Sidenote: Over-race is a term that happens but isn’t talked about much. This is an older blog, but I love it, especially as we are coming up on the racing season. Are you over-racing? Do you need to jump on a call with me to find out what you are doing right or wrong in your training? My calendar is open. Click HERE or contact me HERE. 

What is “Over Racing?” There are 52 weeks in a year. Therefore, I will see triathletes or runners “racing” 45 weekends out of the year. This is “over racing.”

As a coach, I will look at my athletes’ priority races, which could be considered a “1^st Triathlon, possibly an Olympic Triathlon, or even a Half Marathon, etc.” I will program their workouts specifically for these races. When they come to me with a TON of “races,” I ask them, “Do you want to prioritize a 5k with your friends or your Olympic Distance triathlon?” They get my point. Don’t get me wrong; there are times when I do ask that athletes knock out a 5k/10k run. It is a FANTASTIC baseline to get an athlete’s pacing.

Over Race or Not to Over Race?

Here is an excellent example of “over-racing:”

1. Athlete A had a priority race, Ironman Texas, in May.

2. Athlete A did a 70.3 Ironman 5 weeks out from Ironman. This is good. We can see where this athlete is at for nutrition and heading into the next five weeks of their Ironman training.

3. Athlete A did a 13.1 Marathon a week BEFORE her 70.3 Ironman Triathlon.

What was the point of Athlete A doing a 13.1 Marathon? The recovery time for a half marathon run and trying to get ready for a 70.3 Ironman next week takes a HUGE toll on the body.

The body is an AMAZING tool, and the body knows when it needs rest, BUT a lot of athletes don’t know how to listen to their bodies. Athletes want to dig, drive, and try to get better when in the long run, they are hurting themselves.

Over Race: How Do Athletes Avoid It?

1. Make your rest day a rest day.

2. Race when you are scheduled to race. If you need to get a “long” run in and want to do a 13.1 Marathon to have an organized course, that is fine. Don’t RACE it! (Prioritize your calendar!)

3. Focus on your “A” race of the season

4. Hire a Coach and have them help you succeed!

5. Listen to your body! The body knows what is up; listen to it!

See my interview in “Triathlete” magazine from February 2013 about “Over Racing.”