Raising the Ceiling

Fitness level is like a ceiling. It must be raised from underneath. I recently read that analogy, and the more I think about it the more it makes sense. If you want to raise something like a ceiling, the easiest method is to get under it and push it up. If you try to get on top the ceiling, you get in your own way. You can try to pull the ceiling up, but the fact that you’re standing on the ceiling while doing so makes the process much more difficult if not impossible. Furthermore, when you’re standing on the ceiling, there’s always the chance that you will break through and come crashing to the ground. In fact, the more work you do while above the ceiling the greater the likelihood that you will indeed eventually come crashing to the ground. Of course, at the same time, you can’t push too hard from the bottom either. If you do, you may poke a hole in the ceiling and be left with damage to repair.

So what does all that mean? Quite simply, when training, you need to do the majority of your work below the ceiling, which is likely your anaerobic threshold in more technical, physiological terms. A little work above that ceiling is certainly required from time to time, but you’re best off staying below it in aerobic territory. The more you build that aerobic base, the higher it pushes the ceiling from below and the more support the ceiling has. Good food for thought, and something I think I’ve been missing for quite a while. Instead of approaching things in this manner, I’ve been attacking the ceiling from every possible angle, and causing all sorts of problems in the process, from minor little holes to complete destruction of the whole structure. I’m now trying to do my work from the ground up, and I’m excited to see how it turns out. Early returns are definitely positive.

Anyway, speaking of raising the ceiling, how about Dathan Ritzenhein!?! This guy has just gone nuts over the past couple months. First there was the 10k PR and 6th place finish at the World Championships. That was followed by the American Record at 5k in 12:56. No there’s this. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I don’t know why someone like Salazar would confirm it in the newspaper if it weren’t. 45:03 for 10 miles in TRAINING?!? To paraphrase Alan Iverson, “we talkin’ ‘bout practice. Not a race. PRACTICE! We talkin’ ‘bout practice!” Then there’s the 9X1600m with 400 recovery at an average of 4:21. That’s possibly even sicker. It’s gonna be real interesting to see what he does in the World Half Marathon Championships next weekend. With the right weather, course, pace, etc., we just might get another American under the one hour mark. Raise that ceiling Ritz! Raise it!