Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Maintaining (by Adam Nicklin)
Hi All!
One week after our teammates ran a marathon in way too hot conditions, it is now objectively cold out. Life isn’t fair! Can we please always just train hot, race cold. Also, don’t forget to wear your lights out there. Cars do not expect pedestrians to be moving at the speeds we move. Just a public service announcement. And today we have a guest essay by Adam – thank-you!
“Maintaining” – by Adam Nicklin
‘Training Status: Maintaining’
Anyone who uses a Garmin watch may have come across this unsolicited, vaguely annoying message. Funny how an algorithm driven prompt can feel like a thinly veiled slight. I’ve seen this a lot recently as I approach the second anniversary of my last running race. Evidently, Garmin thinks I’ve thrown in the towel. Or do they?
Of late, I’ve been in a ‘do what you can, when you can’ frame of mind. It’s just what I have room for. No grand plan, no schedule. But I didn’t stop running altogether – I go with Karen for company on the weekend, and on Wednesdays when possible. I kept going on the bike too; mostly with Seb on the trails plus a weekly long ride or some hills if I can. So, returning to LES Wednesdays last week after a six-week hiatus, I expected to be mildly disappointed. But to my surprise, everything felt great. Pottery Hill repeats, then 5 (not the usual 4) minute tempo. I checked the times – not bad. A rounding error off pace, in the grand scheme of things.
What I take from this is that consistency counts. Endurance pace social runs count. Bicycle commuting counts. Those little pushes on the cross bike to get over some nasty roots in the Don? They count too, apparently. It’s ok that they are fun, they still play a role. Maintaining isn’t defined by the absence of improvement. That ‘fitness chasm’ we fear isn’t found between maintaining and progressing; it’s the difference between maintaining and declining. A ‘maintained’ level of fitness may not keep you race sharp, but you’re ready to be. Then when you’re ready, the right kind of work will get you there.
On to tomorrow’s workout – Lakeshore and Leslie – 6:05 Drills, 6:15 GO!
Along the theme of Adam’s essay, I feel like we could do something a little lighter this week. Most people are done their big key races, and we can do something not super hard to maintain and stay in it. Let’s do:
1 mile tempo – can be more like MP if batteries are low
3 min rest
5 x 300m at choice pace – can be tempo with 1 min rest (I believe 300m is to the last pillar)
3 min rest
5 x 300 m at choice
People racing the Beav trail race, just do one set of 300’s.
Don’t worry – a less intense, less volume workout will not decrease fitness, in fact it might even give you a little bump. Listen to Adam – he’s wise!
That is all – see you in the am!
xo
Seanna