Whether your struggle is real or not, isn’t up for debate. We’re all going to struggle at some point during training.
It’s not really a matter of if, but when, especially as working, parenting, living, runners.
It might be a case of sleepless nights with a sick kiddo, or maybe it’s a hard workout following a long run. Throw in whatever curveball life is going to throw at you, and that’s what you’re dealt. We are going to ride that struggle bus, and we’re gonna ride it straight out of town.
The question is, how are you going to navigate that thin line between getting really fit and doing too much and breaking down?
What Struggle Are You Struggling With?
You might have a mild case of the struggles caused by a few runs being a bit too fast. You’re a little tired, and by the end of the week, you have to cut a run short. It’s not a big deal, but your body sent out the warning. Did you listen, or are you blowing right through the signal?
A mid-season struggle might be as simple as missing a day of running because you snoozed through an early alarm, but it could be as big as getting the flu or Covid, or worse, getting injured. While I’d certainly prefer missing one run over missing a lot of runs, neither is ideal.
It’s the cards we were dealt, and now we have to chart a path back to pre-struggle fitness.
How to Overcome
If you do get sick or run down during a training block, the best thing you can do is let your body recover. A short break might seem like the world is ending, but I promise, the rest you give yourself is going to be good for you.
It’s also a sign. A sign that you were riding too close to the sun, and you got a bit burnt.
Slow down. Take that deep breath. Recover and then come back patiently. There is no need to turn on the turbo jets and fall back into another rut.
Do you have questions or want to talk about your training? Send me a message. Seriously. You can send me the most basic question, like “What shoes do I train in right now?” No question is too small.
Follow me on Instagram at TrainwithMarc.Run
Thanks for reading until the end!
