What are the physiological reasons behind burning out from running too many races/too much speedwork, etc. For the past 3 years, I've had a serious dropping off in my ability to run hard workouts/race well around the beginning of October. Plus, is there any other way to help this situation right now other than starting back with basebuilding?
start back with basebuilding? Thats like building a foundation on top of a foundation...don't run yourself in the ground. I repeat you need to rest. Many runners are so scared of resting, they feel they are going to get out of shape from taking even 2 days straight off and lets not mention a week off....you are the biggest sinner in the world you slacker if you rest for 3 days. Learn to rest your body. Trust me I had to learn the hard way.
Have fun!
"I don't beleive in burn-out, only loss of appitite."
quote from -Pat Tyson-
Is it better to burn out than it is to fade away?
I've already told you that.
I encountered the same problem my first year of college cross-country. My times started going backwards by mid-October and I left for X-mas break feeling beaten up and discouraged.
I blew off my holiday training program for the first three weeks and didn't even think about running. When I came back in January, I felt refreshed and ready to go and was actually running well again. Sure, I had lost some training, but I guess my body wasn't ready for it at that moment. After some rest and recovery, I was able to start escalating the mileage again, and by sophomore cross-country, I was stronger than ever.
The lesson, for me, is that despite whatever your training program may say on paper or what other people are doing or think you should be doing, you have to listen to your body and give it a breather on occasion.
Given that you are in the midst of the season, there may not be much you can do for another six weeks or so other than try to take a few days off. At the very least, make sure you are running easy on your easy days, and try to replace a hard day here and there with an easy day.
I thought I had a bad cas of burnout but like I've alwasy heard its all mental. What worked for me was taking a few days off looking back reflecting. Then we I did get back out thre I remembered the fun I had doing it. You gotta emphasize the having fun part, sure we as runners have the urge to compete and go out there, ready to slit throats to be the best, but along the way we have to remember why we go out there. Because it's fun. I wouldn't have ever started running had it not been fun. Just to be able to go out there and be alone or with a training partner is the best.
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I’m a D2 female runner. Our coach explicitly told us not to visit LetsRun forums.
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adizero Road to Records with Yomif Kejelcha, Agnes Ngetich, Hobbs Kessler & many more is Saturday