General Discussion Triathlon Talk » No pain, no gain? Rss Feed  
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2009-10-27 10:56 PM

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Subject: No pain, no gain?

We've all heard the mantra, "No pain, no gain."

I think I've heard rebuttal of this mantra by coaches in books, lectures, magazines in a ratio of 1000:1. It's seems really unfashionable to say you agree with this unless you're a pro level athlete nowadays.

What's your take on the "no pain no gain?" mantra? Applies to you or not?



2009-10-27 11:03 PM
in reply to: #2483173

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
If youre not sore are you really pushing it?? Thats why they made foam rollers and ice packs!
2009-10-27 11:53 PM
in reply to: #2483173

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Coach
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
Is this a rhetorical question?
2009-10-28 12:03 AM
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
i have absolutely no idea what to say to this
2009-10-28 12:20 AM
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
Personally, I feel that the 'no pain, no gain' idea is in the same vein as HTFU.  Its just the idea that you should push your limits to improve yourself, even if it isn't the most enjoyable experience at the time.  However, any unusual pains/aches/swelling/etc that aren't normal don't fall into this category to me.  There is a difference between HTFU/no pain, no gain and overtraining yourself into a serious injury.

Just my opinion.
2009-10-28 1:33 AM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
Like so many of these questions, it really comes down to how you define "pain" in answering the question.  For some people, the OMGZ-I'm-gonna-puke feeling of a 20-to-30 minute threshold run or a hard interval session is "pain"; other people may reserve the term for what you feel when you're actually injured.  Then there's the discomfort I was feeling in my quads on Monday morning after Sunday's 15-miler.  The first "pain" is productive; the second isn't.  I'd like to think there wouldn't be too much disagreement about the third scenario, but maybe I'm wrong.


2009-10-28 1:35 AM
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
Do 7.5km of swim speed sets, then ask me if no pain no gain is good for you.

Sometimes, maybe once a week in each sport. If you bust yourself every training it's just stupid.  
2009-10-28 5:29 AM
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Pro
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
I think pain from overtraining is bad for you, but pain as in stiff legs, general soreness from a good training session is very good for you...

Pain just to prove that we're training is probably a pretty dumb idea.
2009-10-28 6:50 AM
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?

It's a pain to get out of a warm bed at 0530 hrs to go get into a cold pool and swim laps.

Other than that, no it doesn't have to hurt.  I've posted a few times my opinion that running 'gets easier' and get a lot of push back from people saying I'm not trying hard enough and that it should never get 'easy'.  Maybe I don't push myself hard enought but I enjoy swimming, biking and running more than anyone I know and have been doing this for 12 years so maybe not puhing too hard has some benefit for longevity sake.

~Mike

 

2009-10-28 7:07 AM
in reply to: #2483317

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Runner
Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?

Rogillio - 2009-10-28 7:50 AM

I've posted a few times my opinion that running 'gets easier' and get a lot of push back from people saying I'm not trying hard enough and that it should never get 'easy'.

I agree with you, and disagree with the notion that it shouldn't get easier.  It should definitely get easier.  In fact, most of the time it should be comfortable.  Not all the time, there's definitley a place for pushing yourself.  But most of the time it should be nice and comfortable.

If anyone tells you you aren't trying hard enough, tell them you're just focused on proper training.

2009-10-28 12:14 PM
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
As others have said: definition of the word "pain" is what's most important here.

no pain, no gain is great if your definition is that burning muscle/lung fatigue you get after a hard workout.

no pain, no gain is the worst mantra if your definition of pain is that sharp pain in your knee/elbow/back/ankle that keeps getting worse.

It wasn't until recently that I found out people actually use this phrase in reference to the latter.  So make sure you find out what people mean when they use this phrase. 


2009-10-28 12:27 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
When I played Football, my coach always said this and it's stuck with me.

"We play hurt because we're strong, we don't play injured because we aren't stupid."
2009-10-28 1:10 PM
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Veteran
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Simsbury, CT
Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
Leegoocrap - 2009-10-28 1:27 PM When I played Football, my coach always said this and it's stuck with me.

"We play hurt because we're strong, we don't play injured because we aren't stupid."

Always love that saying!! Whatever version it is, playing hurt and injured are 2 totally different things! HTFU through being or hurt or having pain and rest when you are injured or your body has shut off!

2009-10-28 4:59 PM
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2009-10-28 5:22 PM
in reply to: #2483173

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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
Depends what kind of pain.

Soreness/Stiffness?  Get over it.
Pain from muscle tears, pulls, and swelling?  Yeah, you need to ease up.
2009-10-28 6:17 PM
in reply to: #2483173

Colorado
Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
Well, IMO, you certainly want to stress yourself some, especially in the build phase of your training. But I think you have to listen to your body so that you don't overdo it. Training so hard in one individual workout that you can't put in any quality workouts for another week isn't helping, IMO. Training hard enough to see some gains but still be able to get in another good workout in 2-3 days is what you're after, I would say.

Then, of course, there's a difference between trying to push through fatigue vs. an actual strain or other injury. If you're feeling the latter, absolutely don't try to push through it, I would say. Any possible gains you could get by finishing that one individual workout are far, far, far outweighed by the losses if you injure yourself such that your unable to train for a number of days or weeks.

Consistency is where you see the greatest long-term gains, IMO, and that requires that you stay healthy.


2009-10-28 6:38 PM
in reply to: #2483173

Expert
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?
well I guess it sort of applies to me because:

No brain, No pain

I am not sure if I actually gain anything though.
2009-10-28 6:58 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: No pain, no gain?

I am believer in "No pain, no gain." Maybe I am old school but to me it’s just pushing yourself hard and not giving up. 

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