WHY YOU SHOULD NOT TRAIN LIKE AN ELITE (unless you are one!)
Elite runners are great to look up to. We often like to know the secrets of how they train. It can be mind boggling to see elite marathoners logging 120+ miles per week. How can they do it? What does it feel like? Often we use the principles in training as the elites on a broad level. All athletics generally operate in a similar fashion using the growth formula. Stress + REST = growth. We grow when we expose our body to stress and then allow our bodies to build adaptations to that stress by resting. It is only in the resting phase that our body is able to rebuild stronger as a response to the stress. Therefore, we are only able to improve if we are able to fully recover from the stress we put our bodies through. We live in a culture that prides itself on working harder. In America, we have a bit of a hustle culture. This is NOT always a good thing. Often employees are overworking and not being as productive as they could be. Our culture does NOT value rest as much as it should. Often, these go-go-go and do-it-all-mentalities boil over into our hobbies and family life. However, in athleticism, doing more without adequate rest is a recipe for disaster. This is why we are going to discuss why you should NOT be training like an elite when you are not a professional runner.
What does a professional runner do on a day to day or week to week basis
What does their ‘job’ look like?
How does one become an elite/professional runner?
How much time do they dedicate to rest? Do they get to take naps every day?
Do they have their own PT and massage therapists?
Do they have a huge focus on fuel and perhaps people cooking for them?
What does the typical recreational elite athlete have in their life that would prevent them from training like an elite?
What is the thing that will limit most athletes like yourself? Is it talent or is it lack of resources?
What would happen if you stretched yourself thin? Would you continue to improve?
Is it all worth it?
Do you think some elites dislike the rigid-nes of their life?
Are they able to have fun, drink, go out?
The workout volume of an elite vs mortal?
How do workouts change as you progress in the sport?
Cross training vs easy running? Running more = faster runner?
