to take a break.
It's equally hard not to. And I think that's the rub.
I have this conversation every few days with my coach. It goes something like this:
Him: You are doing too many quality sessions.
Me: Are you kidding me? I'm doing nothing! What do you count as quality?
Him: Master's, strength classes, cross races, swim meets...
Me: That's playing! That is not quality!
Him: You shouldn't be doing this much as you trend toward the off season.
Me: TREND toward the off season? Dude, I am IN THE OFF SEASON.
Him: Good, then stop doing so many quality sessions.
I'm not kidding that we have engaged in some form of this discussion at least 3 times a week for the last month and a half. When I look for sympathy from Andy this is what happens:
Me: Kurt thinks I'm doing to much.
Him: Kurt's right.
Me: What do you MEAN he's right! I've gained 7 pounds!
Him: You're supposed to gain 7 pounds. Plus, I bet it's not 7 pounds.
Me: It is 7 pounds! What do you think I'm doing that is too much?
Him: Master's, strength classes, cross races, swim meets....
Me: This is a conspiracy.
Him: Why don't you just let up a bit? Take a nap. This happens every year. Do we have to talk it through like 10 times a week? You always freak out, you always gain weight, you always fight it. Then you get back in shape and lose all the weight. EVERY YEAR.
Me: silence.
I'm just writing this out for all of my athletes who I have asked to take a break.
Here is my message:
I GET IT.
and I'm sorry.
But you have to.
It's really freaking hard, and I fight it, too.
God Bless the Obsessed. You have my deepest sympathy.
8 comments:
have you ever strapped on your HRM for a cx race? just curious.
I am actually really looking forward to changing gears for a few weeks of break.
Can I drive down to MA and you can teach me CX?
I'll still be active but I'll focus on "fun" things; I'll let you know if Sonja says it's too much quality! lol
It's cause we're all Type A crazy people! Although, I must admit that I'm having fun just doing what I want to do instead of what I have to do! But, yes, seeing the scale go up is no fun.
But isn't rest relative? I mean, strength, swim meets are probably rest for you! I understand the concept of complete rest, but honestly I sometimes wonder if it is a good thing. I mean, the body likes homeostasis. Interrupting that by going from being super active to not active at all is a huge stressor. I get taking complete rest if injured all burned out, and I get decreasing activity, but I am not sure I agree with the complete rest philosophy for everyone.
I suffer from the same challenge and get the same lecture from our masters coach! I fight it every year and don't pay as much attention as I should.
WOOOOT CX BABY... What? He wants you to sit around and eat bonbons? I say as long as you keep it in check, you are having fun, you ride your bike when you want with no structured training, why not? Of course I could be nothing but a bad influence on you. Oh well...
You don't have to gain weight just cuz you're in the off season. Eat less.
Hmmm, Melissa's advice seems harsh. Just stop eating already! ;)
I agree with AM. I'm not a complete rest type of gal. I actually find that my knee and my Achilles get more stiff if I do no exercise at all. I hypothesize, with absolutely nothing but personal experience, that light exercise helps circulation which is vital to healing too. And "light exercise" is relative. I often run everyday, but sometimes I only run 4-6 miles at 10 min pace, which seems like doing nothing. Today I'll probably do some really easy rowing, foam rolling, and stretching...
Hang in there!
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