This week’s photo was taken towards the end of a 44-hour training week. If you look closely then you may be able to see the signs of fatigue intoxication!

Within our endurance library, you will find an article on
Big Week Training. That article will help you get the most out of your training camps. Print a copy of it and review it — daily — when training big.

Given that I have a wife, two kids, a triathlon business and am in my 40s… I want to revisit that article while my most recent camp experience is fresh in my mind.

Back to that 44-hour week…

Recently, Dave Scott listened to me talking about my life and noted (scoffed?) that I was making excuses. In the context of athletic performance, Dave was right. I have a clear understanding of what it takes for me to achieve my athletic best, yet choose to optimize my life over my race performances. For me, that’s what age-group racing is about.

Even if performance isn’t No. 1 in my life, I gain satisfaction from being able to swim-bike-run at a high level — both in training and on race day. So for a week, training came first.

This most recent training camp was a biggie: 585 miles of cycling (41,500 ft of vertical), 30 miles of running and 18 km of swimming. The formula is simple:

• We trained all day, every day, for a week
• We challenged ourselves a few times every single day
• We were away from our excuses, distractions and obligations
• We had nothing to do but train

I’ve averaged a Big Week, monthly, for a decade.

When I was an elite, I managed 25-40 Big Weeks each year. At 42, I’m down to about a dozen per annum and I value each one!

To be clear, I don’t recommend that level of training for you but… when you see race performances, it is important to put them in the context of long term workload. My lifetime workload is average at the sharp end of the 40-44 category. The guys that beat me have done more work and have greater desire than me.

Separate from the physical benefit of training, there is a mental clarity that comes from being able to focus on something I enjoy. Providing I take responsibility for managing fatigue, I return to my family, and work, knowing that is where I want to be.

Finally, if serenity is what you seek then take it easy on the stimulants and music when training big.

Training alone, without music, has taught me how to create flow, manage pace and open my energy. I’m more integrated (mind/body) without the tunes and managed 90% of the week music-free.

The toughest limits to break are the ones we set ourselves.

Be Great.