Fine Line To Performance Gains

When trying to gain fitness in a short amount of time there's a fine line between performance gains and burnout. Knowing how to do intervals and recovering is a science that isn't recommended to just anyone.

Since coming back from a broken collarbone I've lost plenty of fitness. Even though riding on a trainer and a little outdoors, the body just wasn't able to take the quality intervals needed for cyclocross. Then there's the matter of cyclocross technique that I wasn't able to accomplish.

The collarbone is feeling much better in the sixth week. With the late November and early December races I have put myself in a high interval program. Pushing myself for 3 days of 2 and 5 minute intervals. Now it's time for a rest day. The body can take only so much. How do I know I need a rest? Heart rate, overall physical well being, sleep patterns, the subjective aspects of cycling are telling me to. This is what a good coach can do. He can see the tell tale signs of overtraining. He observes subjective and objective patterns in your training. Knows that the other key to performance gains is nutrition. He makes sure your engine is fueled to handle the workout. Then adjusts your program accordingly.

This situation is an extreme case. Usually a program is set, with the guidance of testing, an in depth athlete questionaire/interview and communication between your coach that you should progress so burnout will not happen. Sometimes situations arise where an athlete, to meet their goals, will need to adjust the program to an extreme case.

To achieve your performance goals it's all about balance.