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RKC School of Strength

Official blog of the RKC

RKC School of Strength

The Purpose Can Change, But The RKC Principles Remain

January 21, 2015 By Aaron Pierson 6 Comments

Aaron Pierson RKC running
RKC Team Leader, Aaron Pierson running the Bear Chase 50. Photo by the Running Guru

What does the RKC mean to you in 2015? For me it’s a new chapter. A new year is often followed by new goals. Looking ahead to 2015 I have set some pretty lofty goals which will redefine what the RKC means to me. When I was first introduced to the RKC in 2009 I was misguided into believing that strength was the only thing that matters. I was told the only way to get stronger was to stop running. At the time I was running 60-80 miles a week and looking to pass the RKC weekend. I was extremely fit but struggled to meet the strength requirements necessary. When I was told running was the one thing holding me back, I took it to heart. I eliminated the one thing I knew I could do well and began to focus solely on getting strong.  In 6 months I went from 153 pounds at my HKC to 163 pounds at my RKC and I got strong.

The next couple years following my RKC, I continued to focus on strength.  The desire to run still existed but was held back by the idea that running was bad. I went on to compete in two power lifting meets in 2013. By January of 2014 I decided it was time for a change. Focusing strictly on strength had left me tight and “out of shape”. I was heavier than I had been in years and felt terrible. Running was back on the table.

In August of 2014 I competed in my first 50 mile ultra marathon. Running has always come naturally to me and I am good at it. It was an easy decision, by that point, when it came to spending an hour in the gym or 2 hours running the mountain trails of Colorado. I was finally finding my true self again.

No matter what goal I chose to go after, the RKC was with me the entire time. From power lifting to ultra running the skills we teach at the RKC have a place. I have big plans to compete in more ultra’s, including the Leadville 100 (provided I get in) this year. Although strength will not be the primary focus of 2015, strength training will still play a major role. Without it the risk of injury increases.

The first kettlebell skills we teach during the RKC weekend are the deadlift and swing. They are probably the most important set of skills we learn. The deadlift teaches the basic hinge pattern, builds strength and grooves our swing. The kettlebell swing builds general conditioning and is the foundation for everything we do.

The purpose behind each skill may have changed but the RKC principles remain. Now, instead of using the two leg deadlift to build raw strength, the single leg deadlift is used to improve stability and reduce the injury risk. When running 80 to 100 miles a week, swings for general conditioning are no longer necessary. Instead the swing is used maintain a strong back and CORE which is essential for running ultras.

The RKC is a “School of Strength”. We teach strength as a skill which anybody can learn. This does not mean we are a “School of Strength Alone”. Being strong is not always about moving more weight. It’s being strong enough to perform the task at hand. The RKC provides the skill and the tools to be strong. It’s up to you to choose your path and determine what being strong means. So, I ask once again. What does the RKC mean to you in 2015?

***
About Aaron Pierson RKC Team Leader: Aaron has been apart of the RKC since 2010. He currently works full time as an EMT and owns Fundamental Strength in Fort Collins, Colorado. He can be reached at aaron@fundamentalstrengthllc.com or by visiting www.fundamentalstrengthllc.com

Filed Under: Coaching, Motivation Tagged With: Aaron Pierson, endurance athletes, goals, RKC Principles, RKC School of Strength, running, running and kettlebells, training principles, Ultra marathon

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Dragon Door Publications / The author(s) and publisher of this material are not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may occur through following the instructions or opinions contained in this material. The activities, physical and otherwise, described herein for informational purposes only, may be too strenuous or dangerous for some people, and the reader(s) should consult a physician before engaging in them.