It’s ok to have a break!

Every September, when we start training again after having had most of August off, many clients fear the return to the park. They’ve been on holiday, drunk too much, eaten too much and done pitiful amounts of exercise. And they’re scared. Of what?

I’ll tell you what. Of losing fitness. Of making a fool of themselves. Of looking fat. Of being a slower runner. Of having to lift lighter weights.

And do you know what? All of those things might or might not be reality but here’s the thing: it doesn’t matter. Because it really is ok to have a break. We all train hard and we all feel great when we do, but sometimes it’s great just to have a total break from it all. You can’t push your body several times a week every week of the year. Not even Olympians do that and yet many of us fall into the trap of feeling guilty if we have a single day off training, never mind a full month. But here’s the reality: your body will thank you for it. And it’ll take just a few hard workouts to get back into shape.

I tend to peak my fitness 3 or 4 times a year. That way I can have real focus and planning in my training, without the pressure to be on 100% form all the time. I book my races and then I plan my training. As it happens, on my holiday this summer I DID go running and I DID workout, but less than I usually do and I felt great for it.

So, if you’re just back from your holiday, take comfort in knowing that a) so are most others b) you’ll be back in shape before you know it and c) your body will thank you for the break and come back stronger.

Just be sure that you DO come back to the park and get back to preholiday fitness levels!

See you there fittes! x