Challenge vs. Recovery

Although my field is exercise physiology I hope to use these posts to comment on the many similarities I've observed between the "smart training" concepts that enhance physical endurance and the broader concept of finishing strong in Life.

In his book Finishing Well Bob Buford interviewed Howard Hendrichs and they discussed what it meant to "finish well". Dr. Hendrichs commented that finishing well is described in the writings of Paul in the Epistles. He wrote, "Paul says you cross the finish line running and not staggering."

In that light I believe the key to finishing strong at health and fitness is to try and apply a measured dose of challenge integrated well with a healthy dose of regeneration. To train hard is occasionally necessary in order to improve. At the same time, there has to be time to regenerate during the struggle, or the stress may be too much. There is a thin red line between enough and too much exercise and that amount is specific to each person and should be thought of with a strong finish in mind.