We talk a lot around here about the connection of high intensity training (HIT) to its yang counterpart of rest and recovery. Here is an small article to illustrate. For every high output session we need to take an equal and opposite break to allow the rebuilding process to complete the cycle.
You know and I know the addictive nature of endorphin flow. It's the crack of exercise and training. Have you ever heard yourself think along these lines:
"Well, if swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 and running 13.1 is good, then doing 2.4, 112 and 26.2 must be better." Right?
Sometimes and maybe.
If you do it smart, at a gradual pace and are not swayed by the romance, drama, power and allure of wanting all this NOW. 'Cause you can't have it now. It takes time. Twice as long because of the need for recovery. Sure you can take drugs, EPO, and blood dope to cut the recovery time, but do you really want to sacrifice the long term for instant gratification?
I know it's a tough one, but trust me, when you get to the last third and you still have your knees, liver, lower back, smile and self esteem, the trade out seems like pretty much a no-brainer.
There was a (semi) tongue-in-cheek poll taken a few years back by Triathlete Magazine, if I recall, that asked this single and telling question:
IF THERE WAS A DRUG YOU COULD TAKE TODAY THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO WIN YOUR AGE GROUP IN KONA, BUT WOULD TAKE FIVE YEARS OFF YOUR LIFE, WOULD YOU?
Need I tell you which response was 87%?
So please, folks, let's slow down a touch. Take the time necessary to do it right. Nobody likes to be sick, tired or hurt. And that is what you get when you don't slow down and properly rest and recover. That is why God invented sleep. That is why we do INTERVALS, and that is why we take time to recover after intense sessions, long rides and focused racing.
Another RCVman PSA. You may now resume your normal training activities.
Photo is Coach Rob's beautiful CompuTrainer set up in his studio. When you go, go hard, when you rest, rest well.
2 comments:
Very true indeed. Each HIT day of training requires at least one and maybe two or three days to recover. 2 or 3 days of HIT in a week...rest well indeed.
Coach Rob
coachrob.tv
I think one of my biggest challenges is in wanting to rest ALL the time. I read a piece on the Columbia HTC team this morning that broke down their yearly training. Avg of 5+ saddle hours per day, 275 of 365. WOW. Makes me want to rest just reading about it.
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