Sometimes enough is too much. Among the many ways to group triathletes, I see 2 distinct training theories. There is one group that has a plan and by god they are going to follow it. Another group trains based upon . . . well, I'm not sure what their training is based upon - the weather? what their buddy is doing? I'm speaking to the first group - those with the plan.
Having a training plan and following it is a great idea. Except when it isn't. Some triathletes will ignore all kinds of warning signs just to follow the plan. I give you an example near and dear to my heart - ME. Last year I was training for my first Ironman at Coeur D'Alene. I had my plan and I was going to follow it. An improper bike fit manifested itself in knee pain on the bike after a preparatory half iron race. The knee had bothered me a bit leading up to the race but I ignored it to follow the plan. I ended up in physical therapy and taking 3 weeks off the bike right at the peak of my training. Oops.
This year I'm training for Ironman Wisconsin. I'm taking a radically different approach. A lot of people training for Ironman races wander around like zombies most of the time. They still have work and family obligations and training eats into their sleep schedule.
A couple of weeks ago I hit a wall. I had 3 lousy nights of interrupted sleep (one downside of being married to a physician who delivers babies). I was up early training each morning. Saturday I had a long run. Sunday my son had an early morning hockey game and the schedule called for a 3 hour brick (2 hour bike followed by an immediate 1 hour run). When I got back from the hockey game all I wanted to do was go back to sleep. My body was fighting the plan. Last year I would have dragged myself out to the garage and started on the bike. This year I listened to my body and slept for 2 hours. I woke up refreshed and spent the rest of the day with the family.
I don't doubt that if I had followed the plan and done that brick I would have gotten very little out of the workout and most likely would have ended up getting sick.
Overwhelming fatigue is not the only warning sign that the plan needs modification. Other signs include:
irritability (more than usual), depression, heavy limbs, changes in sleep patterns and appetite. When I find myself having less patience with the kids I know I need a break (maybe from them, but more likely from training).
It's still important to train and to train hard. Knowing when to take a break requires paying attention to the body's check engine lights.
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