There
seems that there is a lot of “specific” preparation for various ultra-endurance
events these days. Forget the Comrades; every second person seems to be
training for the ABSA Cape Epic or (in some cases AND!) Ironman South Africa. Everyday
folks doing extraordinary things athletically and I'm all for it, within reason
of course.
I
have noticed a trend however, which I find amusing, sometimes disturbing and
often ironic: that is the concept of quantifying one's training. Number of kilometres
per week, monthly hour totals, heart rate records, specific training zones,
power output, caloric intake etc. Important markers for elite athletes but is
this data really necessary for the average amateur competitor? Even for the
above-average competitor?
For instance, if you keep detailed records of your
training heart rates over a set period, do you print out the graphs and stick
them on your lounge wall? Thought not. If you go for a two hour cycle and an
unexpected headwind comes up in the last half of that ride, causing you to be
out there for an extra twelve minutes, do you get off your bike once the clock
says two hours and walk the remaining distance home? Probably not. But some
people might.
I
can certainly relate to being a “slave-to-watch.” There have been extended
periods of my sporting life where weekly totals and rigid training structures
have been a priority, bordering on obsession. But there have been other periods
where I have just gone with the flow and oblivious to the clock, which usually follows an extended period
“mileage chasing.” These easy-going periods have almost always resulted in a
better mindset, overall health and exceptional fitness gains.
Case
in point 2011. In a tumultuous turn of events last July, my watch strap broke.
I now had to decide: buy a new watch, carry the strapless clock with me or let
go and run by feel? I had always wondered what it would be like to train “watch-less”
and reluctantly decided to give this option a try. One year later I can say
I've never felt more free and incidentally, more fit. Letting go of the
shackles of time and a rigid schedule has been epiphany of sorts. My overall
training pace has moderated as a result yet my energy levels have sky-rocketed.
Every now and then, I get the urge to “push it” in training or compete in a running
race and let my legs do the talking instead of checking splits every few
minutes. Or worrying whether I have run 48 minutes instead of 45.
One
of the key factors to this obsession with numbers is the plethora of sample
weekly schedules of the sporting elite, which grace the pages of endurance
sports publications and websites. This has certainly contributed to the
over-training culture prevalent in today's endurance community. One should
never compare one's training to that of an elite athlete. A professional athlete's
lifestyle is the polar opposite of everyday folk who seek peak performance in
their desired sport. Yet all too often, we see people with careers and families
who are hell-bent on training upwards of twenty hours/week. Prerequisite weekly
mileage is in fact a security blanket that many athletes use to hide behind.
On
the flip side, there are some refreshing examples. I know of an elite-level
cyclist who runs his own business and has a young family, yet regularly podiums
at large road and MTB races. His training approach is to cycle for
approximately 1hr30 twice a week (weather permitting) before taking his kids to
school. Saturday or Sunday is
reserved for either a training ride or
race. He doesn't cycle in winter except for a once weekly MTB foray on the
weekend! No heart rate monitor, no power tap and no worries. While he certainly
has immense natural talent, most of his competitors would have trouble implementing
this laid-back and balanced approach into their lives. Whenever I see him out
on the road, he is always riding with a smile on his face.
Break
free of time/effort/distance, focus on the enjoyment and watch your results
improve.
