Training balance key to success

IT all went bye so quickly – the holidays that is. The good thing about this is that there are now far less distractions to our running.

The truth is that life is simply busy and there are occasions when in order to succeed at something a certain amount of selfishness has to creep in and that is not so bad if it is focussed on an event as opposed to an everyday lifestyle.

Training for the Surfers does take time, planning and effort. However, it is not as drastic as some other activities. Planning and compromising will make it all fit into any lifestyle.

Other than the running aspect, working on upper body and strengthening certain muscle groups to manage the beach crossings is ideal.

Often folk will look at a fairly scrawny looking runner and think they lack all round strength but that is not true of the elite athlete and it need not be true of the more casual runner either.

Weight sessions, be they of the manufactured kind or through the use of one’s own body weight, are ideally undertaken two to three times per week.

Many runners dislike these and find them boring, while most gym proponents find that amusing given their possible aversion to running.

Either way, like it or not, a holistic approach to training is essential.

The Surfers’ local ambassador, Hanlie Botha, is an excellent example of this, as are many others.

So over the past weeks a training programme for novices and seasoned athletes alike has been suggested and the feedback has been outstanding.

What is essential is that running should be enjoyed and if the training is one dimensional that is unlikely to happen.

The answer to keeping the mind sharp while running is to spice it up a bit. Within the framework of the programme introduce something different once in a while.

For instance, on a Sunday run, add in a small amount of fartlek with friends. We know these are supposed to be longish, slow aerobic efforts, but there is little wrong with introducing a little niggle over a three kilometre stretch every couple of weeks.

Not too much though. Rather sit back, watch others take the bait and wait your turn to put the knife in on race day.

Every runner has a goal, whether it is to get a placing, beat a friend or rival, or simply to achieve a specific time.

All are noble goals but will only be achieved by focus and dedication to the task over the next five weeks to race day.

Comment is welcomed via bobnorris@