It doesn't take much to trigger the domino effect that throws the training schedule for a loop. Today should have been a gym day, but I had an appt with the dentist, so it ended up being an impromptu recovery day.
Maybe that was a good thing because yesterday should have been recovery, but I did the yoga that I missed on Saturday.
Of course I missed the yoga because we went to the gym to pick up the missing upper body exercises from earlier in the week.
But today I missed another strength session because of the dentist appt! Sigh.
And tomorrow is scheduled for 4 miles easy with the run group, but I didn't run last Thursday at all and I walked on Saturday, so I'm thinking maybe I should only do 3 miles this time and shoot for 4 miles next time.
What do you folks do when the domino effect comes into play? How do you know when to write off a missed workout vs. trying to replan to get everything back on track?
In my experience, if I try to hard to get caught up and squeeze it all in, my workouts suffer anyway. Or I end up stressed out by trying to do too much, even resenting the workouts.
ReplyDeleteSometimes life just gets in the way and something's gotta give.
Good question!
ReplyDeleteI only shift things around within a week. If I miss a workout and can't add it back in during the same week, then it's out. That way I don't screw up the next week and I have the extra pressure to not put it off any longer than needed.
like the first two comments, I try to juggle things around, but if it doesn't work, it just doesn't. One missed workout for me isn't worth the stress at times.
ReplyDeleteYou can't play catch up forever with your workouts. I think if you make 80-90% of your scheduled workouts you're in good shape. No one makes all of their workouts all of the time. I would let it go and just get back on the plan.
ReplyDeleteWhen unplanned things happen to throw off my week's workout schedule, I try my bet to shuffle things around, whether it's from one day to another day or morning to afternoon. It just depends on what I missed. If it's something that I can shuffle around, I usually just can the workout in its entirety and go on with my week.
ReplyDeleteLife happens.
If I'm able to make-up a missed workout without it throwing more things off kilter I'll do it. Usually I'll know by the end of the week. But if it's a key long workout for an upcoming race that won't fit in the current week, I might try rescheduling it the following week. Depends on what my coach says ... Good question!
ReplyDeleteI just forget what I missed and do what needs to be done now. Thanks for your comment on my blog. You're right -- I've learned that lesson though. Doing a 26 mile training run with a bum IT band on the left side totally messed up my right knee! That's why I ran just an easy 45 minutes this morning. I don't want to make that mistake again. ;)
ReplyDeleteDepends on how important it is to my training. For example, this week I have a sick kid. I'm missing my long run tomorrow 'cause he'll be home with me. I'm going to do my best to fit in a semi-long run later in the week because the half marathon isn't too far away. If it were a week or two earlier than this, I'd just run short all week and not worry about.
ReplyDeleteThen again, I don't really plan much more than a week in advance, so I can always shuffle stuff.
LOL. Your week sounds like my life lately.
ReplyDeleteJust chalk it up as rest and start anew. No reason to worry about it. Sometimes the body responds great to unexpected rest/recovery days anyway.
At least, that's what I keep telling myself :)
Tough question. I usually just skip it and get back on track as soon as possible. Unless it's a long run, then I'll for sure do that.
ReplyDeleteSince I don't have too much experience yet, I will ditto what Laurel wrote. All the comments are good but I think I'm most likely to go along with Laurel's reasoning. I hope things start to slow down for you!
ReplyDeletewow that was quite a trip you took... let's see for me I try to just focus on the current day. So if I can do 4 then I do, if not I do 3... then the next day I just focus on what i can get done there. Generally if you have a goal for the week in terms of mileage you'll find a way to make it work.. you are such a super start planner around everything else that I'm sure you'll be back on track in a day or so
ReplyDeleteThe trigger induces an adaption. Darwin at its finest :-) The plan lives!
ReplyDeleteI pretty much just scrap what's been missed. But that could be why I'm terrible at sticking to a solid training plan!
ReplyDeleteI tend to just skip the workout and pick up on my training plan with whatever is scheduled next, unless it's a long run, in which case I swap it for another workout.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jess. I just keep moving forward unless I've been out for a couple weeks (let's say for an injury or something) and then obviously I've gotta rework the plan to fit whatever is going on.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Sometimes you just have to adapt, adjust and roll with it. :)
ReplyDeletetotally know what you mean. i had to make yesterday a rest day since i had to work late... but i just moved things around this week and am making it work. sometimes it just helps to not look back and just move on forward even if you miss things.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've actually done a good job of playing catch-up. In general I try not to let myself be bothered by one unplanned day off, but then when things come up day after day it's harder...
ReplyDeleteI don't try to catch up, just do the workout for that day.
ReplyDeleteI'm cautious about doubling up because 13 years ago - playing catch up in a stupid way led to an injury that knocked me out of my would-be first triathlon. These days I'll rearrange within a week and try to make sure I hit key workouts. But at some point in the domino chain I have to let some workouts totally go! Clean slates can be a good thing. Hope the dentist appointment was worth all the cascading!
ReplyDeleteTons of good advice here!
ReplyDeleteI'd just add that with family, taking care of yourself and your training.. plus stuff like dentist .. You are really doing well.
I'm impressed that it is important to have a training schedule.. a plan.. and then you have to live life as you can.
Hurrah for You!
I would focus on the quality of the workout rather than trying to make one up. If you have a series of workouts you do within the week I would focus on getting the key ones done, but if you miss one don't fret it too much. If it's a pattern then you might need to rethink your plan.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've already gotten great advice!
ReplyDeleteWhat did the dentist say about your choppers?
Personally, I struggle with wanting to make up lost workouts, but compromise by shifting things slightly. If I miss a day, I miss a day. Things don't fall apart in one day so its not earth shattering. They say its the longer training sessions that count the most, so you can be somewhat flexible with the rest.
ReplyDelete