A Short Message on Avoiding the Post - Event Crash

Upon finishing Voyageur 50 mile in 2014 - Photo Credit: Maranda Lorraine

Have you ever gotten in the best shape of your life for a particular moment in time only to have the moment pass and the shape change?

I’ve been thinking about build up and sickness the past couple of days during my exercise.  It might be completely unrelated to your current situation but I’d like to share my thoughts.  This could help when it is.

Over the past seven or eight years, in my experience as a trainer, I’ve witnessed it dozens of times when training clients for “events” and experienced it myself a number of times as well.  It happens for weddings, graduations, vacations, races and I’m sure more.

What I’m talking about is overtraining.  We train so hard and are so laser focused on the upcoming moment that we forget about our own wellbeing once that moment has passed.
 
Stress is undoubtedly the culprit and it’s not just the exercise either.  It is the planning, preparation and movement on top of everyday life, which as you know, does not stop.

I think the message here is that while we train hard for events that are important to us for a variety of reasons, we do well to be considerate of the after.

Rest and recovery are a big part of any intense training program.  When we feel our muscles don’t have much left to give we might be well off to take some time where our athletic competitive nature shifts towards recovery.  What can I do today to set me up for a more productive tomorrow?  How can I modify my intensity towards buffering lactic acid and resetting optimal range of motion, with special consideration to the areas of the body that might need it most?

One more quick thing.  I’ve found that getting back on your feet if the post – event crash does happen is best approached slowly and considerably systematic.  The mind often comes first and we can stimulate that piece by starting with a walk or a light set or two of shoulder strengthening movements.
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So, next time you’re working up to a special event in your life or an athletic challenge of some kind keep in mind how your pre-event habits might affect your after – event life.  And, it is possible to integrate healthy after – event life habits during your pre – event build up.  That way when the moment is over the lifestyle and shape stay.