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Q&A: Will You Burn Out Before Your Big Race?
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Q: I train very hard in the spring and summer by cycling mostly on the road, but I seem to peak in mid-July, and then by mid-August, it seems my aerobic capacity simply drops off. I suddenly struggle to keep up with my cycling groups and I tire easily. It’s happened 3 seasons in a row. What's going on and how can I prevent this next year?
A: Cyclists and runners tend to train only aerobically and only focus on their sport, but by training other energy systems, you can actually improve your aerobic fitness. Mix up your program with weight training, swimming and other endurance activities.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a solid nutrition plan, massage, and sleep, either. Think of them as recovery tools—they all factor in to help your body bounce back from your intense training sessions.
Finally, decide when it’s most important to peak, and plan your training around those dates. If you try training hard all summer, you’ll end up overtraining and burning out again. Just identify your most important races and schedule your training to peak for those events.
About The Author
Sue Falsone – As the Vice President of Performance Physical Therapy and Team Sports, Sue Falsone provides the critical link between therapy and performance. She develops and implements therapy regimens for athletes at Athletes' Performance.
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