Run S.M.A.R.T.
Menu
Login
  • Custom Training Plans
  • Private Coaching
  • Dr. Jack Daniels
  • Running Calculator
  • Coaching Staff
  • News & Updates
  • Contact Us

Interview With Run S.M.A.R.T. Coach Blake Boldon

March 12, 2009 By Run S.M.A.R.T. In Interviews, Run SMART coach /  2

Blake Boldon is currently training in Colorado Springs, CO and racing professionally across the country. Recently, he joined The Run S.M.A.R.T. Project Coaching Staff bringing a broad range of coaching and personal experience to the table. We got a chance the other day to ask him a few questions and gain some insight as to how he juggles both roles.

Run SMART: Two weeks ago you finished 6th in the 3k at the U.S. Indoor Championships up in Boston, MA. What was your approach mentally going in and were you satisfied with the result? Also, how does this race fit into your gameplan for the year?

Blake Boldon: It was my first 3k since last year’s championships and it was my first time on a 200 meter track since that race too.  Going in I knew that I wasn’t as race sharp as some other guys might be but I’ve put in a huge block of quality training and I know my fitness is good. Two years ago I was 4th in the same race so I wanted to improve on that finish and be in the top 3 but placing isn’t something that you can always control.  I probably should have done some more mental preparation to visualize myself finishing at the top of the field because in looking back I don’t feel I finished 6th as a result of fitness.  Instead, I feel like with better tactics I could have been in the mix.  Although I’m not happy with the finish, I’m not disappointed either.  It was my first race at this distance in a long time and it’s a good indicator of my fitness and preparation for the outdoor season.  Right now I’m going to focus on training for 3 to 4 weeks and really prepare for a couple of big races on the track in April and May.  All in all, I’m right where I want to be.

Run SMART: You just moved out to Colorado and are now working with a new coach. How has your training changed from the past and what part of your new system do you like best?

Blake Boldon: There aren’t a lot of dramatic changes but Coach Simmons has simplified my workouts.  Last year I was doing a lot of effort based runs and fartleks but now I aim to quantify everything in terms of mileage and pace.  There isn’t a magical formula but the entire system is science based, straight-forward and directly related to the race goals that we have set for the season.  What I like best about the training is that the workouts are hard and I feel the race in the workout.  For a few years I trained hard and ran a lot of mileage but the plan was lacking the hard workouts to physically and mentally prepare me for the effort of racing.  After a couple of the hard sessions I’ve done under Coach Simmons, I know that I will never have to hurt that much to race well so the benefit is far more than physiological.

Run SMART: You recently joined the Run S.M.A.R.T. Project bringing a pretty nice mix of coaching experience to the table, working privately with runners and coaching on the high school and university level. Generally, what’s your guiding philosophy when approaching an athlete and what misconceptions or mistakes do you find most common when working with runners?

Blake Boldon: The guiding principle behind my training philosophy is the importance of individualization.  Every single athlete is different in so many ways that it’s hard to know where to start.  From the variances in adaptability to the differences in life stresses, we each face an individual journey in the sport.  That’s what makes it so important to take the athlete’s daily progress into account when developing training.  I think the most common misconception that runners have is that there is some magical, secret to success.  The only “secret” to training is taught in every introductory physiology class and most health classes – the SAID principle.  It’s an acronym for Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands and basically means that your training has to be tailored reach your specific goals and meet your individual needs.  That’s part of the reason that I’m so excited about the Run S.M.A.R.T. Project.  Rather than selling generic pre-fabricated plans, the coaches here work to know each client and go on the journey together.  The most common mistake that runners make is running too much.  I agree that in many cases, the more you run, the fitter you will be but that is a gross over simplification.  It’s important to run a volume that you can handle and realize that the balance of quantity, quality and recovery is frequently the determining factor, not just weekly mileage.

Interview conducted by Run S.M.A.R.T. Founder, Brian Rosetti

Tags:
Blake BoldonBrian Rosetti
Running Goals and How to Get There
Coach Jack Daniels On The Importance of Setting Goals

Archives

  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • November 2007

Meta

  • Log in
All rights reserved.