Lets talk about how to minimize a tremendous threat to many many runners.....
#5 of 12 Obsessive Compulsive Behavior
Always athletic, I had been mountain climbing, biking and playing basketball when I visited Park City in 1993 and read an article in the Record about a great first marathon, the St. George. So at 41, I decided to train 3 months, ran at 3:29. A year later I ran a 3:07 at 190lbs., and was hooked. At 46, I injured my knee playing basketball, was advised to quit running. I ran another 40 marathons after that before getting a partial knee replacement June 2010 (Drs. Heiden and Davidson here in Park City). I have run 58 marathons, probably 35 or so as Boston qualifiers, at a relatively heavy 190lbs.
#5 of 12 Obsessive Compulsive Behavior
Always athletic, I had been mountain climbing, biking and playing basketball when I visited Park City in 1993 and read an article in the Record about a great first marathon, the St. George. So at 41, I decided to train 3 months, ran at 3:29. A year later I ran a 3:07 at 190lbs., and was hooked. At 46, I injured my knee playing basketball, was advised to quit running. I ran another 40 marathons after that before getting a partial knee replacement June 2010 (Drs. Heiden and Davidson here in Park City). I have run 58 marathons, probably 35 or so as Boston qualifiers, at a relatively heavy 190lbs.
Because
of my athletic background, I very early disavowed the status quo
training methods, which seemed old fashioned, and more dogma based than
scientific. With another great friend, and large runner (210), Dave Nemeth, we rejected common assumptions and trained as if we were not really ”runners”. Our
mutual experience was that there were too many miles and other errors
in programs designed by underweight “GGGS”, (genetically gifted,
genetically sifted), role models that had little or nothing to do with
average athletes, especially runners. We started training using methods
that have now recently been “discovered” by many in the community. Old
ideas, never the less, die hard.
Our
ideas are still often rejected, and high mileage, unbalanced junkies
are impervious to input. (can you spell Alberto Salazar?) It has been my
feeling that a majority (over 50%) of runners at the sub 3:30 level for
men, and the sub 4:00 hour level for women, engage in some form of
obsessive compulsive training behavior. The sport attracts and
encourages such individuals. However, it is very dangerous to train and
to lead a rounded life when measuring one’s self against this alleged
“peer” group. Further, I believe even these OC’s could perform much
better if they could free themselves from the self imposed “chains” of
OC behavior, besides being more fun to be around. As I often state,
“Your gravestone will not mention your marathon time”.
Motivationally,
I follow this axiom: “Ordinary people view everything as a blessing or a
curse, Warriors view everything as a challenge.” Therefore,
my mindset is not some arbitrary numbers set by the GGGS, or even the
Boston Athletic Association, but rather based on the belief that I want
to maximize performance per my own set of variables and personal needs
over a broad spectrum of my own life’s goal. (family, job, VO2 max, age,
weight etc etc.). I have a new knee. A Boston qualifier is currently
untenable, but may not be in the future. I like to ski and ride. I am over 60. What are REASONABLE goals for me right now, and how can I
achieve them with MINIMAL injury risk? Once I remove arbitrary goals, I
can dispense of arbitrary training programs, and free myself of the
burden of “imposed” programs
that actually defeat my peak performance. Remember, MOST folks in the
running community are OC, and seem successful because they are GGGS, NOT
because they are optimally trained. Whew! Here comes the hate mail!
So how do you keep from going down the OC Path?
It is almost impossible to do it on your own. (Note to readers: almost…OC’s will use this wiggle room as a total green light)
Finding
a coach that AGREES with YOUR life philosophy, not vice a versa, is
critical. Or, at the very least, ONLY surround yourself with folks that
have the same mindset. This doesn’t mean new ideas can’t be vetted or
incorporated, or you can’t run with the wackos, but rather an individual
runner cannot unilaterally and solely move forward on a training
program. Since OC’s are often impervious to science and behavior change,
they must either agree to let someone else monitor their training, or
be jettisoned from the group training program because they will unduly
influence the workout ethic. They aren’t going to change anyways, even
after an intervention. Own the problem, solve the problem. Drug
addiction methodologies are really not much different.
I’ve
read that subservience of the athlete to a coach is perhaps the
greatest predicator to performance. Finally, there can be only ONE
winner at every race. OC’s can’t accept their place in that reality.
However, there are many subgroups that you may be part of that may be
more realistic to judge yourself against.
I’m looking for a “knee replacement, over 60 years old, over 185lbs., bowlegged, low VO2max” division! LOL.
Breaking out of the vicious cycle of OC-training
So I’ll bullet point a few ideas here.
- It’s tricky listening to non running friends telling you not to run, you’re overtrained etc. Instead, get a coach or group of friends that think along your lines, then listen to them.
- Always be in a periodization program. This is a touchstone for identifying OC’s. They can’t accept the down week (4th week) in the cycle.
- Macro and micro cycle periodization in concert with cross training. For instance, use a weight training periodization cycle that tapers out prior to maximal running, honing and racing. Or leverage long ride bicycling in weeks absent of long runs.
- I always party hardy for a few weeks after a big race. Eat drink and be merry with your significant other. Gain some weight. You both need a break, physically, mentally and nutritionally. I love pizza and chocolate dipped ice cream bars. OC’s no can do.
- ALWAYS be aware of the recovery shadow, where injuries and staleness lurk. Hard marathons may shadow out for 12 weeks or more. OC’s run right thru it all.
- If you can’t EASILY, I said EASILY, accept a missed workout, or substitute in a crosstrain, or recover from an injury (injuries are a personal invitation to finally crosstrain, duh-uh), or enjoy a down week on periodization, congrats, put the OC crown on!
Now go enjoy life! It’s more precious than your workout accomplishments!
“Fasteddie” Ed Knapp
