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Signing up for a long distance endurance event happens one of two ways. The first is a calculated decision based on research, motivation and allows for six to nine months of precise training. The second is impulsive, probably due to fear, procrastination, peer pressure and may or may not follow a botched race the previous week. Which one has the highest probability of failing? The answer is; they both are equally susceptible to failure! There are a few ways to nail a race, leaving tons of “woulda, shoulda, coulda” moments along the way. We’ve all had the, “What have I just done?” moment after you’ve jumped head first into a huge challenge. The difference with an endurance event is a whole lot can go wrong between when you sign up and when you actually have to execute your special day.
How can a seemingly thorough plan turn into a colossal learning experience? Besides injury, a common weak point among athletes is complacency. Usually, race day is pretty far into the futureand the initial process seems very exciting. However, once you’ve announced your intentions via Facebook and the buzz has faded, the training needs to really start. If you have a coach, he or she will do their best to pass on all knowledge, hoping thatvital plan is absorbed likea sponge taking on water. The truth is, at a certain point, when the hours add up and the excitement passes, sabotage comes about. Here are two common pitfalls we see as coaches.
Whether you’re getting to that first 5k, running a 100 mile race or tackling your first long distance triathlon, you should always surround yourself with athletes who add value to your experience. I’ve found truth in a phraseI once heard and I’ve tried to tailor it towards endurance racing. I believe your athletic competence and achievements will be the average of the five athletes you train with. I’ve always trained up, meaning I seek out those who can challenge me in a positive way, avoiding complacency and ensuring my body is adequately fueled for the demands of the day. After all, this is a solo effort on race day and you’ll need to be a mental and physical fortress from head to toe! From the moment you sign up for a race, no matter how it’s come about, you’re either moving forward or falling behind…this all depends on your willingness to plan, learn and execute.
Good luck and above all have fun!
See you out on the course,
Nick
One of the more popular recent voices on the subject promotes a plant-based diet in a big way: The Game Changers. This Netflix special proposes eliminating meat from your diet and replacing it with plant-based sources of protein and nutrition.
Having spent years as a vegan and understanding the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, I couldn’t help but agree with many of the points brought to light in the film.
As a medical doctor, I saw a fundamental flaw in his information: plant-based proteins do not contain enough of each essential amino acid for most of to provide their bodies the wherewithall to optimize body protein synthesis. This is a fact observed through my own experience, through the experience of my patients, and backed by scientific research.
You know that the cardiovascular system is responsible for pumping blood and oxygen throughout your system, right? And that the endocrine system manages hormones? And that your nervous system relays messages throughout your body?
Well, underlying all these systems is an astoundingly complex electrical system.
This electrical system is busy sending an almost uncountable number of messages to the muscles, bones, brain, and the cells. The human brain is the home to approximately 100 billion neurons, each firing about 200 times every second.
Sometimes it feels like there are more types and brands of water than drops in the ocean. You go to the grocery store and discover a huge shelf packed with different brands of water that all claim to be health-beneficial. Add in the hundreds of in-house water purifiers, and it can seem like a “sea” of confusing options (cue the pun).
Thankfully, your choice doesn’t have to be that complicated.
