Most of us want to avoid the dreaded "zero" in our training logs, but sometimes deciding to skip a session or cut a workout short is the best decision. We asked some of our extended writing team to share their thoughts on when they'll opt out of a training session.
Larry Cresswell, M.D.
The biggest reason for me to "pull the plug" is not enough sleep. If I don't think I can give at least an A- effort because of fatigue (from not enough sleep -- entirely different from workout fatigue), then I will skip and/or postpone a workout. Because of its impact on the rest of the week, it's always more important to catch up on sleep than to give less than an A- effort at the workout.
Kevin Purcell, D.C.
There are two reasons I'd suggest someone stop early:
- When perceived exertion (PE) is high but power is hard to come by and HR stays low it is time to pull the plug as you are likely cooked. If PE is normal and power is normal and HR lags you are likely seeing some good fatigue (like the kind in specific prep for IM) but will need to freshen up.
- When doing intervals: If you reach a point you are falling short of target numbers, stop.
Sue Aquila
- I have found that I might not be looking forward to a certain workout or I am fatigued. Basically, I have a 20 minute rule. Get out there and do twenty minutes of whatever the days workout has planned. Years of experience have shown me that these can often be breakthrough days. It just takes a little while to get the engine moving.
- Hormonal changes may result in fatigue for women. Track your periods and learn how those days may impact your training and your perceived exertion. Use the great days to your advantage and understand the "moving through sand" days.
- Since I'm a data geek, I would consider pulling out of any workout where the numbers (power, heart rate, pace) are major outliers (of course I would first check for equipment malfunctions!). This sounds obvious, but one of my training partners who is an olympic-distance specialist who usually podiums had a horrible race. She was so slow on the bike and it felt so hard that she was totally discouraged. She blew up on her run and thought about putting the sport away for a bit. As we were sitting there waiting for the awards, "it" hit me. She is a great athlete and I did not believe she was fatigued or had any other physical reason for her epic fail. I dragged her over to her bike and checked the front brake. It was so tight on the wheel that the wheel would not spin! Trust but verify!
Gordo Byrn
- If HR and motivation are low after 15-30 minute warm-up, I'll usually bag it. In a big training cycle, I might feel slow before I start but typically that clears with a relaxed warm-up.
- What is a lot more common is a failed workout when I might feel okay -- "failed" means that I can't hit my main set targets/goals. One of those in a week is no big deal -- it happens. When I have two failed workouts in a week then it means I'm over-extended. I need to back off for a few days and, most important, consider where I overloaded myself and learn from the experience.
Jonas Colting, Professional Triathlete
I'll skip a workout or stop early when something begins to hurt and doesn´t decrease in pain within a minute or when I´m either feeling lethargic, cold, lacking energy or just having a mental resistance that shouts loudly "go home and rest."
Endurance Corner members can continue the discussion on the EC forum via this companion thread.
