R and R

 Whenever I hear someone complain about poor athletic performance, somewhere during the conversation I invariably hear “I have to train more (better, harder, longer, etc).  For years, I guess decades, I too thought that I could just “train through” a slump: push harder, beat myself up even more.  After many years of performance ups and downs I now realize that fitness is not simply a matter of training, but also equally a matter of resting and good nutrition.

One thing that constantly bugged me during my Ironman training was that I could bust my butt Monday through Friday and then go out in a long Saturday ride, or a ski tour with a relative couch potato who would either keep up with me easily or, worse yet, lead the charge.  I’d be huffing and puffing and they’d be waiting for me at the top of the hill.  I now see that I was broken down and exhausted while they were rested and ready to go.

Even dopers need rest

 

The problem with hard charging amateur athletes is that we like to train like pros but we don’t eat or rest like pros.  During training pro bikers and pro triathletes sit around a lot, it’s either training or the couch.  Also I’d be willing to bet that there isn’t a pro cyclist/triathlete out there who doesn’t adhere to a thought out, pre-planned nutrition program: no eating from roach coaches or vending machines.

I have a big stage race coming up next weekend, not to mention Leadville in August, but instead of pushing it harder and faster this holiday weekend I’m taking it easy, getting in some light hiking, stretching, resting, recuperating, eating well.  I’ve been training and racing hard for the past twenty four months, and it’s taking its toll.  Time to get some rest.  Let’s see how it works out.