So coming towards the end of the season... maybe even before that are you starting to feel burned out. It is not at all uncommon for triathletes and IRONMAN athletes to feel like this. In fact it can happen at any time of the year. Remember, it's always about Consistent, Sustainable and Balanced Training.
If you keep pushing through its not sustainable. Your body will break!
If you do the session but have no energy it won't be consistent. Efforts will be sub-par and you won't be able to sustain your performance
If you feel like this it sure as hell ain't balanced.
So if you are struggling with your training a little... perhaps you don't have the motivation to train? Maybe you cannot be arsed to get out of bed for the early session? Its normal, at any time of the year...
These are some of my tips and suggestions, gained over years of practical coaching triathletes, to help combat the burnt out feelings.
The key to being consistent is to do something.
Perhaps simplify it or change it up a bit:
Rather than going to the pool and swimming laps, why not swim open water. Find a friend and head off somewhere and just swim outdoors in a lake or the sea.
This could apply to cycling too. Stop... take a moment... go for a ride. Drop the Strava shenanigans and just ride. Maybe on the Mountain Bike - hire one if you don't own one - or pick a route on the road and just ride to the cafe. Have a coffee (or alternative beverage of your choice) and head back, perhaps on different routes.
It can certainly apply to running. Why not just pick a route somewhere? Go for a run. Maybe drive out to the coast and run along the coastal trails... there are enough of them! Can't get to the coast... find a forest and run through the trees.
Whatever the session, find someone to do the session with. Training with someone is far easier than trying to do it on your own, especially when you are struggling a little bit.
Do different style of race. Normally do Triathlons... why not do an open water swim competition (then go for a 'fun' run from there)? Perhaps do a friendly park run - want to make it a bit longer? Go for an easy run after? Or ride to and from the event.
That said...
If you are done... and none of the above works... try something simple...
Have a rest!
Do not just have one day off... perhaps have two or even three. It won't kill you. It won't make you fat. Your bike won't miss you (too much!). But oh my goodness your body and mind will be grateful... and probably so will your family and friends as you stop being such a moody bugger!
If I sense this is happening to an athlete, or more often, to prevent this burn out I actually schedule in Triathlon Free Weekends. This way athletes don't feel (too) guilty about having a rest or not doing any training.
9 times out of 10 the triathlete will still try and sneak out on the bike for a ride with their mates, think I haven't noticed (coach giggles). But that's ok... as long as they enjoy the ride and allow themselves to simply "be!"
Do compete and achieve the goals you have set out for yourself, you have to be enjoy them. Triathlon is a journey... its not a straight line to fitness. There are bumps and turns and mountains and more twists and turns to overcome... ENJOY IT
Professional Coach Paul Jones is a British Triathlon Federation Level 3 Coach and a Triathlon Australia Performance Coach.
He is also an IRONMAN Certified Coach .
F4L Triathlon Coaching offers triathletes and other endurance athletes a full coaching and training service that caters to all levels of triathletes. F4L offers professional triathlon and endurance training support and the reliability triathletes require. Each athlete is an individual, every athlete has different needs. Coach Paul and F4L provide you with 15 years experience and professional coaching.
