Perspective on Training
As we approach a new year, I wanted to take a moment to touch on an area that has perplexed me for a long while but I never really understood what was happening until recently…Perspective on Training.
Let me see if I can explain:
With our mobile devices, we can now quickly look up an app and see a brief snapshot of information we are after. Information is instantaneous as is our ability to offer a like, comment or swipe. Athletes use the Training Peaks App in a very similar fashion: check your “workout for that day” on that same day, aim to fit it into your day, click on an emoji (in all honesty, gives little value to a coach) then “completed as planned” and boom you are onto the next task of the day. If you have synced your auto-upload than you need not even worry about that feature either. You, the athlete, weren’t even given the chance to have perspective!
While this method of managing your training is seemingly efficient, it is incredibly ineffective for long term gains and perspective on the bigger picture.
100% of the training you are all doing is progressive, meaning one session leads into another, sequenced in such a fashion that your fatigue levels, training load and build has all been accounted for.
If you are still with me on my train of thought, let me offer two suggestions to help you integrate your training into your very full and abundant lives that meets us at a level where your training was planned out (based on your goals, the schedule you provide us with and your current fitness level):
1) Begin to review your week ahead (training, work, family and social) on Sunday evenings from your laptop or computer. Look at all the calendars you manage in BIG format and lay the pieces together. If you have questions about the training sessions sequencing or explanations, ask your questions early vs from the pool deck or mid-ride. Not only does it gives us time to reply properly but it also pulls you through the process methodically.
2) When logging comments about your training, reflect on the context of the session and offer feedback that not only helps us understand how your session was but also helps YOU grow from the training experience. Give color to your training with your words, emotions, sensations, RPE and observations. “Swapped for Thursday” does not count as a training log.
A good blog to refresh up on is: http://brite.coach/new-blog/20162018/043/076/the-training-log-daily-reflections
As much as we love mobile devices to access information on the fly, we love perspective. Use your laptop or desktop view when you can to review your week ahead and reflect back on the amazing training you have done. Perspective is everything.