Over a current 12-day stretch, I ran 255 miles. I ended that stretch with a 50-kilometer coaching run that went in addition to I might have hoped. I surged within the ultimate hour of that run, ending with my quickest mile in weeks, if not months. The subsequent day, a straightforward 3.5 miles on an oft-run route was one in every of my quickest runs, once more, in weeks, regardless of having no intention to take action.
Gosh, operating simply feels so rattling good proper now. And that’s the place the potential downside lies. I’m match, unhurt, motivated, and able to go! Oh, how simple it’s to fly too near the solar.*
This isn’t an unusual expertise. Approach again in iRunFar’s early days, I coached ultrarunners. Positive, some runners wanted motivation to run extra. Nonetheless, simply as many wanted to be steered towards operating much less, or a minimum of towards operating with extra intention and goal. Extra, tougher, quicker … that’s not all the time higher.
So, what are some facets and warning indicators that you just is perhaps flying a bit too near the solar together with your operating?
Wrapping up a four-day, 130-mile journey within the headwaters of the Von River on the South Island of New Zealand. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Feeling of Invincibility
Admittedly, I really feel this manner proper now, and I understand how harmful it may be. I simply ran an enormous quantity in each the quick and intermediate phrases and quicker on each lengthy and restoration runs. I nearly jumped right into a 5k race this previous weekend. Fortuitously, I didn’t, and I’ll follow a few simple days earlier than one other deliberate journey, however I’ll admit to having the urge to do extra and go quicker.
Extra for No Cause
When you begin logging further lengthy runs, scheduling races, squeezing in exercises, or stuffing the stat sheets for no specific motive or simply as a result of you possibly can, you may need to see if that work may do extra hurt than good in the long term. That’s to not say you possibly can’t be spontaneous, however in the event you’re feeling sturdy and persistently including further parts with out intention, take a step again and see how they give the impression of being as a part of a broader image.
Poor Sleep
Whether or not within the quick or long run, abnormally poor sleep is a good signal that the physique is burdened and, maybe, overstressed. An evening or two of awful sleep after a race or notably difficult exercise isn’t any large deal, however begin questioning your coaching or life-style if poor sleep persists.
Unsustainable Physique Composition
I’ll by no means advise others on this space, however I can share my self-assessment. After many years of operating, I do know what my racing weight appears to be like like. I’ve seen it going into the likes of the Western States 100 or Hardrock 100 after good coaching blocks. Whether or not science-based or not, I don’t like to remain at that svelteness for lengthy. I hope to not get to that time too lengthy earlier than a giant race and deliberately soften the perimeters throughout post-race restoration. After I see myself at that racing weight and not using a focus race on the horizon, I begin to marvel and fear.
Sundown outdoors Mavora Lakes, New Zealand, on night three of the large four-day journey. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Failure to stick to those indicators can result in damage, sickness, or burnout — whether or not that’s to the extent of overtraining syndrome/RED-S or not. I bear in mind again to the autumn of 2007 once I casually stated sure to a coincidental sequence of three 50 milers over three straight weekends. I used to be in strong form once I stated sure, and I had a superb run of it at three races, together with operating a still-standing 50-mile PR on the ultimate race. I paid for it dearly with an early drop at a 100k a couple of weeks later that prolonged right into a torpid winter. I don’t suggest it.
* For these unfamiliar with the Greek fantasy of Icarus, the lengthy story quick is that Daedelus and his son Icarus are imprisoned, Daedelus makes wings of wax and feathers for them to flee, and he warns Icarus to not fly too near the solar or the wings would soften. They fly off, Icarus will get excited, flies too near the solar, and falls and drowns.
Name for Feedback
- When have you ever gotten a little bit carried away together with your operating? What was the consequence?
- When have you ever discovered your self going too far with coaching and efficiently pulled again? How’d you do it?
Seemingly operating towards Mordor on an incredible 50-kilometer run to the place Edoras was filmed within the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell