too much too soon?

Spring... the season to get out and about again for us here in Michigan. The season to see motivation come back from the long grey days and some slacking through winter. Also, the season to.....overtrain?

It is so easy to get really motivated to get out and run/bike/swim fast everyday once your motivation has returned (or like me, you are coming back from a injury). But how much is too much when returning?

Be aware of where your fitness level currently is when you head out for those group training sessions, or you meet up with a training partner, or even heading out on your own for a workout. If you arent quite up to their level yet, or you want to head out with the front of the pack when maybe you should be keeping with the middle of the pack right now, make smart decisions.

Every training plan has, or at least should have, specific workouts designed to be worked in at specific times. The biggest mistake many newer athletes, (and even veterans) make is going too hard on the days they shouldnt, and then not being able to successfully complete key workouts later on in the week. Key workouts are where changes are made. If you have a chaotic week, and you get no other workouts in during a week, you need to know what your key workouts out, and make sure those are the workouts you get in.

So remember the next time you go out for a casual group run or ride and find yourself huffing and puffing way more than you were supposed to that day, that no one will care what pace you were running in April. But they will remember what place you took in that race you run with them once race season arrives. And if you end up injured, or were forced to miss some key workouts due to being too sore, you might not get to see what your true race potential is this season!