07 Mar Tips for Endurance Athletes
There’s something super inspiring about athletic endurance events. If you’ve ever participated in one, crossing the finish line for the first time is a pretty unforgettable experience. But, even for others, it can be emotional to watch the athletes’ discipline, hours of training, and lots of hard work climax in a race. And perhaps it is inspiring, overall, because it stirs within us the desire to do hard things and to overcome challenges without being overrun by them. There are so many race options you can sign up for; a marathon, duathlon, triathlon, ironman, long-distance swim, biking, cross country skiing competition, ultramarathon, relay or long-distance foot race. Here are some general pointers that are good to keep in mind during your training, as well as some suggestions for the event itself. Here are some of our best tips for endurance athletes.
Four tips for training
First, training is just that: preparing for the actual event itself and figuring out what works and doesn’t work. One of the things that set endurance sports apart is that athletes in these types of events have to train their bodies to be able to hydrate, eat and exercise —simultaneously. In a race, you don’t stop to eat lunch and take a break, but if you don’t give your body fuel, you’ll crash and burn. So, part of training means that you have to practice this. There are lots of different things out there to try—from fresh fruit to protein bars and GU to Gatorade, you need to eat stuff you can keep down. As the training intensifies and the workouts last for longer durations, try different products. Figure out what settles well on your stomach so your body can get the nutrients it needs to keep performing when the competition is real.
Second, practice with gear. Not all disciplines require that you have to pack your own food, water, and survival gear, but some do. Zoning in on what is most comfortable, lightweight, and the least obtrusive will be well worth your while. The same thing can be said for the footwear you choose and the clothing you wear. Do your homework now so you’re not chafing, blistered, or have a pack that won’t stay tightly in place while you’re navigating the course.
Third, it’s really about training for the distance. Whatever the discipline, your goal is to train your body to be able to do it for long periods of time without giving out. If you put in the hours required to make it familiar to your body, you’re much more likely to be able to perform well when the rubber meets the road, and its go time.
Fourth, it’s all about short and long-term perspectives. While you want to keep the ultimate goal in mind (and how amazing it will feel to accomplish it), sometimes, especially in the beginning, that distance or ultimate goal can feel crazy intimidating. On days when you feel like you just might not be able to do it, focus instead of what is cut out for that day and that day alone. Focus on 10 miles (and just finishing 10 miles!), and then worry about 11, 12, and 16 when you get to them. Sometimes, looking too far ahead can be debilitating, but keeping the end goal in mind helps you move forward.
A few tips for the event itself For starters, get a good night’s sleep two nights before the event because you probably won’t sleep great the night before. Whether from nerves and stressing about falling asleep to having to get up early to be where you need to be on time, it just seems like you never sleep well. Let your body relax and get the rest it needs a couple of nights before, so it has something to help keep it going the day of the event.
Next, if you know that you’re likely to experience some knee pain, tight muscles, or soreness, take some ibuprofen before you even begin. Doing this can help you expend the physical effort required without feeling pain or discomfort, and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the experience.
Lastly, you worked on taking in food and drink while exercising as part of your training. But make sure to do it on the actual day, even if you’re feeling awesome and don’t think it’s necessary. Stay hydrated and eat as often as it is available to you, or stop to fuel with the goods you’re carrying with you as often as you did while training. If you make the mistake of not giving yourself fuel because you’re feeling great, don’t be surprised if you crash and burn later on and regret it!
While some people become “lifers” in endurance sports, many of us may choose to do something like that only once, or maybe a few times. So, enjoy it. It’s an incredible journey in pushing yourself and experimenting with your limits, proving that you can do hard things and come out on top.
Astro has been the proud transportation providers for many races and events. We know how to get your group of endurance athletes where they need to be, on time. Our best tip is to provide luxury transportation for your endurance athletes so if you are arranging an event in the Tallahassee area, we’d be happy to parter with you. You can learn more here: https://astrotravel.com