Chiropractor

There’s no question that preparing for a triathlon takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s a grueling race and it’s important for you to be in your best shape for it. However, there is too much of a good thing. If you train too hard, you could injure yourself and unable to complete the race. The best triathlon trainers offers share some overtraining signs they see in some of the athletes they train:

Frequent Aches

While it’s normal to experience some mild aches occasionally when training for a triathlon, they shouldn’t be constant. They also shouldn’t be so painful that you have trouble moving around and doing normal activities. If you experience frequent aches that take you more than several days to recover from, it’s a sign that you are training too hard and need to tone it down a notch. If these aches turn into sharp and distinguished pains, it may be time to seek the help of a medical professional like a chiropractor or orthopedist.

Declining Performance

If you experience frequent aches from overtraining, you probably won’t be able to perform your best. If you notice that you are running slower than usual or unable to complete swim practices you have completed in the past, you’re likely pushing yourself too hard. It’s time to slow down and give your body a break so that you can perform well again.

Difficulty Sleeping

If you are having trouble falling and staying asleep at night, overtraining may be to blame. Overtraining can disrupt your cortisol levels, making it more difficult to sleep. If you are not getting at least eight hours of sleep at night, you will feel fatigued during the day and not have enough energy for your workouts. Once you give yourself a break and start sleeping better, your performance should improve.

No Motivation

When you are training for a triathlon, you are probably not going to be very motivated to complete every workout. That’s normal. However, if you have trouble getting yourself out the door for every training sessions, it indicates that something is off about your training. Your body may be telling you that you’re pushing too hard and need to take a break.

Lack of Focus

Do you find yourself having difficulty concentrating on work and other tasks? Does your mind seem kind of off lately? If so, it may be due to overtraining. When you are training yourself to the point of exhaustion, your brain may feel fuzzy. Cutting down on your intensity during your training sessions can help you focus better.

Taking a Step Back

If you have been overtraining for the triathlon, you should take at least a few days off from training. This will give your body the break it needs. Be sure to eat a nutritious diet, sleep well and drink more water to help your body recover faster.