Key to success

The first athlete I ever coached was my close friend Marin. He had a demanding job, and when he wasn’t training or sleeping he would be working. I don’t know how many hours per week that is but it’s a lot. Despite that, he had high sporting ambitions. Typical type A personality, or should I say AAA. 

After doing his first ironman under my guidance the year prior, he was getting ready to tackle Challenge Roth. In the springtime, he told me he has 10 days of unused holiday and what would be a good time to take 2 weeks off from work to do a mini training camp. Instead of taking 2 weeks off, I asked him if it was possible to have 1 day per week off for the next 10 weeks. He managed to sort that out and we used those 10 weeks to add another long ride to his training regimen. 

Three months later we both lined up at Challenge Roth. When I saw him less than 2 minutes behind me 12km into the run I thought to myself that I should have given him a mini training camp instead 😅. He finished the race in an impressive 8:32h. Later that year he placed 5th overall at European Championship in Long Distance Triathlon in Vichy, France. 

Bill Gates once said, “Most people overestimate what they can achieve in a year and underestimate what they can achieve in ten years.” This sentiment rings true in many aspects of life, particularly in endurance sports. While 10 weeks is not long by any means and it played only a small role in his preparation, it still shows the point. We all want to succeed. And not only that but we want to succeed fast. There’s nothing wrong with that. If you can succeed fast, why wait? However, in endurance sports, there are no shortcuts.

It’s crucial to stress the body, allow it to adapt, and then apply slightly more stress in subsequent sessions. Attempting too much too soon can lead to injury and hinder progress. Ten small, consistent training sessions are more valuable than two epic ones.

While this approach may not seem glamorous, it is essential for success in endurance sports. By focusing on consistency and incremental gains, one can achieve what was once deemed impossible. So, remember to have patience and take a long-term view in the pursuit of your endurance goals.