I've been on Struggle Street for the better part of 3 weeks. When I'm on Struggle Street, running feels awkward and forced, I can't go hard, I'm always tired, but sleep like crap, I feel like I've got a permanent, low grade cold and I wrestle with motivation. Although it's unpleasant, I've found over the years that there's not much I can do during these periods to hurry the process out of the lull.
Although I know it's just semantics, I stop thinking of my runs as training and start thinking of them as exercise. I find this shift allows me to be more flexible and easy on myself. I stop striving so much and I really try to listen to my body. Unfortunately, I'm not always a good listener and don't always heed my own advice or experience, which may be why this slump lasted almost 3 weeks.
Over the weekend, somewhere along the dirt service road heading up Blackcomb mountain, with snow banks towering above my head, peaks barely visible above the dirty white walls, I noticed that I had a bit more pep in my stride and I was enjoying the effort. I think I might have finally switchbacked my way off Struggle Street.
I also spent a few days last week hanging with the Salomon Canada crew who were in town for a sales meeting. I got to see some of the sweet new gear and kicks for next year and met a team of passionate and fun people who work behind the scenes to bring the product to stores across the country.
I joined in for a Salomon Hash run in Stanley Park, led by the one of a kind Munny Munroe and was wined and dined with some seriously good food at local eateries. I also finally got to see the famous Phil V Crossmax rig-doing Alberta and the brand proud.
5 comments:
Adam, did ever try to insert a few heavy weight, short, huge rest, loew rep sessions? - I mean while u had those awful 33 weeks stuff...
bests, Adam
eesh.sorry for typing errors.
Luckily it was only 3 weeks and not 33. Are you asking if I took any time off? or if I was doing any strength training during the time?
Rest came as a matter of how I was feeling, but overall I would say both the mileage and intensity of my runs dropped significantly.
I didn't set any specific goals for my runs, going just by feel and turning back or stopping when I had enough.
As for weights. Haven't done them in a while, so no. I have found that a change in stimulus, i.e. strides or a harder session can sometimes work too. But only if I feel like that's what I need and I didn't feel like that's what I needed. I was too tired and didn't want to do anything structured.
I did try to find new areas to run, which often gets me motivated and excited to explore. It was the main reason why I went up to Whistler and why I found myself on Blackcomb Mnt.
I suggested only, during these periods add 1 or 2 really heavy ( relatively of course) weight sessions.
I am no expert or scientist , only an athlete and coach. From experience I can tell, it works.
Background would be: the type and amount of running practice some times effect athletes hormonally.Shortly you can easily get in spirals, either ruinng ons or building up ones. Testosteron and HGH production naturally can be stimulized by lifting heavy weights (as sprints as well) and changes in diet.
Combination is always better.
Although the way you think is also great, run as the body says, ... finding new routes, etc.
Maybe next time try short 20-30 min, heavy weight conditioning, with huge rests, low rep, and relatively heavy weights. example, if your bench press max is 80kg, do 5×5×70...
just a tip, all the bests
A.
Ha, thank you for thinking I could benchpress anywhere close to 80kgs!
The suggestion and logic make sense. I appreciate the feedback. Like a lot of runners/endurance athletes, I have an unnatural fear of heavy weights, although intuitively I can see the benefit to using them.
I really appreciate the feedback and will give it a try.
Cheers,
Adam
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