Training Guilt
Do any of these thoughts apply to you?
- A feeling like you should be doing more
- Inability to take a day off
- If you do take a day off from running, you feel guilty about it – no surprises there!
If you’re sitting there nodding your head then you suffer from training guilt.
This is very common amongst ultra runners!
This feeling is borne out of your desire to do everything you can to go well in a race. ‘Leave no stone unturned’ is the ultra runners mindset.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could experience, guilt free days off.
What is incredibly interesting is that runners who work with a coach experience none of the above emotions. Why is that?
Put simply they have a plan.
This means they:
1) Experience guilt free days off!
2) They plan their days off from running meaning they can actively organize non-running activates they will enjoy on these days. This leaves them energized for when they do run.
3) They know they are doing everything they can to improve their running and realize that structured recovery days are an important part of the training cycle.
The other option you can utilise is to put a plan in place yourself. Sit down and structure a training program for yourself. In this include days off and enjoy them. They are a vital part of the training and recovery cycle.
Enjoy the adventure.
Run, smile and have fun!
Nick