Now What?

One of my favorite local running paths

The End Is Near!

The end of your running year may be near if not already over.  However, whether you realize it or not, it’s also the beginning of a new year too!  November and December are excellent months to recover from a grueling year of running and also plan your race schedule for the coming year. But, these months are often when runners are extremely susceptible to fitness regression.

For me the combination of the change in weather, less daylight, holiday commitments, seasonal chores, and even a warm fire in my fireplace each evening result in an attitude change where I believe I don’t really need to run today. After all, thanks to my training I am fit, one more day of rest may actually be good? I tell myself I will go tomorrow, then of course don’t run. Then of course, tomorrow arrives and the scenario repeats. By the end of the week my running log is nearly barren. Slowly but surely my morning weigh-in reminds me that I have been putting off my training.

Then suddenly before I know it the new year may only be a few days away and when I do manage to hit the road for a run my pace is not what it used to be just a few weeks ago. I feel like a new novice runner. Sure, I may have a renewed determination to return to my personal peak performance level but I also realize it will not be easy. I cuss at myself for not maintaining my fitness level and fantasize about the time just a few weeks prior, when running was a much easier venture.

So, what is the solution?  How to prevent this scenario? How can you not only assure your fitness level but also enter into the new year ready to compete? 

Well, the answer is rooted in accountability. Having a person such as an experienced running coach can greatly improve your chances of emerging from these two months ready to run in the new year!

The Running Architect is offering an end of year training program to get you ready for 2019. 

The program consists of weekly plans designed for your specific goals. It begins with gaining an understanding of your running year, evaluation of your training and racing, and what you are aiming to achieve in 2019. 

Next, each week a schedule a unique will be prepared for you, a one week “look ahead”. The schedule will outline training and times for the week ahead.  Then during the week you will be contacted on a regular basis to help assure your success for each week. This process is repeated on a weekly basis to the end of the session.

• The program is e-based and includes unlimited email and/or text communications.  

• The weekly sessions begin November 5, 2018 and extend to January 1, 2019.  

• The fee for this program is only $35* for a limited number of spots available!

• Maximize your investment and sign-up now!

Thank you for visiting my blog and Run Happy!

* The fee for any existing members of a RRCA club is $25

The Running Architect

So You Signed Up to Run a Full or Half Marathon!

So you have signed up for a full (26.2) or half (13.1) marathon. Most likely your big race is in the fall months, you are already four to maybe eight weeks into your training plan, you may have "mostly" kept to some sort of training plan, and so far so good.  Right? 

You also very likely fall into one of two categories, either you are an experienced runner who knows what you are doing because you have done this so many times before, or you are a runner who has never trained to run either a full or half marathon. 

If you fit the first category you most likely have plateaued in your race results. Perhaps you are consistently on the outer bubble of marathon times it takes to qualify for Boston. Perhaps you consistently finish among the leaders in your age group but your PR's just keep getting farther away and fewer between? But you are a seasoned veteran of many marathons and other races so you know how to correct this right?

For those who fit the second category, a newer runner, are you sure you know how to take on the challenges of the training that remains ahead?  Perhaps you are training with a runner that fits the first category above? You figure if your experienced running buddy knows what they are doing so all you need to do is follow along, right?

My guess is the the vast majority of all runners can easily fit into one or the other category of runners noted above.  But when race day comes, you stand there alone at the start (with hundreds or thousands along your side), the thought will inevitably enter your brain, did I really train well enough to do this?  Could I have run another long run?  or any number of other second thoughts about your training. Fortunately, you will not have too much time to dwell on your thoughts because the gun will go off and you will be running a marathon (or half)! 

Well one way to secure your thoughts, gain confidence, race smartly, or break through your racing plateau is to work with an experienced running coach.  There are as many reasons and ways to work with a coach as there are runners. Most runners and coaches believe it's best to work with a coach from the very beginning of a runner's training plan. While there are benefits to such an arrangement it doesn't preclude retaining a coach after you have already started training for your big race!

The runner can benefit even from periodic meetings and sessions with a coach.  Although the sooner a coach can be involved with a runner during their training the better.  So, back to the start, if you have signed up to run a full or half marathon for the fall of this year now is the time to connect with The Running Architect and find out how you can break through that plateau of race finish times, optimize your training effort between now at the sounding of the start gun, and race your best! 

Take a peek at our Services link and review options that are available to you the runner regardless of what stage of training you are at now. 

Remember, Run Happy

Coach Lee  aka  The Running Architect 

The Architecture of Coaching

An architect is one of the world's oldest professions yet also one of the least understood too. The title of Architect can be traced to ancient times with the word meaning "Master Builder". The ancient architects were responsible for not only the design of buildings and structures but they also constructed the entire project. They oversaw and orchestrated the entire process!  

In today's' world the role of the architect has substantially diminished since ancient times but the architect still maintains the responsibility to oversee and coordinate many other diverse disciplines involved with the design and construction of a building. Today's architect is less of an expert in any single disciple such as structure, lighting, energy, site design, and many more, but brings value to their client's by being able to truly orchestrate a wide diversity of specialty disciplines into a successful building for their client.

If you think about it, the same is true in the running world.  There are experts in a variety of specific topic areas such as; nutrition, strength training, injuries, shoes and gear, and so many more. What the runner is left with is a hit and miss approach on what works best for each different runner, and why something is best for that runner. 

Many runners will hire a running coach and very often the coach has a huge impact towards the runner achieving their goal. What makes The Running Architect's approach to running unique is the depth of experience and proven ability to synthesize the countless options each runner is faced with in training to enable the runner to be more efficient in their training and to reach their specific goal.

Very few people ever have the experience to work with an architect, thus most people lack an understanding of just what an architect does and how does an architect bring value to their clients. The same cannot be said of many other professions, especially in the areas of medicine, law, finance, etc. Through working with The Running Architect, the runner will gain insights to the architectural process while achieving "Success" as a runner.