Absorption is Key

Success in training is dependent on a balance of workload and recovery. When done correctly the result is optimum absorption of training load. This past weekend my balance was upset.

Sundays schedule called for 150min run in the morning follow by an easy 45min swim at RMC in the afternoon. Monday would finish off the weekend with a 4:00 ride and some core work.

The problem started Sunday night when I had a hard time falling asleep. Around 3am when I finally did get to sleep I was awakened my City snow removal in-front of the house which lasted for about 90min. The result amounted to a night without sleep.

Monday morning rolled around and I tried my best to go about my day as usual. Bookkeeper game by in the morning and then it came time to head down to the store to do my ride. I just didn't have the motivation to go. When I finally convinced myself that if I didn't go right then I wouldn't have time to do the ride I managed to get out the door.

The ride itself was a struggle. Less than an hour into it I was looking at the clock. Never a good sign when you are doing a long trainer ride. At the 90min mark I was considering calling it at 2:00 and heading home for a nap.
In the end I was able to get myself through the first movie I rented and get back on the bike after switching DVDs which pretty much guaranteed I would do the whole thing. Luckily that was the only break I took and was able to soft-pedal through the whole 4:00.

Mondays core session was quickly forgotten and I hoped that I would be feeling better on Tuesday.

When the alarm went off on Tuesday morning I knew that I was still feeling the effects of Sundays loss of sleep so I turned the alarm off planning to ditch the Tuesday morning swim. Since Em had to get up to go to work I ended up getting up with enough time to fit in a 30min swim which I figured would at the least loosen me up from the weekend. Well when I got to the pool I realized how big a hole had been dug on Sunday and Monday. I had zero energy. After 100m I was feeling it.

In losing that nights sleep I had failed to absorb the weekends training and instead had dug myself a hole I now have to climb out of. The start of which was deciding to skip the gym last night and my run this morning. I will try to eat a lot today and get to bed early tonight in the hopes that I can turn this thing around as quickly as possible.

In the end this wont be a big deal so I am not too worried but it is a good reminder of how easily a good training plan can be derailed.

Absorption is Key and the Key to absorption is quality sleep, nutrition and active recovery through stretching, massage and hot cold therapy.

Remember our performance gains are made when we recover.