Are indefinite gains possible in sports and in business?
Yesterday, I spent the evening chatting with a running team, comprising staff on active duty. Nathan Carlson, a physical therapist who was 14th yesterday in the Men’s Open 21K came in at 1:11, which is close to Singapore’s top marathoner/5,000m record-holder Mok Ying Ren’s time. His colleague Marty, who is in his mid-40’s, came in at 1:11 also, and he earned 2nd in the Masters Open category. For them, racing as a team, they individually race to win. They are motivated by prizes and podium finishes. They echoed Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack’s book title, ‘I’m Here to Win’. Tim, who had a toe injury, raced and still came under 1:30. They are committed to their individual and team goals.
Economists propose evidence of the Law of Diminishing Returns, which simple stated means that: there will come a time when your interest and need for something you enjoy, eventually, diminishes in value. However, that does not mean you will sicken of it, yet you may lose your enthusiasm for it. I think that it is a great approach for delaying the need for instant gratification, and promote delayed gratification. Gorge the kid exclusively on ice cream (not the expensive, real milk-based, pints) and they will develop an aversion for it. Negative reinforcements do work; regularly attach pain and unpleasantness to a behavior (that you like to change) and there is a negative association. Watch the documentary Super-Size Me, and you will quickly learn the painful gastronomic point about subsisting solely on convenience food.
As promised, here is my collective and compiled approach to running less, safely and faster.
1) The top runners regularly run up to six days a week; be consistent.
2) Each week includes at least two or three, alternating, intense days.
3) Hydration and nutrition (quickly absorbed calories) is crucial for training and racing.
4) You will need additional calories during intense workouts and racing.
5) Treat all injuries before you intend to race hard.
6) Run barefoot (as a complementary intervention), however race exclusively in minimalist shoes or racing shoes.
7) Your initial race pace determines your final results. Sprint and burn. Patience pays.
8) Include one longer run each week (if you run 10-milers, do up to 15-17 miles in training).
9) Hard days means training at ‘race pace’ effort.
10) Lean forwards slightly when your run; avoid upright running (which looks cool but slows you down due to the 'braking' action).
10) Lean forwards slightly when your run; avoid upright running (which looks cool but slows you down due to the 'braking' action).
(Seated L to R: Elite age-group runners Nate, Paul, Mary & Tim)
When you spend time with the elite age-groupers, you do pick up their energies. They are serious about their task when racing, and they do their best. They also know how to enjoy the privilege and opportunities bestowed on them. We bumped into the British team after dinner, and the English lads were also fun-loving guys who know when to activate their seriousness when racing for their organizations. Switch on, and switch yourself on differently.
