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What You Should versus What You Could As endurance athletes, we have enormous potential to do all sorts of things. Even when we're not in good shape, or even in genuinely bad shape, we can do things that we might not have done in a long time. I am not suggesting that fitness does not deteriorate or go away, simply that if you've been an endurance athlete for an extended period of time, say a year or more, you've created an ability to do a lot. Not only does your body know how to swim, bike, or run for an extended period of time, your mind knows a lot as well about how to pace yourself through such an effort. Not to mention you know how to handle discomfort. What is the point of this observation, you might ask? Well, the cliff note version of my story is that you should not confuse what you can do with what you should do. Today a friend returned to town after an extended absence. We used to run a lot together. In fact, we once did a 50K run just the two of us for fun. Since we started running together, he's always been faster than me, though I've gotten close to him at times when I was running more. Today is not one of those times. After I lost the summer due to my collarbone break, I started back at training with a focus squarely on cyclocross and the most important thing I could do there was ride my bike. A lot and hard would be ideal, but riding was a good start given that I was off the bike, and all other training really, for 8 weeks. So I did that. My running, in contrast, just started up again a few weeks ago. During cyclocross season I never wanted to get myself sore from running so as to limit my cycling so I did not run much at all. Now that my local cross season is over, I started running again to develop a more broad fitness. Not to mention, I enjoy it. So when my friend emailed as he was about to return to town for a visit, I was both happy and scared. I enjoy running with him and looked forward to seeing him. Yet I knew that I would need to be very careful so I did not end up taking myself out of training due to the fatigue from a run with him. It was hard to admit I was not fit enough for the 10 mile route he at first suggested. Yet that is what I did. Could I have run the 10 miles? Probably. Would it have made me sore enough to mess up my training for more than a few days? Probably. Given that our compromise route was about 7 miles and it made me reasonably tired, the 10 miles would have been a mistake. I share this story not so much to talk about my training but simply
as an example. It is the time of the year when we as athletes start
to think ahead to the upcoming season and get back to more regular
training. We are capable of doing a great deal. At the same time,
we really don't need to be doing that much on a daily basis. The
athletes I coach frequently note that their schedules at this time
of year at first appear quite easy. In general they are. Not one
of their sessions is overly difficult. Yet, the cumulative effect
of those sessions starts to build, particularly for those coming
back after a few weeks away from regular training. Could these athletes
do more? Absolutely. My goal, however, is not to test their limits
now but to start the process of slowly building fitness over the
long term. As such, it is imperative to think about what you do
today not so much in terms of if you could do it, but what you should
do it. Tomorrow is another day and the chance to train effectively
today, tomorrow and the day after is what sets apart successful
athletes approaching their potential from those who are up and down,
up and down. Do what you should today and you can do it again tomorrow
and that's going to set you up for long term success. |
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February 14 Who says you have to take it easy in the winter? Tony did a great job at the Austin Marathon and set a new PR today. Nice job Tony! February 4 Coach Jason is teaching two classes at GearWest University this Sunday, one on race execution and the other on using power for multisport. January 23 The year is young but the Dig It crew is off to a great start. It was a day for winter running races and PRs as several among the Dig It gang got their year started with personal best runs today, nice job gang! January 17 Riding/racing in the middle of the night on an indoor soccer field? Really? Yeah, really!
January 13 Hey the weather outside isn't frightful, at least here in Minnesota. Who wants to ride?
January 1 Dig It wishes you a happy and successful New Year. December 14 Coach Jason discusses his passion for racing cyclocross despite being bad at it, at least so far.
December 3 Coach Jason reflects on training in the off season.
November 22 Dig It's Dan made his Ironman debut in Tempe at Ironman Arizona. He might have been new at the Ironman distance but Dan was fast and had a great performance. Nice job Dan! November 17 Debi finishes 2nd in the Virginia Triathlon Series, not bad given that she's over 50 racing against women who are literally half her age. You're an inspiration, keep it up! November 14 and 15 Dig It was out at the Minnesota State Cyclocross Champs this past weekend. It was a fun time with great weather, good racing and a general festive atmosphere. Looking forward to next year already. November 7 Scott has a great race at IM Florida, avoiding the sophmore jinx with a huge PR. Nice job Scott! October 17 Dig It athletes can run, and fast at that. Jill sets at major PR at the Whistlestop marathon where Sascha did a great half marathon as well. Maria ran a big PR as well at the Indianapolis Marathon. The dig it gang runs and runs fast! October 3 and 4 Minnesota cyclocross season is underway and rolling. Michael and Coach Jason got their seasons going with some fun and hard racing this weekend.
