Knowing When

One common struggle we all face is knowing when to say no or to scale back our training. As working adults, we juggle many responsibilities — work, family, friends, personal upkeep, and various activities — all of which can consume the time we have allocated for training.

The most important step we can take is to be honest with ourselves and our coaches. Recognizing when to hold back can feel disappointing, but it is a crucial aspect of growth as both athletes and individuals. Acknowledging that we are taking on too much and risking burnout is a sign of maturity.

We often aspire to do it all, but the reality is that time is limited. Just like with loved ones, we need to thoughtfully allocate our quality time. Consider what is most important within your busy schedule and what will provide the greatest benefit moving forward.

It's perfectly acceptable for work to take precedence, and it’s vital to communicate this with your coach. This way, they can help adjust your training schedule to maximize your efforts.

However, exercise caution when adding multiple sports or disciplines to your routine, as expecting to excel in all of them can lead to disaster. Balancing various workouts for optimal performance across different sports within a limited training schedule can be incredibly challenging for coaches. Athletes may also find it difficult to manage travel, logistics, and the fatigue that comes with juggling multiple commitments, often resulting in illness or burnout.

I’m not suggesting that it can’t be done, but it’s important to be realistic about what you can achieve given the time you have available.

I would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you on your calendar and develop a training plan that aligns with your available time to foster success. Please remember that you are free to decline my suggestions, just as I may advise against some of your proposed plans.

Coach Zeke Hersh