Keeping motivated
COVID-19 or training in the off season?
COVID-19 What an interesting time to be alive! With most people asked to work from home or stay home, it can be challenging when it is not the norm for you to spend so much time alone! Perhaps you are motivated to train alone, but that race you were targeting has suddenly been canceled or postponed; how do you stay motivated?
The good thing is running, and cycling is still permitted activity, although time restrictions may be imposed, you still can, so use it and get out of the house! The first thing I like to do is think about your 'why'. Do you enjoy this activity? Was it a goal to tick off the list? Was it social? If you need to make it social, do so but distance at the same time!
Remember the benefits of exercise:
Prevention and management of disease
Decreased stress levels
Reduced anxiety and depression
Increased cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and flexibility
Improved joint mobility, posture, and coordination
One of the best things to keep you motivated is to keep a routine, even if you are not going into the office every day. Get up and train as you usually would, have your morning coffee, and start your day. Set yourself a target, whether it's a race (that may not happen) or just a daily goal of 30mins exercise. Assume that race will happen, commit to the plan you set for yourself. The worst that can happen is you are fitter on expected race day.
Please don't buy into every virtual race out there; they pop up left right and centre. Focus on that goal race you had; doing intermittent races can affect your training and recovery for that big goal. Don't beat yourself up if you miss a session; show yourself the same compassion you would to a friend in the same scenario; self-talk can be so helpful and can build mental toughness.
The truth is you cannot control the decision made around a race or event. Therefore lock on your goal, plan as if it is going ahead, and the worst thing that can happen is your fitter once race day rolls around. One thing to remember while triathlon training - it is a singleton sport. Even if you usually train with your friends, they are not alongside you on race day, so why do we not work out this way most of the time?
Author – Head Coach Amanda Moore