I have a odd case of feeling more tired after a recovery week or a week that reduces my volume by 30-40%.
I just finished this week and I somehow feel like i need to take more naps to get through the day. I also feel less motivated to go out and train (but i still do) and more lethargic on some of my workouts. I’d expect performance to increases after training easy for a few days, but end up only getting slower & more tired.
I usually throw in these recovery weeks whenever I feel like that i need them, and I think this is not the only time this has happened.
I’m sure it’ll go away in a few days back into the routine, but is this normal?
I’m 22y/o, college athlete that puts in 14-19 hrs a week on most weeks. (not including strength training).
I’ll start by saying that all individuals are different in how they react to recovery… but here are my questions I’d ask.
What type of college athlete are you? Swimmer? Runner? Is triathlon your off-season? Do you take an off-season?
Why is motivation lacking? Are you pulling motivation from within and are just tired… or are you trying to pull motivation from outside factors?
Are you giving yourself enough time for school work and other life responsibilities… or do you only associate yourself as an athlete and that is it?
This is a very general statement and impossible to say regarding I just read a 2 paragraph forum post… but…
I would assume some sort of overtraining/staleness on your part with the early symptoms of burnout.
I’d take some time off and just relax. If you are going to be in this for the long haul (you’re only 22)… then some time off won’t hurt and it should give your body and mind some time to rest and become motivated to train and race again.
My own personal example is that I find that when I try to specialize in 1 sport or even triathlon in general… I do great for 8-9 months and then need a huge break… Rather, I try and supplement in other activities (hockey, xc skiing, Golf, insert whatever you like here) to keep my mind fresh so I can keep steady progress over the long haul rather than spike it for short amounts of time.
I’ll start by saying that all individuals are different in how they react to recovery… but here are my questions I’d ask.
What type of college athlete are you? Swimmer? Runner? Is triathlon your off-season? Do you take an off-season?
Why is motivation lacking? Are you pulling motivation from within and are just tired… or are you trying to pull motivation from outside factors?
Are you giving yourself enough time for school work and other life responsibilities… or do you only associate yourself as an athlete and that is it?
This is a very general statement and impossible to say regarding I just read a 2 paragraph forum post… but…
I would assume some sort of overtraining/staleness on your part with the early symptoms of burnout.
I’d take some time off and just relax. If you are going to be in this for the long haul (you’re only 22)… then some time off won’t hurt and it should give your body and mind some time to rest and become motivated to train and race again.
My own personal example is that I find that when I try to specialize in 1 sport or even triathlon in general… I do great for 8-9 months and then need a huge break… Rather, I try and supplement in other activities (hockey, xc skiing, Golf, insert whatever you like here) to keep my mind fresh so I can keep steady progress over the long haul rather than spike it for short amounts of time.
Again, this is all in general and it depends.
Thanks, I do experience occasional burn outs but they usually fade quickly. Your comment of being in this for the long haul and some time off won’t be a big deal really opened up some perspective. I’m pretty intrinsicly motivated, i’m currently in a graduate pharmacy program which takes most of my time outside of training. I’m in a NAIA track team, the track team training isn’t all that rigorous so i do a lot of tri training to compensate for it. My off season is usually like about 2 weeks in a year during december where i just do what i want, train if i feel like, if not i just take it off.
I really want to see how good I can get at something if i devoted myself fully. I figured since i’m still in school, i still have quite a bit of free time, plus i’m still single. And given all these circumstances I really want to capture this opportunity to it’s fullest.
Depending on the consistency, lenght and intensity of the training block you just finished, 30-40% reduction might not be enough . You might need closer to a 50% drop in volume. Though only a 40% drop in training load. Whe ntrainign over 15 hour pre week, you need ot consider the polarity of your training too and make sure there’s plenty of active recovery. Workouts that are very easy. So if you normally are running a 6:00 tempo pace, then maybe running a 8:00 or even 8:30 very easy jogging pace for active recovery. Hell if your in college, go find a chick to run with on recovery runs or bike efforts.
Whatever your usual training regimen, switch it up and add some complimentary and *fun *activities. In addition to recovery (attention to body, mood, etc.), *variety *helps to keep motivation high and burn-out away.
What tou’re feeling is typical for me too. I often feel worse at the end of an easy week than when I’m in full training. My theory is that my body goes into shutdown/recovery mode. You do you feel after 2-3 training sessions agter your recovery week? I usually find I’m a bit flat for the first coul,e of sessions but after that I’m fine. So my question to you, is how do you feel once you’re back in training?m if you feel good then keep doing what you’re doing. I know a few people who feel like crap during their taper and race well, which is the equivalent of a recovery week.
If I feel like crap on workouts immediately after a recovery week it typically means I did it right. After a couple workouts things are back to normal, and usually by the end of the week I feel stronger than prior to easy week.
If I feel like crap on workouts immediately after a recovery week it typically means I did it right. After a couple workouts things are back to normal, and usually by the end of the week I feel stronger than prior to easy week.
that’s exactly what I just experienced ^^^
but I think what you’re (the OP) finding is that the whole periodicity thing, is more art than science. You may have overextended yourself on your ramp-up weeks and left yourself in a bigger fatigue hole than you imagined? or, you may be fighting a cold/illness, or any number of biological things. I vote for starting with a plan, and then listening to your body as you go through your training, always adjusting your plan as necessary.