Are you trying to be on your ‘A Game’ 365 days a year?
It simply can’t happen! If you are trying to be on your ‘A Game’ year round you are on a rapid path to ‘Runner Burnout’ and killing the enjoyment you have when running.
Ultra runners often get caught tackling the same runs week in week out! They run the same easy run, same hard sets and same run load every week! This quickly leads to stagnation and a plateau in performance.
This can be easily avoided if you use periodization (the long term structure of a training plan) to your advantage.
Using such an approach is beneficial because it ensures that for periods around key events you are in peak physical and mental condition. This means that you race fast when it matters! Periodization also ensures that there are periods of rest, recovery and renewal. This allows you to mentally and physically recharge at appropriate times ready for focused training and big events in the future.
While it is beneficial to run year round, what you are developing, the focus of your run sets and the structure within the sets needs to change and become more specific as your event(s) approaches.
The three take always,
- Vary what you are doing throughout the year.
- As your event approaches gradually increase the specifics of your program (type or run sets and run load) so you can achieve a personal best performance.
- Include a period of rest and recovery following key races. This allows you to come back fitter and faster in the long term.
Enjoy the adventure.
Run, smile and have fun!
Nick