Courage to rest
Your motivation returns
The break will enable you to pursue goals at different levels. The mental aspect, for one, is worth mentioning. Those who train all-year-around experience phases during which training is easier and phases during which everything is more arduous. After or even during the break, your motivation and psychological willingness to perform will return. Not only will you find your training workload easier, but you can organise your intensive units and competitions just as successfully as before.
The musculoskeletal system repairs damage
During the training phase, the musculoskeletal system is constantly subjected to small injuries. Since the time between the individual training units is too short, some of these are not fully able to heal completely and thus build up throughout the year. Those who consciously take a break give their musculoskeletal system the ability to repair the damage and thereby lay the foundations for higher load stimuli.
The hormonal balance is regulated
Training means stress. Especially when you have to combine it with your work and family life. The body responds with an increased production of stress hormones, which can get out of hand and weaken both your immune system and resilience in the long run. Those who take a break can bring their hormone levels back into balance.
The body remembers
You don’t, by the way, need to worry that the break will prevent you from reaching your level of performance again. The body literally stores your previous performance capability and achieves it again after a few weeks of specific training.
A gentle comeback is recommended
It is highly important that you cautiously resume training after your break. This is because our musculoskeletal system (tendons, muscles) constantly adapts to the demands placed upon it. For this reason it is worthwhile increasing the intensity and scope in well-measured doses.
These 5 tips will ensure your break is a success
- Schedule a fixed date for your break in your annual planning. The most sensible time is after your target race for the season.
- During your break, deliberately do things that you otherwise never have time for.
- Avoid simply filling this time with additional working hours.
- During the break, treat yourself to a massage or a salt water bath, for example.
- After the break, give yourself plenty of time before you get involved in the competition scene again.
Foto:iStock.com
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