This week -- within the midst of the continued uncertainty around racing -- it feels right to address training within this environment, with a special emphasis on consistency.  

We all began 2021 with renewed excitement of a fresh start, putting the adversity behind us, and the chance to put our commitment and efforts onto performances on the race course.  As I promised at the start of the year, the racing calendar is rolling out with plenty of uncertainty and confusion.  I asked each of you to assume that the first quarter would have very little racing, and this has been exactly right.  I also assumed that the second quarter would be, and I quote, ‘unpredictable’, and this is turning out to be exactly that. 

We can assume no European races, and North American races are patchy.  Oceanside fell away, IRONMAN Texas is hanging by a thread, while Galveston, Chattanooga and St George 70.3 are all looking good.  For the whole of the second quarter, each of us needs to remain pragmatic and ready for any race planning. 

Enter, train toward the events, but don’t be too upset or surprised if plans change.  I am not claiming it is easy, but it is reality.  Manage expectations, and treat any opportunity to race as a celebration and bonus.  The good news is that it is looking much better, perhaps even better than predicted, for events to emerge in the third quarter.  I still hold my thoughts that we can expect a full race calendar to emerge over the second half of the year. 

You are training now for three main elements:

•  Your health and life performance
•  Your long-term progression
•  Your race readiness -- whenever you get the chance.

Don’t lose sight of all three of these, but let’s also dive into the word on this week’s podcast: consistency.

In the show I label the ability to retain consistency as the backbone of every one of the most successful folks we work with, but for Purple Patch athletes, I would like to dive a little deeper into the word.  Let’s ensure we are clear on something:

Consistency does not mean doing every workout.

Did you miss that?  OK, I will say it again:

Consistency does not mean doing every workout.

Let’s ensure we are all aligned on something, and that is the simple fact that retreating is sometimes the best form of attack.  Let me explain.  

• We are currently training within the midst of a chaotic and challenging time for most folks.  Within the structure of life arrives many unpredictable changes and shifts of schedule and stress.  
• We build our training programs - baseline and race builds -- around key sessions that drive the performance needle, and supporting workouts that are there for conditioning, prep, recovery and technical development.
• If life stress or commitments amplify in any given week, it is pragmatic and sensible to hit the key workouts, and some portion of the more supporting sessions.  The bigger the life commitments or stress, the less supporting sessions should provide additional stress.
• Conversely, if life frees up and you find yourself with more energy and capacity, it is easy to add additional supportive training, as long as it doesn’t compromise the execution of the key sessions.

If you keep this in mind, a given week might provide 8 hours of training, or another week allow 14 hours, all for an athlete who typically hits 12 hours (on average).  This is consistency.  Eight hours is as valuable and as much a success as the almost double number of hours in a different week.  Instead of obsessing on any single session or week, obsess on pragmatism and stringing together a thread of work over months.

One more thought that is worth adding.  You might be three weeks out of a key race, highly engaged and eager to race.  Then... that race gets canceled.  It is normal and anticipated for you to be frustrated at the situation, to be upset, to feel like the carpet has been pulled from under you.  That doesn’t mean it is smart to give up in despair.  Be sad, sit with the feelings, enjoy a week of downtime and less training, then get back on the horse!  Step up.  Realize the life challenge you were thrown, and the privilege of being in a place that -- at this time -- a huge stressor is whether you get to toe the line in a race.  Step up and begin the journey for the next one, and love the process and get excited to go again.  When the race does finally happen, be ready and give it your all!

My perspective.

Cheers,
Matt