Want to start a fight in a bar? Start talking sports.
Want to start a fight in a business meeting? Start talking politics.
Want to start a fight on your next long run? Start talking training plans.
… Because everyone has a different “perfect training plan”, and everyone believes that his or her plan is the best.
The reality is that our bodies are very unique. I know – this isn’t rocket science. But think of the last time that you went out to dinner with a large group. Everyone probably ordered something a bit different. Even if they ordered the same entrée they may have selected different beverages or desserts. One person might order the same thing every time they go out, and another may like a lot of variety. One person might avoid certain foods due to allergies, and another might be drawn to a specific dish because it reminds him of home. Regardless of the reason, everyone enjoys a very different meal all with the same goal: Enjoying an evening and meal with friends and family.
As we develop our training programs we need to consider ourselves unique in our needs, our strengths, and our opportunities to get stronger. Our bodies respond to different styles of training in different ways. Some individuals are high mileage runners; they perform at their best when they are logging high numbers of miles on a weekly basis. Other runners perform best with less mileage and increased cross training; these folks may find that they are prone to injury when the weekly mileage surpasses a certain level. Other runners respond positively to cross training that involves lifting, yoga, or cycling. One runner may perform best on an empty stomach while his or her training partner is piling up a big breakfast before pounding the pavement.
So what is your magic answer? Only you will know.
We are often asked for training tips and advice at Fleet Feet Sports, and we often say “you need to find what works best for you”. We know this is a frustrating answer, but the reality is that MY magic answer may be much much different than YOUR magic answer. And to take this one step further, your magic answer may change over time. I successfully trained for one marathon in the New Balance 1062 eating Pomegranate Luna Moons and training high mileage. Lately I’ve been enjoying the Watermelon Sports Beans and the Saucony Ride… but next week is a new week, and things could change again!
How do you find your magic answer? Keep a training log! Find a way that you can record your training, and write down everything. Specifically address the areas that you don’t have pinned down as your perfect training plan. Maybe you already know your perfect training shoe, but you’re uncertain about what to eat the night before a long run. Start writing down what you have tried, what has worked, and what has left you searching for the nearest porta-john. And remember that everyone has a different magic answer. Record how much you have slept at night, what conditions you are training in (rain, hills, trails), and write down what time of day you are training. Write down what muscles are tight and what you are doing to address this issue. The more information you have about your training, the more you can tailor your training into your perfect plan.
So…on your next long, if you are gasping for air and want your training partner to carry the conversation, feel free to bring up sports, politics, and training plans. Just don’t plan to agree about everything!
- Coach S Batt
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DB Coach: While I agree that "find what works for you" can be a frustating answer, I also find it incredibly freeing. Rather than trying to wedge myself into something that is "supposed" to work, this answer allows me to take what works for others as a model and adapt it to what will work for me. That means it is going to work better and, more importantly, I am probably going to be more successful, have more fun, and stick with a training, nutrition, etc., plan.
ReplyDeleteall I know is even my twin sister and I are very different ... I really prefer to eat something before a race (although I can and have done without).. but my sister, now, she gets queasy just thinking about food before a race!
ReplyDeletegreat post Stacie!
~Mingo