I found this movie on Krupicka's blog interviewing Geoff Roes for running times and I really enjoyed it. I really like how Roes is more interested in just running in the bush everyday and having an adventure rather than meeting some sort of time or mileage quota. I really can say, as I am sure many trail runners can, that it is this non-competitive connection with nature that really inspires me to run everyday. More important than mileage or distance or anything else for me is just the chance to get outside and run free and explore. It is definitely the journey for me that draws me to long distance trail running not so much the finish line. Props to Joel Wolpert for a job well done!
3 comments:
This was a VERY interesting video. I must say I am wired VERY differently than this guy. I love to run, but I run better and FAR more consistant when I have something to work towards, i.e. a race or whatever. I can see his thought process though after running with you on the trails. It is VERY rewarding just to go run somewhere beautiful, just kind of run when, where, and how long you want is VERY nice, and with the beautiful scenerey, can't really top it.
I can definitely see where you are coming from Tim.
I run best (improve the most and run the fastest) when I am consistent. Consistency for me, outside of running everyday, comes from adhering to some sort of a weekly run-day/rest-day, and distance schedule. By closely following my splits and times I also am able to push and gauge how well I am running and how fast I am improving. So tons of joy comes from running to a tight schedule and being able to quantify my progress and see the results daily.
On occasion when running to an exact schedule I do lose a little bit of the joy of running as it takes on something that feels almost like I have to do it like a job. That is the aspect of keeping to a schedule and set distance I dislike. That is, some days you just aren't up to 15 miles but that is what the schedule says so you do it anyway and you feel miserable the last 10 miles. That can take some of the fun out of it.
On the flip-side there is a huge sense of liberation by just stepping out the door and hitting a trail or road with absolutely no idea of how far or even where exactly you are going. You just wing it, listen to your body and when you see a new road or trail you wonder where it goes so you take it. This is an extremely fun way of running. Every run is an adventure and you never get bored because there is always something new to discover. There is the danger of complacency and taking so much time to smell the roses you don't achieve your personal potential and that to can be difficult and take some fun out of it to not be able to perform to your potential.
To be honest I incorporate both these techniques. In that I have a schedule of days and distances or times I would like to run and then I modify it as I am out on the trails. Sometimes running less and sometimes further. Sometimes I take a new trail or backtrack just for fun because I haven't run that direction in awhile etc. I still try to keep the sense of adventure there while trying to reach certain goals as far as time on my feet each week goes.
I would ultimately like to get to a point like Geoff Roes where it isn't ever a question if I am going to run each day but how much and where. This is where I think his genius lies. He focuses on listening to his body while exploring, pushing himself but most of all just enjoying each run. It does take a certain level of fitness and time to achieve this style of running. I think it would be amazing to be able to go run and feel great so you turn a 1 hour planned run into a half day exploration of a new mountain or ridge. In the end his style of training is out-performing many other stricter or mileage based styles of training over and over and I feel it is making some people question their own techniques and training ideals.
It is an interesting question and ultimately I think the right answer is to train the way that works best for you at that time in your life and most likely it will change depending on the season and future race schedules etc.
I agree with having to mix it up or it does get old, FAST!!! I do also have to admit that sometimes adhering to such a strict schedule does, at times (especially in the cold wintery months) more of a daily chore than an adventure. That I wish I could do without, unfortunately, that is a VERY hard task here during the winter, and training for a marathon. About the only option I have to combat this is changing up the course, or time of day (if possible).
I do also agree with where you said his style of training is CLEARLY doing better than anyone elses. That is a given, I too wish I was there. Though my lifestyle probably prevents me from being able to do this. All in all this was an AWESOME video, and very informative.
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