How to Avoid Mediocrity

Quantity and quality can coexist in your training plan, says the Prof. But planning and commitment are required to avoid mediocrity and optimise adaptation. Here’s how…

- By Greg Whyte. Photographs by Skynesher Getty Images

The winter months are traditionally the realm of high training volumes across all three disciplines, where we focus on gaining positive adaptations in a range of performance areas, such as: aerobic capacity, strength, economy, and technique, to name but a few.

While high training volumes are a necessary part of a periodised training programme, it does come with risk. Throw in busy work schedules, family life and the increased risk of infection, illness and injury over the long, dark winter months, and this can lead to an enforced reduction in training volume.

In addition to injury and illness risk, an obsessive drive to increase training volume can often lead to chronic fatigue that leads to a loss of training quality. So it’s really important to avoid this drive to mediocrity, to ensure you make the most of winter training.