From Excuses to Empowerment: Choose Your Path
It’s common to hear, “I couldn’t train on the right terrain.” Truthfully, I catch myself saying it too. It’s the fear of not succeeding that leads us to make excuses in advance. Perhaps it wasn’t your best day, or you weren’t fully prepared.
This week’s theme hits close to home, thanks to a recent escapade. Picture this: a buddy drops the bomb that he’s zipping off to the Mont Aux Sources race for a casual 50km jaunt, and I, on a whim, decide to tag along. The thought of a 1am wake up is less daunting than choosing a midnight snack—I’m no stranger to lacing up at odd hours. So, there I was, tackling this climb without much mountain specific prep, just my usual flatland speed drills training, simulating the terrain of the Karkloof trails. But hey, who needs mountains when you’ve got sheer stubbornness as your secret weapon?
Truth is, that not everyone has the luxury of training in mountainous terrains or the desired landscape, yet it’s possible to devise strength-building exercises tailored for particular events. Many sought-after races and renowned running trails are characterized by their significant elevation gains, be it through mountainous ascents, continuous undulating hills, or short, steep inclines. Those fortunate enough to live near such terrain have an advantage. However, even runners from flatter regions can excel in mountainous or hilly races by innovating their training routines.
Here are some strategies to consider:
1. Hill Repeats: Locate any hill and perform multiple hill repeats. The benefits derived from just ten repetitions on a modest incline can be substantial.
2. Indoor Training/Spinning Bike: Engage in a 30-minute session on the highest resistance, standing when necessary, to build quad strength for ascents.
3. Proprioception Exercises: For those without access to rocky paths, it’s crucial to acclimate your feet to irregular surfaces. Resources like Runner’s World offer excellent proprioception exercises.
Access to diverse terrain and ample time is not a privilege everyone enjoys. Consider the female who can only afford to run at 6pm and opts for the safety of a track, repeating laps. Or the parent who relies on a treadmill while managing childcare responsibilities. The scenarios are countless, yet we all have the capacity to devise a plan or, alternatively, to craft excuses.
In these newsletters, I often draw parallels between running and life lessons. The underlying message here is the importance of perseverance and the avoidance of excuses. It’s about tackling the task at hand and abstaining from self-imposed limitations.
I firmly believe that excuses have hindered many individuals from reaching their full potential. Countless people who could have had a significant impact on the world have left this earth with their dreams unfulfilled all because of excuses.
Your potential is limitless. Don’t let excuses be your downfall. If you truly want to do something, you’ll find a way. The world needs your unique talents and contributions
