if it means my services may not be wanted based on my beliefs. Thankfully Daryle understood where I was coming from and didn’t dismiss me immediately. I am a firm believer in both running and strength training, but you can only serve one master if you have lofty goals such as marathon training. Our bodies need time to rest and recover between runs and if we are using those non-run days to swing a kettle bell, jump rope, do box jumps or other similar strength training; our bodies are certainly not resting. Before my good friends in the Cross Fit business swing a kettle bell at me, I am not in any way disparaging cross fit, I am only cautioning against maintaining a marathon training program and another demanding program simultaneously. Strength training is a must during marathon training, full blown cross fit; probably not a good idea. The second consideration is equally important to consider as the first; that’s the idea of running 2 marathons within the same year. I suppose that it would seem logical if you get in marathon shape and maintained it, you should have no problem running another. Yes you certainly might find it easier, but would it be a good thing? There is thought that we only have so many miles in our bodies and every time we run a marathon we reduce our running longevity. I don’t think it’s wise to put our bodies through two 26.2 mile races in a span of one year, but the races themselves are not the problem. Training for two such races requires lots of miles and time, both put great stress on our bodies and our lives’ in general. Logging 40 to 50 miles a week for pretty much 9 months out of 12 does not allow for recovery or rest (both mentally and physically). If Daryle were in his 20s I would probably be okay with 2 marathons, but being 41 I strongly believe that one a year is wiser. One a year also allows for other important activities that we often take for granted such as our family and cleaning the garage. While we like to believe we can juggle it all, we can’t really do everything as well if we are committed to many. I highly recommend choosing a marathon wisely and look forward to that process each year. As I eluded too early in the blog, some people don’t want to work with a coach that limits them and that’s fine, I find it best right up front and to recommend what I think is best for each particular runner. If we are still a fit then we work together, if not that’s okay. Training people is about helping and protecting them, even from themselves. I think Daryle and I will be working together and though he may decide to vary from my suggestions at times, I believe I will be able to help him. Well time to start working on Daryle’s personal training plan! Hope you are enjoying the season!