Image: Wix Media
Sirius, or the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the sky (Northern Hemisphere) and has an early morning rise in July and August. This is the origin of the saying The Dog Days of Summer. Summer holidays or vacations offer us a break from our work and school routines. Warm temperatures and extended daylight allow us to explore and enjoy Canada’s many hiking trails, running and biking routes and waterways. Although there will be some extremely hot days, the summer months present a great opportunity for endurance athletes to train a lot.
In the summer months, it can be easy for the training load for endurance athletes to balloon. Periodization theory in sports traditionally focuses on the summer months as a period in which cross-country skiers complete a large volume of training. Many athlete’s training plans will follow a progressive increase in training volume. Further, athletes often attend training camps and receive various invitations to train with others, both invite an increase in training. Therefore, managing favourable summer weather, longer daylight, vacations, and training plans with the expectation of increased training is critical for athletes (and coaches).
Image: Robert Lukenan, Unsplashed
This is a crucial period for athletes to be mindful in their training, to understand and remain within their current training capacities. It is essential to challenge yourself, but not to the point of overtraining. Don’t mindlessly do more, hoping or expecting that a linear progressive training plan leads to greater adaptations and better fitness. More frequently, the results of chasing improvements are overreaching-fatigue, injury, sickness, poor sleep, burnout and stagnation. Listen to your body and mind. Feel for signs and messages that you are ready for more. Be mindful that sometimes, less is more.
Tim Ferriss has a saying, “No Hurry, No Pause.” (Tim Ferriss https://tim.blog/new-start-here/, 17 questions that changed my life.) This emphasizes that consistency is the key to progress and excellence. For athletes, staying healthy allows for continuous long-term development and improvement. Don’t be in a hurry. Don’t be chasing gains. Keep working consistently. Doing regular and frequent practice without unintended breaks—No Pauses—is the base or foundation necessary for excellence, success, and enjoyment in sport.
In the next post, I will share how I use a weekly evaluation with the athletes I coach to help them understand their current training capacities and guide their training for the upcoming week.
I would like to hear from athletes and coaches about how you manage training load during the summer months. Please comment below.
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The First Lap Coaching:
Are you interested in discussing how we can enhance the joy and engagement of athletes in your organization? You can contact me at kevin@canadianwintersports.com.
I offer Coach Education and Program Design presentations and consultations to sports clubs and associations. I would be excited to learn about your club’s challenges and successes.
All the best,
Kevin
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