Lessons Learned While Training

March 4, 2008

When I’m not spending time with family or working, I enjoy training for endurance sports – running, biking and triathlons (swimming is a part of triathlon, but I won’t lie – I don’t like training to swim.  Working on my attitude here…).  Every once in awhile, I race.  I’m writing this entry from a hotel in Austin the evening before running in the Austin Marathon (I’m running the half).  I train and race with a group of about 10 guys;  it’s an eclectic group – different ages, professions and ability levels – but we all share a common passion and it’s a lot of fun to get to know each other through a sport that we all love.  Though we often train as a group on weekends, because of work/life issues my weekday training is usually done solo; which leads to many hours on the trails or roads with just my thoughts to keep me company.  It’s during these times that I’m able to work through things that are bugging me or concept out new ideas or be creative about something fun with the family.  I also think a lot about the training I do – it’s important to me and I want to do well, so I spend the time to figure out how to maximize the ability I have (which really isn’t much – I’m a “middle-of-the-pack” guy).  Over time, it’s struck me that many of the habits I’ve formed while training “wash over” into other parts of my life; most notably my work life.    

Here’s what I’ve learned while training for endurance events:

 

Anyone can do it – I’ve seen all ages and shapes at events.  I’ve heard amazing stories of people overcoming difficult circumstances and I’ve seen, first hand, major improvements to health and personal satisfaction.  It’s true that some people are more talented than others and no amount of work will make you an Olympic athlete unless you are extremely gifted; but with the right effort, anyone can compete.

 

Improvement is gradual and is only accomplished by consistent effort – Our bodies adapt to training stress very slowly.  It’s critical that appropriate intensity, duration and frequency are applied.  If we push too hard, injury is inevitable.  To become a runner, you start by walking…then walking a bit farther and more quickly…then walking with a few running spurts intermixed…then running a short distance at an easy pace…and so on until you reach your goal whether it’s running a 5k or a marathon.  During this training time, multiple systems in the body are adapting to the increasing stress.  The body becomes stronger, more efficient at processing fuel and oxygen and more economical in the way it moves.  Frequency is the most important component – it’s critical that the right work is done day after day after day after day….

 

To know how much you’ve improved, occasionally, you have to push yourself to the edge – Training is all well and good, but occasionally, you need to race to learn how much you’ve improved.  The excitement of a race is palpable – the nervous energy in the air, the noise and the people all create a sense of anticipation that’s really fun.  When the gun goes off, the adrenaline rush can make the training all worth while.  Even if you don’t race at the front, the experience is really fun and is a valuable tool to measure what’s been accomplished.   

 

Are you “training” for something in your work life?  If not, I’d suggest you create a goal and begin making steady progress toward it.  Invest in yourself and discipline yourself to maintain focus on where you want to go.  Find people that can help you, develop resources that will provide information that can shape you, seek out experiences that will grow your skills.  On occasion, “enter a race” - give a talk to a group, write a paper and try to get it published in a professional journal, lead a high profile project, serve on a committee for your professional association…Regardless of the outcome, you’ll be better than when you started the journey.

 

Anybody can do it.

 

Regards,

 

Tom