Back in March, we had one of our most popular guests on the Any Given Runday podcast, Conor Jamieson, who hit us with this incredible quote; "You can't eat like a show pony and race like a racehorse".

Unfortunately, that is exactly what a lot of people try to do with their training. Increase their training too fast with running, gym work etc while also having a huge decrease in their calories (whether it is low carb or restricting time periods for eating). The first few days can start out great, but it is not sustainable. the crash is coming.

And a lot of the time, people want to do everything at once. They want to look the best that they can look, be the strongest in the gym, work on their 5k time as well as doing their first marathon or long-distance swim/cycle etc.

And all of this training towards one goal will take away from another goal. You are hindering your own progress. And the answer may seem to be to train hard. That will only make things worse.

You need to train smarter.

And to train smarter, you need to prioritise your training.

What is your number 1 goal? When do you want to achieve that goal?

If it is to look like the "show pony". then it's calorie deficits along with the training you enjoy doing in moderation. But, you won't be your strongest in the gym and probably not fastest on the road.

One way we recommend organising your training around your goals is to set your goals to certain times and build on them for them.

For example, a triathlon heavy programme, with the season just over and weather deteriorating may not be the best use of your training. But getting stronger and leaner in the gym, building a base and getting some aerobic conditioning before you are 16-20 weeks out would give you a better foundation to start your training and peak at the right time. It would also be a good time to address specific weaknesses.

Look at your goals, look at the calendar on the events you would like to do, or family events you want to look your best for and build your training structure around that.

Give whatever programme you are on 6-8 weeks to see the benefits as opposed to programme hopping and doing random workouts.

Random workouts equal random results.

And Monday is a great day to set that plan for the weeks and months ahead.

To give a personal example. Being a few weeks out from doing the marathon, the majority of my training is on the road and building up aerobic capacity (going slower and keeping heart rate down). My harder sessions will be much shorter, involving keeping my pace higher than the marathon pace I am intending to do. In terms of gym work, while I am still going to be in the gym 2-3 times a week, working towards PBs or getting stronger is not a goal. That would be overloading the body right now.

Time is running out for me but I would like a little more improvement on my fitness and, more importantly, stay healthy over the next 3 weeks until race day… the first race day in 2 years!

Set your goals for the weeks and months ahead and build towards them!

Seán

PS: 6 Weeks Online Personal Coaching with Any Given Training Day: https://www.trainerize.me/profile/anygiventrainingday/?planID=151448&mode=checkout

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Sean Coffey