Why train all year round

Training 12 months of the year does not mean smashing yourself week after week. 

Instead it is about focusing on smaller chunks of time and on areas that you might need to improve on, in order to aid your next training block and/or race. 

Coming off the back of race season, it is likely that you also ticked off a pretty intense 12 - 16 weeks training block. So as opposed to jumping straight into another one of those, it is recommended that after some recovery, you now start looking to building a stronger base. 

By periodising your training throughout the year, you will be able to keep things varied and help prevent mental and physical fatigue. Your chance of injury will also decrease, due to the physical adaptations to your sustained training load, and you will be able to hone in on different skills that you need for running, e.g. speed, technique, and endurance. 

Some areas that you might want to focus on over the coming months to improve your running further down the line are:

• Strength

• Power

• Run Form

• Endurance / Base Building

• Mindset

Doing the above without carrying the fatigue of specific race training in your system will allow you to expend more energy on these areas and also allow for better recovery from the sessions. 

As with all training, it is still important to maintain the basic needs of good nutrition, hydration, and sleep to allow the body to adapt, recover, and improve. 

Lastly, by keeping a training routine in your week, you will reap the mental health benefits that come from exercising consistently. 

So keep focusing on those little areas that need some love, and you will be able to embrace your next race specific training block with peace of mind that you are going in stronger than ever.