Michael in action at the Hudson CX. Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com.
Jason at the Planet Bike Orono CX race. Photo courtesy of Seth Iverson Photo.
September 26 It was a wet and tough day for everyone at the ITU World Short Course Duathlon Championships. Dig It athletes were out to play and did what they could on a challenging course in the midst of a downpour.
Debi is among this group of fast ladies before the skys opened again.
Here Justin Hurd closes in on the transition after a speedy first run. September 13 Forrest showed off his great fitness with a 5th overall at the Bad to the Bone Duathlon.
Forrest was indeed bad. Here is runs towards the finish. September 13 Wow, what a day for the Dig It gang. Debi was 12th overall, and 3rd woman, at a sprint tri in Virginia. Maria set a new half marathon PR in Chicago, and Forrest set a 5K PR by over a minute in Kentucky. Oh and then there was Ironman Wisconsin which was the scene of outstanding performances by Andrea, Lindsey and Henry. A successful debut and 2 PRs made it quite the day in Madison. Jason was there to cheer and take it all in.
Here Coach Jason hangs with Andrea after the race.
August 30 Keith completes his first Ironman at IM Kentucky today. On a great weather day, Keith executed a great race making all his time goals. Way to go Keith!
Josh shows his endurnace with a strong run at the Salsa 2-4, yes the 2 and 4 refer to how many hours it lasts. August 16 Dan rocks the fastest run and 2nd overall today at the Northeast Maryland Triathlon, the regional championship. Nice job Dan!
August 3 After a freak accident, Eric shows great perseverance to train for and race strong at the Calgary 70.3.
Looking strong on the bike, Eric moves along on his way to a great finish. July 19 The Dig It gang was throwing down some great performances today. At the Heart of the Lakes Triathlon Jill and Cliff achieved their season goals of making their age group podium, Jill was 2nd and Cliff 3rd on a great Minnesota summer day. At the Door County half IM, Andrea and Lindsey rocked it and showed they are on the way to great races at IM Wisconsin.
Jill and Cliff show off the hardware. June 6 Jennifer crushes her half IM PR today at Mooseman with a well executed race across the board.
May 31 Dig It's friend Justin Hurd captures the US National Long Course Duathlon Championship today in California at the World's Toughest. National Champ baby, that's a good thing to call one's self!
Photo courtesy of Auburn Events May 23-24 What a weekend for the Dig It gang. Excellent performances at the Apple Duathlon in Minnesota.
Here Cliff speeds towards the finish at the Apple Duathlon.
Also, Andrea set a half marathon PR and Forrest got his first duathlon top 10 finish with an AG win, and Jennifer got a 3rd among women and a 2nd in her age group in a sprint triathlon in Utah
Jennifer showing off some hardware! April 26 Coach Jason was in Richmond for USA Triathlon's Duathlon National Championships. It was a hot weekend but the Dig It gang did a great job.
Here Coach Jason poses with Forrest after his race. Forrest got the luck to start at 11:30 on a day that got to well over 90 degrees. Did I mention his race was hot? October 11, 2008 Justin Hurd, who Coach Jason advises, shows shows his strength at IM Hawaii. On a challenging day, for the big island no less, Justin did great in his first attempt at the World Championships as a pro. September 28, 2008 Jason in racing mode at the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Italy. It was a fun day of action.
Here the bike awaiting its trusted rider.
September 27, 2008 Jason serves as Assistant Coach with the elite athletes of Team USA at the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Rimini, Italy. It was a fun day filled with great competition for Team USA.
Here is the women's team poses for photos immediately after their finish.
October 6 Coach Jason wins the inaugural Kickin' Leaves Duathlon in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The new race had a small field but a great course. Hope everyone can make it there next year.
Jason poses with bike and trophy at home after the race.
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