Oath for Chronic Overtrainers

Every year I promise not to overtrain.  And then every year I do it.  You think I would be smarter about it.  But there is something about the wonderfulness of running that makes me crazy in the head.  This year, one of my goals is to run injury free.   I must admit, I am on the verge of an injury.  Why you ask - because I hit it too hard for too long and didn't allow enough recovery.   My entire body responded first by giving me a bout of insomina and then fatigue.  And after that, I got really crabby and in a weird funk.  And now, the first touch of an injury is coming on.   

So, I am taking a few days off and already feeling better.   72 hours can make all the difference.  It can mean the difference of taking a few unplanned days versus being banned from running for 75 days off to heal and recover. 

And so I don't forget my goal this year to be injury free, I created this oath.  I have made a pact with myself not to overtrain this year.   

Are you a chronic overtrainer?  If so, raise your running shoe and repeat with me:

I {state your name},

Pledge not to overtrain this year.

I promise to listen to my body and my mind before, during and after runs.

I promise to not ignore the most classic symptoms of overtraining as I have in past years.

I promise to recognize that fatigue and/or insomina isn't just a coincidence after many long consecutive workouts and it may be a cue to add in rest and recovery.

I promise that on those days when my mind, body and soul has come up with every reason not to run or workout that I listen to the reasons instead of screaming, "come on you wimp - get moving" inside my head.

Being true to my long term running career, I promise to recognize when additional miles get me nothing but tired instead of improved performance and will adapt my schedule when my body says, "enough".

I promise that instead of getting crabby, irritable, and downright pleasant to be around - in fact so much that I even wonder what is up with me - that I will recognize that I am being lurking on the edge of overtraining.

I promise to look at my training schedule and build in rest and recovery in the form of nonrunning/cross training days as well as days off.   I promise to acknowledge the fact that even professionals have off days and recovery.

I promise to recognize and acknowledge that when my running starts declining and even the easy runs are tough that I may be overtrained and need a break and NOT do the opposite and add miles to make me "tougher".

I promise to acknowledge that the cold, flu, bug that I caught wasn't a complete unlucky coincidence that the mean nonrunning gods sent to screw up my training.  It may instead be a sign I need to slow down and rest.

And above all, I promise to take the time to ask a running friend to keep me honest about my running and call me on my overtraining when they see it happening.  And I will do the same.

I, [state your name], promise not to overtrain.  I promise to run to my potential but not past my sustainable limits.

Comments

[Jess]

That's a great pledge and something I will definitely keep in mind as I start to come back from this injury (which I feel like I need to say didn't come as a result of overtraining lol.)

[Lisa]

I'll definitely have to take this oath. I find myself in this trap often!

[Andrew is getting fit]

Great idea!

[Running Knitter]

What a great post! Thanks for oath. I took it. :)

[Runnin' Ragged]

I was looking for some motivation to get my tired body out there and run (today is hill day...yuck), but after reading this I might just have to reconsider. ;) We'll see. Great post!

[Makita]

Great oath - I took it! TFS :)

[FrayedLaces]

I took it, but I kept my fingers crossed....I can't just let go! Why is it so dang hard?

[Nap Warden]

I really needed this...glad I found you! Training for The St George Marathon btw:)

[coach outlet store]

This is the one we did, isn't it??? It's one of my all time favorite runs.