Old school vs Modern tech runner. Which are you?

Hot or cold, wet or dry, are you the type of runner that just throws on an old pair of running shorts and top, before heading out the door with no fuss? Your shoes may be worn down and you're developing a few holes in your shorts, but that doesn't bother you, just get the run done. No need for water bottles or nutrition (that's for the weak!), as I'd rather suffer. 

or,

Do you stand there in your expensive clothing, compression socks, and Gore-Tex jacket, while waiting for your GPS to confirm a signal?  Do you fiddle with your phone or iPod to get your playlist set up or maybe check which Strava segments you will target. For longer runs you may be carrying a few gels or even a water bottle or backpack. Actually, today you may take your credit card and buy yourself a treat half way round.

There is no right or wrong way to go for a run. There are pros and cons to each strategy and you will still get the training effect either way. However, different tactics may help some runners more than others. 

I used to be impatient at club nights as runners would spend ages getting ready, chatting and warming up. It will be almost 40min before we started running and I'd think I could have nearly finished my run by now. I just liked to get straight out the door and run. However, there is research supporting a full dynamic warm up before harder sessions to prime the muscles for a better workout. Also, being around other runners has shown to boost testosterone, which improves muscle growth, recovery and performance. So that post training chat can be important. It also helps to get to know fellow runners and become involved in the community. Knowing the goals and performances of your fellow runners can help to inspire and motivate yourself to achieve personal bests.

Old school can be associated with hard work, no nonsense running and simple training methods. Looking back to runners from the 80s and 90s, it is obvious that this worked very well. The depth of fast times back then was far greater than it is now, at a time when there was fewer people in the sport. The question though, is how much faster would they have been if they had used our modern technology?

Technology can help performance in many ways. Improvements in shoes, being the most obvious contributor to recent world records. There is much more information on nutrition, injury prevention and training methods. Training programmes can be instantly downloaded and profiles on Strava can be followed. How you use the information will be the determining factor in to whether it helps or not. For example, Strava can be bad if you are always hunting mileage and comparing to others. Are you scared to run your recovery runs too slowly due to what Strava will show? It can also be a good way of recording runs and comparing what you did for the same session a month ago.

Training programmes you find online may look good and excite you. But is your body able to handle the capacity of the programme? Should you perhaps be doing more recovery, strength training or hill runs. You could use trial and error to work this out, however a better way could be to access one of the many online coaches.

I find some runners will let technology control them, rather than help them. Some will cancel their run if they don't have their GPS watch or iPod. If the run isn't recorded online, it didn't happen! Others can become paralysed by scrolling through recent results and compare themselves to other runners. This may make them become anxious and may lead to overtraining and/or decreased performance. I tend to trust my training and experience. Being a full time athlete can create the expectation to beat other runners with full time jobs. However, if training is correctly periodised, you should be peaking for certain races and can't be your fastest across all distances. For example, I'm in heavy marathon training with the mileage and longer runs that comes with this. Even though I could still run a decent 5km, I would be off my best as I've not been doing as much speed work and haven't worked my fast twitch fibres as much. 

I think the trick is to find a balance between old and new styles of training. Use technology appropriately, but don't get stressed if your watch dies or you forgot your arm warmers. Sometimes you need to stop procrastinating by scrolling online and delaying the run until the evening. Don't overthink it - just lace up and go old school and get out there. The run doesn't have to be perfect, you don't need to hit all those splits, just put your body through the effort. And then you get home and start the recovery with foam rolling, a nutrition shake and compression socks (or Normatecs if you can afford them!). 

Use as many additional small habits and bit of new proven technology as you can to get small gains. However, don't forget the 'big' habit of running hard enough to see adaptation - super compensation is required in order to improve.  

Enjoy your run today and please subscribe to this blog

James