Although, you can prepare for an endurance event it a matter of weeks, reaching a new level in endurance and performing well in endurance events is a year round pursuit.  However, that doesn’t mean that you should try to hold peak fitness year round with high intensity, training volume and frequency.  Being totally committed to the sport actually means that your annual training plan looks drastically different depending on the month.

Recovery and rest are often scorned words to more endurance athletes than need be.  Recovery and rest should be a part of every athlete regardless of level.  But, that saying that came out years ago, “go hard or go home” unfortunately lives on.  You will need to push through some very challenging workouts in order to make fitness gains.  No doubt, but not every training day.

One key term to become familiar with is periodization.  The concept of periodization in training has been around a long time.  With its origin in the former Soviet Union it involves a careful and planned manipulation of training variables.  Why the Soviets?  What did they know?  Well a lot, but it’s also what they had that allowed them to pioneer training methods.  In short, they could operate as a sports factory plucking anyone from where they were (family, city, etc) if they recognized that there was an aptitude for a given sport. If “they” wanted you to participate in “the program”, you pretty much participated.  We think you are a shot putter, you train that way.  We think you are a gymnast you come a train for it.

They could collect good data though from their athletes with great control over other variables too.  Due to the highly structured environment and governmental control their data obtained regarding the human responses to training stimuli was good.

From what I can tell, all of my athletes have plucked themselves out of the main stream of sedentary lifestyles and have entered into their own “program.”  It is by your own choice that you are participating in endurance training and events.  Your internally motivated pursuit is the best foundation for success.

Now it’s time to go about your pursuit in the best possible way.  This involves applying the concepts of periodization.  How?  Either study training methodology and apply what you learn to your program design or seek to work with a coach. A coach should create a program that is specific to you, your needs and your goals.  Your training program needs to focus on the development of your energy systems through careful planning.

You also need to consider how well your body is currently moving. Does your musculoskeletal system need to be addressed?  Are you at a level of biomechanical efficiency that makes yards of swimming and miles of cycling and running safe for your future health?

With the training volumes that endurance athletes subject themselves to, there must be plan.  When you plan successfully, there is arguably a lower chance of developing chronic injuries and there is certainly a greater decrease in rate of psychological burn out.  And on the positive side, you give yourself the best chance of achieving peak fitness and a best performance at your goal event.