What I've learned from having a coach
+ What does the build to Canyon's look like
Thank You Coach,
I’ve been coached by Coach Robbie Britton for what is coming up to a year now. I met Robbie when he flew out to Boulder last year, to oversee the last few weeks of training for Western States. I was coach-less at the time but was working away with my mate Hayden Hawks who was coached by Robbie.
Hayden had good things to say about Robbie and it was clear that there was a lot of respect there. Hayden described their coaching relationship as a collaboration of ideas. Plans around training were discussed and decided together. It seemed to be working. So with no set plan for myself, I followed along with what Hayden was doing and then added little tweaks to what I felt was necessary for me. Maybe a double day here or slightly less intensity there.
Taking the plunge
Being that I was already scrounging off Hayden’s program and getting along well with Robbie, my next step was to drop some not-too-subtle hints about trying to get him to coach me.
It worked, the schmoozing paid off, and here we are.
I am currently sitting on a plane writing this article on the way to a four-day hunting mission down in Te Anau. An absolute bucket list trip for me. It’s also only three weeks before Canyons 50km and here I’ve asked Coach Robbie to develop a build that is going to get me to Canyons start line in solid shape for a good race. Where I can then launch into Western States training. I mean, is that too much to ask? Even if Robbie isn’t a hunter himself I have described that the type of fitness you gain from this kind of excursion is strength at a low continuous intensity. Essentially a long trek with, fingers crossed, an incredibly heavy pack by the last day.
I have full faith in the man. He didn’t shy away when I mentioned I had six guided Goat Pass trips with team Topsport leading into Tarawera 102km to start the year, or when I said I wanted to attempt the UTMB 100 mile double after Western States last year.
Now I know if my training and racing suggestions were too out the gate he would voice concerns. I respect that, and his opinion. But as an athlete and hobbyist I really appreciate the effort he puts in to accommodate this unique build of training.
So how are we doing it this time round?
Yes Canyons 50km is a big event and one I want to do well in. But the big goal is Western States. It was important that post-Tarawera I gave my body and mind enough time to recover. Since then we’ve focused on speed endurance with shorter distance intervals and a longer run with longer intervals placed at the back end. In recent weeks, this has been three workouts per week. This is high-quality mileage with big aerobic work around it. The body is certainly feeling it, especially this week which we have front-loaded in anticipation of the hunting trip. I am stoked to have pulled this off. There are days of fatigue but my body is still in check.
The upcoming days in the hills will act as active recovery. I may even take my running shoes to see if I can sneak in a few sharper hill efforts while I’m up there. The remaining two and a half weeks in civilisation will be a matter of making sure the hunt wasn’t more taxing than I thought. A few sharpening sessions to round out the block. Then make sure I’m in a good healthy state travel to the States and Canyons race day.
Imagine trying to work this plan out by yourself. Yes it can be done, but you gain a lot of confidence from having someone you trust, with expertise, to formulate or even run their eyes over the plan. So cheers Robbie and hopefully this article acts as reassurance to all those athletes who thought they were difficult, but are probably saints compared to me :)
As I head over to race Canyon’s and Western States, I’d like to take this moment to thank everyone from the Lessons from the Long Run for your support. The messages I’ve received and the support from the Paid Subs, actually means I can continue to pursue my dreams. So once again thanks! I’m pumped to get into some more racing against the best of the best.