Triathlon training burnout can be a significant issue, especially if you aren’t aware of the warning signs. When you’re not getting enough rest, eating enough calories and taking care of your body in general, it’s easy to get burnt out. Whether you’re training for your first or twentieth triathlon, everyone is capable of experiencing training burnout.
Here are some tips for preventing triathlon training burnout:
Give yourself a physical and mental break
As the saying goes, “rest is important.” You should give yourself a break from training every now and then. Taking time off from your normal routine can help you recharge and get back on track for training.
If you’ve been running every day for two months straight, take a day off. If you’ve been swimming twice per week for six weeks without taking any days of rest, it’s likely that your body has begun to burn out from this constant exercise—so give yourself a break from swimming for a week or two. You should also try cross-training instead of just focusing on one sport at a time. This way, if one sport gets too much for you to handle but not enough to stop completely, then switching things up will switch up the fatigue in different muscle groups.
Set a new training goal
What do you do if you’ve hit a wall in your training? It can be scary to start over and change your goals, but sometimes it’s necessary. It doesn’t mean that everything up until now has been for nothing. The lessons learned during previous training cycles are even more valuable than what’s gained in their completion. This is especially true when it comes to triathlon training burnout: The experience of failing can result in some incredible insights into what works best for your body and mind—insights that will make future successes easier and faster to achieve.
Change up your route, schedule or equipment
- Change up your route. If you’ve been running the same path for a while, it’s time to shake things up. Mix in some hills and explore some new neighborhoods!
- Change up your training schedule/schedule more rest. If you need to, take a day off every week. Don’t neglect your body by pushing through the pain—if you’re feeling sluggish or worn out, then take some time off. An alternative way to change up your training schedule is to switch up your actual training schedule. For example, try getting up 15 minutes earlier or spending another 15 minutes stretching before bed. This will keep things from feeling stale and predictable—and just might help with motivation too!
- The same goes for seasonal breaks: if you’re planning on competing in multiple triathlons during the year and getting your fitness level up to par, then consider taking a longer rest between races to recover.
- Change your equipment. A bike fit may be in order if you feel like your current ride is uncomfortable or inefficient, or maybe a new pair of shoes would help alleviate plantar fasciitis pain that’s keeping you from running as much as you’d like. Some people swear by training on different surfaces than what they’re used to. You never know what might work until you try!
If you’re struggling with burnout, don’t worry. It happens to the best of us, and there are many ways to get your groove back. If your training has become too much of a grind, give yourself some time off and focus on other aspects of your life. If you can’t seem to get out of bed in the morning or have lost motivation for your sport altogether, take some time off from triathlon training so that you can re-enter it with fresh eyes later on down the road.
Looking for more tips on keeping your mind and body strong for triathlon training? Contact me today to set up a free coaching consultation!
Train Right, Tri Right!
Coach MJ
