The Custom Coach Speaks

Being a triathlon coach does not prevent me from becoming sluggish or unmotivated. I am like everyone else struggling to get out the door on cold days and dark evenings. Even the most dedicated athletes have let downs after the competition is over. Olympians are acutely aware of this phenomena and refer to it as post competition depression.

As we train through out the year our bodies go through many changes, we lay on more muscle and increase our endurance. In order for these fitness changes to take place, our training must trigger greater hormone production. By the end of the year if we have planned it properly we are at a physical peak. The only problem with that is…we only have one direction to go and that’s down!

It is important to rest after a hard race and or season. Vigorous training can build up deep fatigue and leave us at risk for over training and injury. While resting our brain slows hormone production and thus slows our metabolism stealing motivation and forcing us into a state of chemical educed hibernation.

So how can we combat this? Train…not at peak volume but at at an amount appropriate for the current conditions. I set a goal to put in 3 weeks of consistent training. By the end of this 3 week period things usually start looking up. My energy increases my motivation returns and my metabolism increases.

This is how I do it. December 50% of peak volume, January 60%, and February 70% (most of this work is completed at modest intensity). In March it’s game on, I transition into a full triathlon training schedule.

Fortunately being a Triathlon Coach in NC, allows me to train year round.

NOW GO TRAIN!