In short - I’m scheduling my race calendar and travel for 2025 and the race that i’d like to target as my “A” event lands 10-20 days after a period of time I expect to spend traveling Europe. This got me thinking, is there a type of training that when done properly, would benefit from a period of inactivity?
Something along the lines of borderline burnout levels of TSS accumulation into 14 days of no training (or the occasional run).
If not - how have others planned around similar events? I’m absolutely looking to maximize performance at the race, however the European travel is a non negotiable.
Thanks!
While it’s great that you’re thinking ahead about how to balance travel and training, we wouldn’t recommend pushing yourself to the brink of burnout before your trip. The risk of overtraining, burning out, or even getting sick is high, and travel itself – especially international – adds its own layer of stress and fatigue, which isn’t conducive to recovery.
Pushing your body to extreme levels of training stress before taking a break could backfire. The fatigue from intense training combined with the demands of travel might compromise your ability to recover and then perform at your peak during your target event.
Given the timing, we’d suggest sticking to your usual training plan leading up to your trip. As for running, we’d recommend against it if you haven’t been running leading into your vacation. Running engages different muscles and puts more stress on your joints, which could increase your risk of injury, particularly if you’re not accustomed to it.
In summary, while the timing isn’t ideal, try to enjoy your travels while keeping stress to a minimum. Trust that with a couple of weeks to refocus on your training after your trip, you’ll still be in a strong position for your race. A 14-day break won’t cause a significant drop in your fitness, so there’s no need to worry. Prioritize rest and recovery during your travels, and you’ll return with time to fine-tune your fitness for the big event.
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Depending on where you are going in Europe and the nature of the trip, might there be an opportunity to hire a bike for a half day or so and do a couple of hours of Z2?
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