Some thoughts on my intensity

Apparently, I've gained a bit of a reputation as being a little "intense"...and maybe my intensity is too much to handle at times, that it might not translate in my approach to coaching and training. I think about it a lot, what it means, my particular "brand" of intensity.

Intense - strenuous or earnest, as activity, exertion, diligence, or thought

The following is a portion of an email conversation I recently had with one of my clients, an AE Collective member. I hope it sheds some light onto my intensity, as it relates to coaching and training...


"If you're going through a bit of what I am (and it sounds like you are), you're getting a bit tired.  A good thing...you're working hard, likely harder at this time of the year than you have in quite some time (maybe ever?). Other than the running difficulty, is there anything else going on that's different or difficult? How are you eating? Sleeping? Are you irritable? Moody? How are you recovering? Are your muscles sore for more than 2 days after a harder session?

How are you taking care of yourself in the 30-45 minutes IMMEDIATELY after the work? Are you getting protein? Quality carbohydrates? Hydration? I can't stress enough how all of these things factor into adequate and efficient recovery.  Particularly now that we're adding resistance work. The resistance is adding a new stimulus and forcing a new adaptation.

View it like a giant chain.  The treadmill is a link. So is the bike. The squats are a link. The pushups. Sleep. Food. Water. The job. Your family. Some links are bigger than others. Some must necessarily be stronger than others to move forward. If one link is a bit weaker and the stresses continue or increase, the chain can start to break down. The running is an apparent weak link. But it simply might be at the end of a section that's a bit weaker.  We will focus on this in 2 ways. We'll shorten that run a bit, make it a tad slower for now.  But our bigger focus will be on all of the links in the chain. And don't be too discouraged. Treadmills are machines, they're subject to their own inputs and calibrations. They're close, but not all together real.

I encourage you to try and stick to the work prescribed. I know you want to work harder. We all do. But it rarely has the desired consequences. Most of the time, LESS IS MORE. Hard work doesn't necessarily mean more work.

It all starts to add up...and break us down. You're not the only one. It might not seem like a lot of work or a big deal. But it's cumulative. Do NOT be discouraged. This "problem" is easily solved. You are getting faster and stronger. As long as you are RECOVERING. Try to reign it in a bit, just a little bit at a time.  You are crushing it, working hard. It's freakin' awesome. I'm trying to imagine what it must look like compared to everyone else you're working with.

I can set you off on a 5 mile run tomorrow...or I can tell you to take a rest day. Enjoy your day with your family and friends in the snow. Drink Hot Chocolate and water and have fun. And then we'll get Sunday straightened out. Let me know what you think"


Intensity isn't always in your face. It's not always pushing harder. It's not always bigger, better, faster, more. But for me, it is always honest, earnest and thoughtful. Allez

Let's talk...and be HONEST

It's time to talk. I'm a talker. I think communication is critical in a relationship, and this is a relationship, without a doubt. From the moment we get started, I expect you to talk to me. To tell me how you're feeling, where you're at, where you've been. To tell me your doubts, your strengths and weaknesses. It's time to be HONEST. And this is where it gets HARD. Because I'm learning that it's a lot easier to be dishonest than it is to accept and tell the truth. Here's my truth:

For the past 15 years, I've been participating in endurance "events". Not everything is a race. I've climbed throughout North America. I've climbed in Alaska, GUIDED by one of the best (honesty, you see), but it was still Alaska and it wasn't easy. I've soloed moderate (Grade 4) ice routes in New England. Nothing too bold by elite standards.  A walk up for many. But a mistake, a fall, likely would have had serious consequences and I understood the risks involved. I've been a participant in a few 100 Mile Mountain Bike races.  Never a threat to stand on the podium when I was "racing" in them 10 years ago, I wasn't embarrasing myself, either...or at least that's what I was telling myself. I look back now and I realize I was framing my truth, painting a bigger, bolder picture, when in fact it was barely a thumbnail. I cracked the door to those worlds 10 years ago, and then closed it, locked it up and nearly threw away the key when the "real world" beckoned.

My real world came first in the form of a "real" job. I won't bore you with the details.  It's been a good job.  Stressful, exciting, with it's fair share of success and recognition. I met my future wife a few years after I entered the real world.  It was one of those things where I just knew.  It was easy. She is wonderful. We have two children now. We are getting older. And for a myriad of reasons, I found the keys to the door and I've decided to open it wide.

Here's my truth now. I've learned a lot. I recognize I have a lot to learn. I'm in better shape now than I've ever been. I realize I can be a lot stronger. I know what it's like to have a "real job", a family that depends on you. I know what it's like to suffer heartbreaking loss and have it change you, to reshape your perspective on what's important. I know my limits and what I must do to expand them or overcome them. And I'm confident I can find a way to make you stronger and better. But you MUST BE HONEST with me, and more importantly, YOURSELF.

Set a Goal

Setting a goal is the easy part. What do you want to do? Run a 5K? Run it faster? Lose some weight? How much? Ride a century? In under 6 hours? Qualify for Kona? Boston? It's easy to find something to strive for. It's even easier to tell everyone about it. Spend more than 15 minutes on Facebook or Twitter (and you do, almost all of you do) and you're guaranteed to find someone's latest declaration of intent. I'm right there with 'em. Hell, I'm writing this blog to talk about Allez Endurance. So you've got a goal, and you've got some tools to get you there, or maybe you're starting from scratch.  And you think it might be a good idea to find a coach or trainer, someone who can lay it out for you and get you there. And maybe you find me. And so it begins...