Training: The Basics VIII

{First a note:  I said yesterday that I’d post results of my rainy day commute.  Well, it was a washout.  For the full story, see this coming Friday’s post.}

This series has been about the fundamentals of training.  We’ve used as a test the “commandments” of training.  Here they are again for review.

10 Commandments of Training

I)              Train MODERATELY

II)            Train CONSISTENTLY

III)          Get ADEQUATE REST

IV)          Train with a PLAN

V)            Train with groups INFREQUENTLY

VI)          Plan to PEAK

VII)        Improve weaknesses

VIII)      TRUST your TRAINING

IX)          LISTEN to your body

X)            COMMIT to your GOALS

(If you are coming in late to the discussion, this series has been running on Wednesdays since back in August.)

Today, we’ll discuss the last two “commandments.”

IX)  LISTEN to your body.

Sounds like pointless advice, doesn’t it?  As you read it, you think, “But of course!  I always listen.  If something is wrong, I can tell.”  Uh huh.

In truth athletic cyclists and runners are notorious for “living in denial.”  A powerful combination of high levels of motivation, ego, and commitment can lure us into this.  Consider this little list:

“It will get better.”

“I can train through this.”

“I just need a little rest.”

“I’m a little off, I need to train harder.”
“But I have that big event coming up.  I can’t take time off now!”

“Sure, I’m a little slow, but I just need to train harder.”

If you’ve had thoughts like those, this discussion is aimed right at you.  Here’s a link back to the post of 31 August

http://audaxriders.blogspot.com/2011/08/training-basics-ii.html

Among other things, that post had a couple of lists of symptoms.  Go back and read those symptoms.  Become familiar with them.  They are ways in which your body tries to tell you to ease up!  Heed those warnings!

Sometimes, a misplaced sense of urgency, or ego will lead us astray.  Our bodies signal us when we are overloading them.  The old adages,  “Tear it down to build it up,” and “No pain no gain,” only have a minimal amount of truth to them.  If we are not careful, we begin to accumulate fatigue, beyond the body’s ability to repair and adapt.  At this point further “training” becomes counter-fitness.

The last of the “commandments” is almost a contradiction to number IX.  Number X is: COMMIT to your GOALS.

Notice that the word “Goals” is all capitols.  The commitment referred to here is one of a long term nature.  Early in your training process, before the actual physical work begins, you determine what your goals will be.  Remember, a Goal is a dream with a deadline.

You pick the event or achievement, and set the future date of its realization.  Then you make a firm, unshakeable commitment to it.  That’s tough.  Committing to goals says that you will do whatever it takes to reach them.  You will train in the rain.  You will deal with the inevitable scheduling pressures.  You will get adequate rest.  You will not take an evening off to watch that (rather dumb) TV show.  You will be totally consistent in the doing the work toward your goal.

Does all this mean that you must be super-human?  That you must never vary from a training plan?  No.  Of course not.  But it means that you will tolerate only the absolute, unavoidable minimum digression from routine.  Your training partners or your coach will never wonder what you are doing.  You will get it done, on time, every time. 

All that requires planning and dedication.  If you are not willing to devote that much time to your goal, then you are not serious about reaching it.  So be sure the goal is something you really and truly want to do, and be sure it is something that you will enjoy.  Then, hang pictures.  Write it down.  Keep it in front of you at all times.

Good luck!