Alright triathletes, the off season is close to over (is there even an off season in SoCal?) and its time to gear up for another fun-filled year of your favorite swim, bike, and run events. However, after so many seasons, sometimes your enthusiasm wanes and maybe this year you are finding it difficult to get stoked for the upcoming tri season. Maybe you’ve begun to find it harder to look forward to your training sessions.

 

You’re not alone in experiencing this workout burnout and there could be many reasons why you’ve fallen into this rut. One study from 2007 showed that some of the most common causes of exercise burnout are training fatigue due to overtraining, lack of recovery time, frustration over unfulfilled expectations, and basing self-esteem too much on performance outcomes.

 

If any of this sounds familiar, here are 4 simple tips to falling back in love with your sport:

 

• Change it Up! If you’re getting bored of your training sessions, try taking a different route, add some hills into your run or ride, join a friend on one of their favorite courses, or join your spouse on their workout on the weekends. Even incorporating a different sport into your regimen like tennis, kayaking, or mountain biking could be the medicine you need to reignite that training spark.

 

• Cater to Your Strengths. Instead of approaching fitness goals like they're medicine you're forced to take, think about your strengths and build on what is already working for you. Choose an event that hones your skill set. If cycling has always been your strongest event, try training for a century ride or participate in charity rides. Maybe this is the year to do some tri relays.

 

• Invite Friends! A study on the prevalence of burnout showed that you’re more likely to experience burnout in individual sports. Swimming, biking, and running are all solo sports, but this is exactly why you joined LA Tri Club! Take advantage of the club’s many group rides, runs, and swims. Not only will you feel more supported, but you’ll also have way more fun and the comradery you experience will help bring back the passion you have for training.

 

• Rest! Recovery time is essential to building muscle and helps to prevent both physical and mental fatigue. Taking a few days to as much as a couple weeks off doesn’t mean you’re lazy, that you’re no longer an athlete, or that your fellow tri buddies will think less of you. You’re simply honoring your body’s needs and your mind’s needs to recharge in order tom bounce back strong for your next set of goals.

 

So after you’ve reignited the passion with your loved one this Valentine’s day, get back to reigniting the passion you have for your sport. You may even end up discovering a newfound love about training that didn’t exist before.

 

References:

Gustafsson, Henrik et al, Prevalence of Burnout in Competitive Adolescent Athletes, The Sport Psychologist, 21, 21-37, 2007.