Control Freaks

As we approach major fall 5Ks, half marathons, and marathons I am reminded of our Marathon Training Program from the Fall of 2008.

The 2008 Fleet Feet Sports Marathoners-In-the-Making had trained for 4+ months to prepare for the Richmond Marathon. With anxiety high, a nervous and excited group of Fleet Feet-ers prepared for the big 26.2 miles awaiting them in Virginia. After enduring long runs through extreme heat, downpouring rain, and cool frosty mornings, it seemed as though the crew was ready for anything. But mother nature still had a surprise for us all.
Throughout the week leading up to the race we were haunted by forecasts of 40 degree weather combined with a 90% chance of thunderstorms. Everyone was working to develop a creative plan for tackling what looked like it would be a tough race day environment. We ventured north with suitcases full of warm apparel and water proof clothing. But Saturday morning proved that you just never know what to expect.
Race day turned out to hit a high of 80 degrees with 90% humidity. Headwinds added an additional challenge to the final 10 miles of the marathon, and the entire day left us all overdressed, dehydrated, and struggling to endure the unexpected conditions. While many race participants were unable to finish the event, we were proud and impressed to see our Fleet Feet Sports trainees all make it through the finish line – although each one of them had a story of how the conditions had affected them on the course.
Unexpected heat left many participants dehydrated, under-nourished, and forced many of us to adjust our race strategy to a more appropriate goal based on the conditions. Excitement over finishing the race was slightly tarnished with disappointment in slower-than-anticipated race times and tough memories of race day struggles.
But we all learned something from the Richmond Marathon 2008. We learned we just can’t control everything.
A lot of people in the world are very “in tune” with the fact that some things in life are not within our control. But then there are those of us who might be considered “control freaks”. We don’t want to adjust our plan for anything or anyone – we are living/training/racing on a mission – and nothing will get in the way of that mission.
The reality is that a smart athlete will adjust his or her plan to conditions. These conditions might involve a crazy and unexpected day of bad weather. Or these conditions might involve a nagging injury that forces us to alter our training schedule. These conditions might even be a child who keeps us up all night before a long run and forces us to adjust our approach to the day of training. Whatever these “conditions” may be, we will be more successful in our training and racing if we learn to adjust, to be flexible, and to make the most out of our run based on the opportunity that we have before us.
If you consider all of the “greats” in the history of athletics we will find a singular common trend. Athletes who have maintained a high level of performance for an extended period of time are the athletes who have been flexible and dynamic. Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres is an ideal example of an athlete who has adapted to changes in life and maintained success throughout this variety of conditions.
So – my fellow control freaks – as we ramp up for an exciting fall of racing and training I encourage you all to be flexible. Make the necessary adjustments to maintain success. And if I can’t convince you on my own, then look around for someone who ran the Richmond Marathon 2008…. The conversation usually starts out “Oh Richmond… (sigh)”.
Happy Running and Training Fleet Feet-ers – Coach S. Batt