diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 40869a5..645583f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -283,7 +283,9 @@ run_training(
 
 ```
 
-If the machines above have shared storage, users can preprocess the training dataset a single time so that it can then be distributed to each machine with the following update:
+## Example training with separate data pre-processing
+
+If the machines in the example above have shared storage, users can pre-process the training dataset a single time so that it can then be distributed to each machine by making the following updates.
 
 ```python
 from instructlab.training import (
@@ -295,6 +297,25 @@ from instructlab.training import (
     data_process as dp
 )
 
+training_args = TrainingArgs(
+    # define data-specific arguments
+    model_path = "ibm-granite/granite-7b-base",
+    data_path = "path/to/dataset.jsonl",
+    ckpt_output_dir = "data/saved_checkpoints",
+    data_output_dir = "data/outputs",
+
+    # define model-trianing parameters
+    max_seq_len = 4096,
+    max_batch_len = 60000,
+    num_epochs = 10,
+    effective_batch_size = 3840,
+    save_samples = 250000,
+    learning_rate = 2e-6,
+    warmup_steps = 800,
+    is_padding_free = True, # set this to true when using Granite-based models
+    random_seed = 42,
+    process_data = True,
+)
 ...
 
 data_process_args = DataProcessArgs(
@@ -309,6 +330,5 @@ dp.main(data_process_args)
 run_training(
     torch_args=torchrun_args,
     train_args=training_args,
-    process_data = False
 )
 ```
diff --git a/src/instructlab/training/__init__.py b/src/instructlab/training/__init__.py
index 7b4bf5e..a2ed292 100644
--- a/src/instructlab/training/__init__.py
+++ b/src/instructlab/training/__init__.py
@@ -28,13 +28,9 @@
 
 
 # defer import of main_ds
-def run_training(
-    torch_args: TorchrunArgs, train_args: TrainingArgs, process_data: bool = True
-) -> None:
+def run_training(torch_args: TorchrunArgs, train_args: TrainingArgs) -> None:
     """Wrapper around the main training job that calls torchrun."""
     # Local
     from .main_ds import run_training
 
-    return run_training(
-        torch_args=torch_args, train_args=train_args, process_data=process_data
-    )
+    return run_training(torch_args=torch_args, train_args=train_args)
diff --git a/src/instructlab/training/config.py b/src/instructlab/training/config.py
index 03e963f..05fe479 100644
--- a/src/instructlab/training/config.py
+++ b/src/instructlab/training/config.py
@@ -199,3 +199,6 @@ class TrainingArgs(BaseModel):
     # https://github.com/instructlab/training/issues/28
     # quantize_dtype: QuantizeDataType = QuantizeDataType.NONE
     lora: LoraOptions | None = None
+
+    # This field defines whether or not data processing will occur inside of `run_training()`
+    process_data: Optional[bool] = True
diff --git a/src/instructlab/training/main_ds.py b/src/instructlab/training/main_ds.py
index 710fcd5..c5cdb2b 100644
--- a/src/instructlab/training/main_ds.py
+++ b/src/instructlab/training/main_ds.py
@@ -635,9 +635,7 @@ def main(args):
 
 
 # public API
-def run_training(
-    torch_args: TorchrunArgs, train_args: TrainingArgs, process_data: bool = True
-) -> None:
+def run_training(torch_args: TorchrunArgs, train_args: TrainingArgs) -> None:
     """
     Wrapper around the main training job that calls torchrun.
     """
@@ -647,7 +645,7 @@ def run_training(
             f"the `max_batch_len` cannot be less than `max_seq_len`: {train_args.max_batch_len=} < {train_args.max_seq_len=}"
         )
 
-    if process_data:
+    if train_args.process_data:
         dp.main(
             DataProcessArgs(
                 # XXX(osilkin): make a decision here, either: