Preparing for the Pre-season - Part 1:

As we move through the Pre-season phase of training, there a few pointers that are worth keeping in mind to ensure you get the most from the time you put into training.

Over the next 5 weeks, I will look at 10, easy to implement guidelines, that will help you get the most from your training leading you up to your race season, ensuring you start the season with the confidence and physical conditioning you require.

1. Rein in your horses


With the weather becoming nicer, and more training being done outdoors, it is very easy to get carried away and exceed the recommendations of your training program.

The risk: developing overuse injuries as a result of the transition from indoor training to outdoor training.

The solution: build your extra mural training up slowly and progressively, giving your body a chance to adapt to the differences between indoor and outdoor training and the increased intensity and volume of training.

2. Stick to the training plan and only make small alterations to it


Up to now you should have spent a fair amount of time following a training program that has, up to now, been focused on developing your Aerobic fitness base.

It is imperative that you keep following the plan closelyand avoid making massive changes to it if possible.

Obviously your program needs to be somewhat flexible, but keep in mind that if you need to make any changes to the plan, make small tweaks here and there.

By making only small adjustments to your program, you will minimize the potentially harmful affects large, wholesale changes can have on you and your body.

More importantly, if you actually need a training plan, have a look at the mypypeline.com program roster for a program that will suite your needs.

Next Monday I will spend some time discussing the next 2 guidelines to help you get the most out of your Pre-season training.

We will discuss look at the importance of continually working to improve your limiters and why you need to train at different intensities.