While not all, many runners are flat with their training. Some are feeling un-motivated. Others are simply going through the motions and finding it challenging to give any grunt to what they are doing. This is completely normal. We are each experiencing an intense amount of stress away from our training that is not normally there. This stress is physically and emotionally draining and thus it affects your training.
At this time I encourage you to simply get out the door. If you planned on completing an intensity set but the love is not there, simply complete an Aerobic – Zone 2 run for the same time period. And don’t beat yourself up over it.
If this still seems like a push, then at a minimum complete a 30-minute Aerobic – Zone 2 Session. What is imperative at this stage is that you keep consistency in your run program and keep some form or run load present. With out this load being present, the training stimulus will disappear and rebuilding to a full training schedule down the track takes much longer.
If you keep your routine present you will find yourself more adaptable to all the change that is happening. While this is the current state of play, this is not the end point.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin
This is exactly where we find our selves now. The change that we have all been thrown into is immense. The faster that we are each able to adapt to this change the easier it will be on us.
Most have now come to terms with the situation. The aim moving forward is to embrace the change rather than fight it. Accept what has happened and most importantly, look to create your new normal.
Each of us will be at different stages with this acceptance but this mindset of accepting the change will set you up well to make this a swift transition and ensure that you make the most productive use of the times we are in.
It is no different for your training. We are fortunate that what we love aids to our health and mental wellbeing and can be undertaken solo or in pairs. While this is the case look to adapt what you do and look to maintain your routine.
Adapt, build your new normal, maintain your routine, survive and thrive so when we again move back to what was our way of life and races are back on, you are leading the pack.
Cheers,
Nick
