The Art and science of training I was going to write about running and training. New methods, technology. You know. The usual way we do it in health-fitness education. But in conversations with some of you at the club. And in the community. I was brought back to reality……………………. Us runners are a different breed. We don't wear the funny looking shoes (and short……shorts for that matter) for nothin. We're our own cult. I mean in this day in age where most of the country doesn't even want to walk to the bus stop. A lot of us are in a malaise because our AT (anaerobic threshold ) pace isn't what we want or need it to be. For years in one on one consults. Even at various runners workshops, marathon clinics I've had the privilege to speak at. When I bring up the topic of cross training. Or using other aerobic exercises to supplement. Even "enhance" your running, I get those looks like I'm going to talk about how to file the new federal tax forms. Everybody starts looking for the exit. I had a whole section I was going to write about on the current research correlating the elliptical trainer and running fitness for racing and performance. (for those of you who don't know. The elliptical is the new latest aerobic exercise tool that closely mimics the running motion. Without the pounding.) I use one of these myself. But. I'm one of you. One of the clan. As much as I like to use it. A little voice in my head says it's not the real deal. It's not like being out there running, even if you don't know the mile split (pace) you're running at. You kinda feel like you're……….ah cheating. Same with running on a treadmill. You can wear the short running shorts. You're favorite long distance true running shoe. (not the fake ones from a sporting goods chain). But. It's just not the same. Is it? Now you already know this. Don't delete this when I say it. Swimming and running are very complementary. I know. I know. I don't like it either. But……it's fantastic for training. And keeping you on the "team" ( if you run races) while you recover from an injury. Just to let your legs recover. You don't even have to be perfect at it. The club also has "aquatic training shoes". You can pool RUN better. And again. Maintain or increase your running fitness. The AQx Aquatic Training Shoe "ATS" is great for fitness, cross-training, rehab and recovery. It was designed to make deep-water running feel more like land-based running. Resistance is 2-3 times depending on your velocity. Designed based on the principle of "specificity of training"...that the deep water running movement pattern needs to be closely aligned with a land-based running style to maximize the benefit to the runner. Do I talk about strength training? No. I've probably lost a lot of you already. I'll really close it down by dare talking about strength and running in the same sentence. Here's the deal. Motivated people that exercise. (or what I refer to as the "usual 20 suspects") LIKE the experience of the time they spend in the activity they do. Those of you boomer runners who are still trying to stay on the varsity know most of our families, friends, co-workers think we're nuts. We don't always like getting up at 5 a.m. to run 20 miles to train to run a marathon (which we have to get up even earlier and run even farther to do). But once we get into the activity of our passion. We enjoy the experience. This is one of the big reasons cross training, or even the latest training program from our favorite running magazine or web site doesn't always appeal to us. Once a lot of us figured out how this running and training worked. We designed our running schedule around how we like to do it. Keep looking at these creative ways to stay at a high running fit level. Collect the data. Store it. And perhaps someday you will integrate another way to train into your personal schedule………………
Coming up……………………………….. I'm working on trying to get author, writer for sports illustrated magazine and former U of O runner Kenny Moore to come and speak to club and area runners at TAC sometime this summer. Moore is the author of the latest running book "Bowerman and the men of Oregon". He talks about his time running at U of O under the legendary track coach Bill Bowerman. If we can't get him this summer. We definitely will in the future……… This is also a community runners site……………. If you got to this link from the Timberhill athletic club web site and are not a member no problem. Feel free to send you feedback and comments to me wherever your from. If we host any club runners workshops and you are close enough to attend, you are more than welcomed to come.
And finally. If you are a TAC club member. And you know another runner that needs to see this site. Make sure you remind them. Or let me know and I'll be glad to follow up with a personal e mail or phone call. Talk to you soon.
Thanks,
Mike Waters
Health Promotion Director
Timberhill Athletic Club 541-757-8559 | 
