Have you adapted your training recently to mimic some of the popular new practices of endurance sport? On a recent Strength Running podcast, two veterans of the endurance world discuss how run training has evolved over the last 30 years, the importance of developing an intuitive feel for your efforts, and the satisfaction of good, hard work. From our reliance on modern technology to heat training, Jason Fitzgerald and Alex Hutchison explain how us non-pros can apply the methodologies that we see trending with professional athletes to improve our more modest performances, while fitting it all into our daily life.
The show finishes up with a relatable conversation about why we appreciate “type 2 fun” and the value in hard work, something Hutchison refers to as the “effort paradox” in his new book, The Explorer’s Gene. My takeaway in regards to designing workouts: “the magic is…accumulating the greatest training stimulus you can over a sustained period of time within the constraints of your life.” This is very personal and unique to each athlete’s physiology and life!
Bob Becker: A Finish for the Ages at Badwater 135
Bob Becker knows something about the satisfaction from doing hard things - particularly on one’s feet. At 80 years old, Bob is now the oldest finisher of the Badwater 135 ultramarathon earlier this month, which climbs from the depths of Death Valley to the peak of Mt, Whitney. While his race preparation “focused on age-appropriate” mileage, it also included “tire pulling and cross training.”
Running Coaches Are Everywhere—but Who’s Actually Qualified?
Do you need a coach? A training plan? Can you just wing it? For newcomers to any sport, a coach can be a wise choice to train safely, realistically, and enjoyably. For anyone dealing with time constraints and a busy life, a coach might be the key to ensure each run is the most efficient use of time. If you are the type of athlete that struggles with either rest days, or shirks from intensity, the accountability to a coach can be a huge benefit. The trick, like working with any professional, is finding the right match for your unique goals and definitely - your personality. Take a look at this guide to help find a qualified and well-suited run coach and be sure to consider your expectations from the relationship.
As one of the newer shoe companies out there, On has made big developments across their line up. Their newest carbon-plated road shoe, the Cloudboom Strike shows much improvement over the previous model and the newest edition, a super light trail shoe is getting rave reviews. In fact, Katie Schide just took the Hardrock 100 record in a pair of these Cloudultra Pro superstars.
