Intensity in training: the long and short of it

As a Stelleri athlete, you know we LOVE high intensity training. We discussed the science behind training with intensity at our August Web Coaching session, and we are always learning new ways to derive the biggest bang for your training ‘buck’.

In the presentation, we noted that most athletes tend to gravitate toward longer, slower activities and events as they age up. Although we talked about why you should continue to train at higher intensities to counteract some of the physical effects of aging (e.g. lower VO2 max, lower cardiac output, reduction of muscle mass), we didn’t talk about WHY athletes tend toward longer/slower.

The science around the WHY isn’t as available as the research supporting the methods to counteract the effects. But anecdotally, and in talking to other athletes in the Masters divisions, there seem to be some common experiences. Things that we never gave a thought about when we were younger have suddenly become problematic in our athletic pursuits:

• More frequent injuries, chronic injuries, and an increase in minor aches and pains

• Longer required recovery times between hard efforts or high intensity workouts

• General decrease in energy, and increased fatigue (which may or may not be attributable to disruptions in sleep patterns, hormonal changes, or other physical manifestations of aging)

• Reduced ability of the body to moderate heat (critical during hard workouts)

• Sudden changes in food and drink tolerances, which affects fueling requirements

Any combination of these changes (and there are plenty more!) can effectively make a hard workout feel even harder. Is it any wonder why an athlete might choose – consciously or not – to modify a workout to avoid any of the negative consequences?

The good news is that with enough self-awareness and proper planning, you can still achieve your highest potential as an athlete, even as you move through the Masters divisions.  Stelleri coaches are committed to learning all we can to keep you speedy, strong, and resilient! We are here to help you to be your best, and we want to learn from you, too.

We will continue to keep this conversation going, and report back to you with any news, advice, or tips we get along the way. In the meantime, stay safe and strong, and keep racing toward your goals!