As my first post in a new year, I'd like to once again dive into why I chose the name "Realistic Running."
Pablo Picasso
There's an old story in various forms about someone approaching Pablo Picasso at a cafe and asking him to do a sketch on a napkin. A few minutes later he asked for 10,000 francs. The requestor was shocked, saying, "But it only took you a minute to draw!" "No," Picasso replied, "that took me 40 years."
Of course, what Picasso meant was that it was his entire 40-year journey as an artist that allowed him to draw that sketch in a few seconds. That story has nothing at all to do about running, but it does explain why you should listen to what I have to say about running. I have been running for, let's say, 39 years; I didn't know when I started that I would have to remember the date. I have experienced many, many cycles of ups & downs, what works, what doesn't, and... the injuries. On top of that, I've taken the time to become certified as a both a running coach and an online coach. Aside from being a running coach, I am also a software engineering manager, I've been a Scoutmaster, and at two different times in the past I've been a karate instructor. I am no stranger to coaching & training people of all ages to accomplish difficult things!
The "realistic" part comes into play as a contrast to many opinions that you might find elsewhere on the internet. I belong to too many running & fitness related Facebook groups to count. I see many people who join those groups looking for information. Oh, do they ever get some information! Because runners in general love to talk about running and love to help other people run, the information is free-flowing in Facebook groups. The problem is that much of that information is misguided. There are multiple reasons. It's not intentional. People are trying to help. But it seems that there is an "oral history" for running provided online. What I mean is that training tips are passed on by word of mouth from runner to runner. Some of it is based in research that happened a long time ago without keeping up with new research showing different results. Also, what appears to have worked for Runner A isn't necessarily the best thing for Runner B. And, sadly, sometimes Runner C proudly states "Oh yes, I've had the same injury as you for 5 years, I do this and it works!" Does it, though?
Examples of Running Lore That Aren't Really True
- Your maximum heart rate is 220-(your age)
- Stretching makes you a better runner
- Weightlifting makes you a better runner
- Cycling makes you a better runner
- Heel Striking is bad, Forefoot Striking is good
- 180 steps per minute is the Holy Grail
- "Lactic Acid"
- Shoes can cause or cure injuries
- The average college kid working part time in a running store knows about gait analysis
- Endurance running lowers your immunity
- Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps (EAMCs) are due to dehydration/electrolytes.
- You can do anything you set your mind to!
- Who needs to pay for a coach when marathon training plans are free?
Why Should You Listen To Me?
Why do I think I know better than years of running lore? There are a few reasons. First of all, like I said above, I've been through a lot myself. I've had asthma, a major broken leg, stress fractures in legs and feet, a sports hernia, a "slipping rib", and sciatica, to name but a few. I've coached others, young and old, who have had similar and different setbacks. On top of that, I have a burning desire to fight the battle against aging and improve my performance. But most of all, as those of you who have watched my FB Live videos know, I call myself "a perpetual student of all things running." I don't just run, I am into running. I read books about running. I look up medical research on running. I experiment by trying new things on myself, so I know first hand whether or not they work.
The Coming Year
I look forward to expanding on the example topics above in the coming weeks. In every post you will see references to research explaining my point of view. My goal: to get others to join me in practicing Realistic Running!
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