Who’s Your Accountabilibuddy?

As we look ahead to winter training, one theme is consistent among all my patients and friends. Everyone is planning to do less running and more lifting.

But just like at the beginning of the spring running season, sometimes the questions isn’t actually what are you gonna do, but are you even going to do it at all?

We’re all thinking about lifting more here in the next few months. But are you actually going to do it?

We all struggle with execution. Especially during the winter months when it’s cold and dark. But there is one ingredient in your winter strength training that is just as important for running as it is for lifting: accountability
Who are you accountable to for your winter strength training?
Allow me to give a very timely example. This Thursday is Thanksgiving, of course.

Who is bringing the potatoes? Who is in charge of the Turkey? Green beans? Stuffing? Corn?

Who is responsible for these things?

If you volunteered to bring one of these items, you’re preparing by going to the store, getting a recipe, and you might even be waking up super early or preparing the night before to make sure you bring the food you said you were going to bring.

That’s accountability.

Saying you’re going to do something, having a social contract with others, which will actually push you to do the thing.

You can apply the same principle to training and exercising.

I’ll meet you at the gym at 6am. I’ll meet you by the lake for a run at 6:30am. Let’s go for a bike ride on Saturday at 7am up to Fort Sheridan.

For my Own the Off Season 2026 program (which is a winter strength training program for male runners), the general structure is a small-group workout setting with a handful of guys who all commit to doing the program.

There’s a small-group workout 1x/week for 10-12 weeks and everyone who signed up is expected to go. It’s not drop in style come when you feel like it. If someone is missing that particular week, everyone notices.

There is upfront commitment and accountability from the group to actually show up, do the lifts, every week, for weeks.

Do you think you’d get stronger if you were involved in such a group?

More details on the program below. But if you or someone you know might be interested in the Own the Off Season 2026 program, reply to this email and I’ll add you to a list of interested guys to find out more solidified details once they become available. No commitment just yet. Only keeping guys in the loop.

As you look ahead to your winter strength training, find someone or a group of people to be accountable to. If you can establish an accountabilibuddy, I promise you’ll do more.

Your best is yet to come!

Dr. Michael

Valiant Physical Therapy
Evanston, Illinois
Physical therapy for Runners | Sports Rehab