In one of my recent posts I hinted that I personally disliked the coaching profession (though not the coaches themselves); it's not helpful to me.
From my limited experience as a non-professional athlete in both team sports (football, baseball, track, etc.) & individual sports (triathlon & cycling) coaching provided for a disciplined schedule of training & tactics in exchange for the loss of spontaneity.
No longer were you just out running, throwing, dodging cars, outwitting the neighbor dog, and otherwise having fun with your friends on an all day adventure into several activities at various levels of intensity, covered in grit & grim, with a tired satisfaction (of not accomplishing anything per se) enjoying the day.
Now everyone is focused into the minutia of particular (and sometimes peculiar) tasks to maximize your potential (in whatever skill). The person being coached (especially if they're a paying customer) feels compelled to follow the tasks to the T, otherwise they're wasting $$. So its interval this, split time that, repeat! Monitor your intensity, wattage, HR, minimize junk time, rest! Analyze & adjust.
In the one year I was using a cycling coach, he asked me at the beginning what my major goal was? When I told him, "too have fun" (rather than a particular race or placing), & I think it confounded him. Some people need coaching, they need the guidance, impetus, and feedback that their coach provides. Others, like myself, are self-motivated and prefer a different approach.
I like to employ the fartlek method in my lone wolf training, as it keeps me fresh and ready to tackle the miles & intensity at my own whim - do just enough, with frequency, but not too much, have fun, eat & and rest!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Repetitions
Not sure why it is we (the generic "we" as athletes) keep track of the number of times we do certain things, especially pertaining to our exercise workouts?
Why do we count sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, lat dips, bench presses, lunges, etc.? Why do we count number of laps in the pool, laps on the track, or floors while stair climbing? [Does anyone out there besides me do actual stair climbing, in a stairwell of a building or slope of a hillside, instead of the machine version?] Who cares about how many intervals, at what pace, HR, wattage, etc.?
Seems to me that there is too much effort placed on keeping focused on & improving "numbers" without being engaged as to enjoying your athletic endeavors for what they are and the resulting improvement that entails.
I no longer employ the company of a HR monitor, power meter, or bike computer. I can't tell you exactly how many miles traveled, at what specific pace, or elevation gained at what peak gradient...but I still get some quality back-to-basics workouts while having a great time.
Speaking of time - think of all the time it takes install the equipment, make sure it sized properly, reading the usage instructions, and the post-workout time spent it takes to analyze your electronic data. And don't even think about the additional stress if/when your batteries quit, oh the humanity!
I had a cycling coach one year not too long ago (when I, incorrectly, thought I needed some good guidance) who asked me what my most important goal was: and I think my answer "to have fun" confounded him. The professional coaching population would cringe to see this - especially those that detail every last waking moment of their athletes particular schedule - but they suck the life out of what's important (but that's a topic for another discussion).
I challenge you to do a set of sit-ups (pull-ups, push-ups, whatever) without counting. The not counting part will probably be harder than the actual exercise. Leave your HR monitor at home, take off that cycling computer - don't be a slave to the numbers & just go outside and have FUN!
Why do we count sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, lat dips, bench presses, lunges, etc.? Why do we count number of laps in the pool, laps on the track, or floors while stair climbing? [Does anyone out there besides me do actual stair climbing, in a stairwell of a building or slope of a hillside, instead of the machine version?] Who cares about how many intervals, at what pace, HR, wattage, etc.?
Seems to me that there is too much effort placed on keeping focused on & improving "numbers" without being engaged as to enjoying your athletic endeavors for what they are and the resulting improvement that entails.
I no longer employ the company of a HR monitor, power meter, or bike computer. I can't tell you exactly how many miles traveled, at what specific pace, or elevation gained at what peak gradient...but I still get some quality back-to-basics workouts while having a great time.
Speaking of time - think of all the time it takes install the equipment, make sure it sized properly, reading the usage instructions, and the post-workout time spent it takes to analyze your electronic data. And don't even think about the additional stress if/when your batteries quit, oh the humanity!
I had a cycling coach one year not too long ago (when I, incorrectly, thought I needed some good guidance) who asked me what my most important goal was: and I think my answer "to have fun" confounded him. The professional coaching population would cringe to see this - especially those that detail every last waking moment of their athletes particular schedule - but they suck the life out of what's important (but that's a topic for another discussion).
I challenge you to do a set of sit-ups (pull-ups, push-ups, whatever) without counting. The not counting part will probably be harder than the actual exercise. Leave your HR monitor at home, take off that cycling computer - don't be a slave to the numbers & just go outside and have FUN!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
