I know I run the risk of upsetting some people but running clubs often prevent runners from achieving their best performance.
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” John D. Rockefeller
Many running clubs in the UK have a club championship – a series of races throughout the year where runners score points based on finishing position relative to other runners in the same club. With races spread throughout the year, many runners are often racing two or three times a month over varying distances. As a consequence, the training that many runners do fits into the gaps between the races.
One of my favourite authors, Steven Covey wrote about the 7 Habits of highly Effective People. Habit #2 is ‘Always Start With the End In Mind’
How does that effect smart training?
Well, it means having a goal, something to work towards. It could be that your goal is to win the club championship. By targeting specific races and then planning to train to peak for those races, using other races as part of the training process, you are training smart.
Seeking to achieve the best 10k or marathon that you are capable of – that might mean missing many of the club championship races. But, as Rockerfeller said, it might be a case of giving up the good for the great.
In future, I’ll look at goal setting and the different types of goal you can work towards – all of which will help you train smarter.
Please let me know your thoughts by posting a comment
and run smart!