What is Intelligent Training?

Sunday, August 30, 2015 · Mike Davis

Good morning! Hope you are in the midst of a great weekend. This past week was certainly crazy for me; 5 days away experiencing a completely different culture, some treadmill running, back in Dover Thursday night and was able to have a couple of consultations Friday night and finished out the week with a great NFLR group training run yesterday. Definitely a whirlwind 7 days for me but thankfully my take it “one day at a time” approach helps me to deal with a crazy and often challenging schedule. This week looks to be much less challenging, filled with mostly NFLR group runs, time at the base and enjoying life with my bride. Arriving at the NFLR Coaching & Resource Center a couple hours early to do some prep work on both gentlemen that were scheduled back to back, I quickly found that they were nearly mirror runners of each other. Separated by only a few years in age, these two men are both successful runners who regularly qualify for Boston while running very similar paces. The similarities do not end there; it is actually their similar training approaches that would bring them to No Finish Line Running for a consultation. Reviewing their data I saw what I typically see with many runners; running plans that consisted of lots of miles at mostly a range of pace that was faster than healthy or beneficial. When we have consultations it is usually not difficult to discuss the healthy running benefits of “intelligent training” but, getting runners to buy into the actual performance benefits of our “intelligent training” is often difficult. Both of these runners have been quite successful by many standards and are both very gifted runners. However, they both have found that getting to this point in their running has been challenging and at times frustrating because of their somewhat generic training plans. Both have followed popular plans that are out of books and while the results may have appeared successful based on their finish times, the overall results left them both with frustration and injury. After two great consultations I was pleased on many levels. First off I really, really like talking with great people and both of these guys are not only great runners but, they are really nice guys. Most everyone that walks in our doors are very nice people but, these two are they types that I can sit and talk with for hours. Both are very sincere and passionate about their running but also insightful enough to be willing to embrace a fairly counterintuitive approach to their training. While our NFLR “intelligent training” approach is for all levels of runners, it is often most difficult for those that have found a level of success by pushing through the miles. Talking about slowing down to any runner definitely scares those that want to attain a certain time but thankfully both of these guys are at a point that they are open to a change in their training approach. In all honesty their willingness to change is more likely brought on by factors such as injuries and lack of improvement more than anything else. However, I also think that they both are looking for a greater level of enjoyment as well. Many of us can’t begin to relate to running a 3:10 at Boston but, we all want to run healthy, stronger and find a higher level of enjoyment from our running. No Finish Line Running was founded on those exact principals and we continue to evolve our training so that we provide “intelligent training” for our runners no matter what level of running they are at. What exactly is “intelligent training?” What it isn’t is a catch phrase to market but more an approach that insures we train all of our runners in an intelligent way that insures the best possible results. Working with each runners we create personal training plans that are right for them, evaluate and improve running form and we work at strengthening the muscles from the toes all the way up through the one between the ears. All said we approach training that we feel will not only insure the best results but, just as important insures enjoyment and a lifelong activity. These two gentlemen came to us for reasons that are quite similar and our goal is to not only help them with their goals but, to help them enjoy their passion for many years to come. Exactly what we want for every level of runner and every group we work with. Thanks for having coffee with me this morning. If you are looking for an early morning run this week, we will be meeting at Dover Delight at 5:30 tomorrow (Monday) for a 50 to 60 minute run. Tuesday we will be at the Dover high school track at 6pm, Wednesday at the 7th Settlement Brewery at 6pm and then Thursday night at the Center at 6pm. All are welcome to join us! Have a great week and hopefully I see you on the roads! God Bless! Mike