Pace yourself

This is the third and final episode in the long-distance running series.

As many of you may well know, there are two types of physical exercises : aerobic and anaerobic. When the runner conducts an aerobic exercise, the pace is moderate and the body can endure it for a long time. When the runner conducts an anaerobic exercise, s/he can run much faster, but there are side effects such as lactic acid in the blood stream. Without trying to go for a full metabolic explanation, if there is too much lactic acid above a certain threshold (called the lactate threshold), the body will be forced to a halt after a period of time.

This chart shows how my lactic acid changes while I increase my speed.
Note that in 12Km/h the trajectory starts to sharply incline. This is the threshold

In short runs such as 100 meters there is no problem, the runner sprints and finishes. However, in long distance runs, the runner must plan the run carefully. If the runner runs too slow, s/he loses precious time, and if the runner runs too fast, above the lactate threshold, then s/he will not be able to finish the run.

The tactic for most runners is to learn where their threshold is and run slightly below this threshold most of the run (everyone sprints in the end).

The relevancy for a start-up is pretty straight forward. I saw companies starting too fast with a lot of energy. If they get funding they burn it very fast  and then they may perish. The lucky ones get another round of funding or a bridge loan and ... they burn it again. Saying that, I also saw companies doing the complete opposite, advancing like snails in the grass and never get anywhere.

I admit it is difficult to judge in real-time whether you are slightly slow or slightly fast then the optimal pace. An  athlete can go to a lab and test his lactate threshold. The entrepreneur cannot really measure the optimal pace. However, the entrepreneur can identify the extremes and make sure not to be in either one of them. S/he can make comparisons versus the speed of competitors. S/he can compare product time lines against to other projects, etc.

The company should use its budget wisely and make sure it is advancing. I suggest setting milestones which are not trivial ones (or even better, challenging ones), plan the budget for the long run and not spend it all on the first several milestones since the path is long and bumpy.

If you like more running episodes, do tell.

Feel free to twit me @a_weisen