Misplaced Priorities: Training vs. Racing

As aspiring distance runners you have all learned that it takes a great deal of dedication and work to become winners. The volume and quality of the work we must do to reach our potential can sometimes become a challenge in itself. One of the unintended consequences of this hard work is that after awhile we sometimes blur the distinction between training and racing. Our workouts can take on a life of their own and dominate our psyche. We begin to become TRAINERS instead of RACERS. Remember, the goal of a workout -- or a series of workouts -- is to make you a better RACER, not a better trainer.

As you progress through the season (and through your off-season workouts) please remember this key point... I'm here to compete, to win races--- NOT simply to do better workouts. The purpose of these workouts is to improve my chances of winning a RACE and helping my team in a meet.

Now, please don't misinterpret what I'm saying. Please don't think practice isn't important. It's VERY important. But the importance of practice is to bolster your racing abilities. That is why you should be knowledgeable of your various pace times, interval splits, etc., so that your body is familiar with the numbers you should be hitting and can handle the intensity of effort during a RACE.

O.K., coach. I hear you, and I think that I understand where you are coming from, but how do I know if I'm a trainer instead of a racer? Fair question. Here are some hints. Although you run awesome workouts you consistently do not race at the same level. You tend to shy away from competing in favor of running a knock-down workout. Subconsciously you may even let people pass you in races to conserve strength for another day. You may be injured a lot and subconsciously use that as an excuse not to compete well.

Oh, and speaking of injuries, here is some food for thought. All good runners eventually get them. The secret is to reduce the severity and chronicity of the injury. I try to do that for you as best as I can, but the truth of the matter is that most runners are going to incur an overuse injury sometime during their career--sometimes even on a seasonal basis. When that happens I attempt to give you as much rest as needed to aid in the recovery process. It's important that you take care of yourself and recover.

That being said, as competitive runners we hate to lose. Prior to a big race or particularly difficult workout we may think too much about perceived discomfort. We may become fearful, scared, and then dwell too much on every conceivable little twinge we feel in our bodies; sometimes over estimating the importance of minor physical inconveniences and discomforts. Don't let your mind run away with itself and take your courage along with it. And remember, many great athletes have overcome adversity to win. That's what makes them winners--that raw unassailable courage and determination to win despite the obstacles in your path.

Good luck, and train well to win the RACE.