Compromise: Friend of Runners
Compromise is generally a good thing right? Compromise helps us work well with others, become less selfish and able to see different perspectives.
But when it comes to training and goal setting, it seems that compromise means giving up, settling, and “not good enough.”
Compromise is given a really bad rap is the running world, but it shouldn’t be this way! Compromise is absolutely necessary in training and when we embrace it, compromise will become our friend and ally on the path to success.
✓ Compromise in Goal Setting
I advise a lot of runners on their goals and race schedules. There are just so many races! Available year round! Some runners want to do them all!
If you love racing every weekend, go for it! But a busy race schedule means less time for focused training. If there is a big goal or specific race you have in mind, you will have to compromise other races and goals along the way to focus on the main goal.
For example, the marathon is a lofty and exciting goal. Many runners find it hard to look away from the marathon or do other events. But because of the physical toll of preparing for a marathon, other activities in life need to be adjusted to allow for more training time rest. If you are in a season of life with work, family, school or health that don’t allow for marathon training in your schedule, it makes sense to compromise on that goal temporarily until you’re in a position to tackle it.
Read more about Choosing the Right Goal and how to decide on appropriate resolutions.
✓ Compromise in Training
Bad workouts, bad days, injuries, work, family, weather, stress, you name it - it affects our training. Anything that isn’t the ideal results in a compromise, so let’s just get comfortable with embracing compromise instead of beating ourselves up over it.
Realizing you might not be able to finish the workout.
We often feel that adjustments to training are missed opportunities, or a step away from what we are trying to achieve. But that’s a lie! Any training you do is a step forward. Perhaps a smaller step forward than originally planned, but it’s still a step in the right direction.
Reject the “all or nothing” mentality. Instead of focusing on what you missed in training, focus on what you actually got done. This positive mindset will propel you forward with hope and optimism as you continue progressing toward your goal.
Read about how you can adjust your training during holidays.
✓ Compromise in Races
Go into races with an A goal, a B goal, and a C goal. As a professional athlete, my A goal was generally to get a PB and depending on the level of race, a win or a podium finish.
The B goal was usually a time/place range for a solid but not great day.
The C goal was a “stop the bleeding” plan in case things went south really fast — goal C was what I aimed to do even if all other goals went out the window.
Pivoting to Goal C
When you’re having a really rough race.
Goals B & C are obviously compromises on plan A, but they provide an opportunity to commit to a plan and still succeed even if Goal A isn’t going to happen. Learning to celebrate even the very small successes will open you up to hope of future success and getting more enjoyment from the process along the way.
Sometimes a compromise in racing means deferring to next year, or switching distances. For example, it can be hard to drop down to a half marathon if all along your goal was the marathon. But in my scenarios, this kind of compromise can be so wise and so helpful.
✘ Compromise in Commitment
Commitment is one area where compromise is not recommended! While it’s important to embrace the give-and-take in choosing goals, training and racing, the worst thing you can do is compromise your commitment to do your best.
If you need to cross train, do it as well as you can.
If you need an extra day of rest don’t fill that time with a bunch of other things — actually rest!
If you need to adjust your training schedule, do it thoughtfully so you can still get in the key workouts.
Compromise is a tool that should support an overall high level of engagement, commitment and effort.
Re-evaluating and pivoting are not the same as giving up. Making adjustments does not mean lack of commitment. By embracing compromise you will become more comfortable with adjustments so you won’t worry about one bad workout, or that week of cross training when you tweaked your hamstring, or that extra day off when your kids got sick. When you learn to let those things slide your running journey will become more fun, more positive, and more successful.
RELATED: Do you need to pivot or re-evaluate on your New Years Resolutions? Read How Not to Fail Your Resolutions.
Nicole Sifuentes is a former professional runner, a 2-time Olympian, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and full-time Running Coach for adults of all ages and abilities. Read more about her services, and schedule your free coaching consultation.