The path to injury-free peak performance
Regardless of your exact discipline and distance, your programme will cover all bases, expanding on your strengths and strengthening your weaknesses. This is what Gareth calls the path to injury-free, peak performance.
Here are the key pillars of the programme, and how to get the most from being coached.
Commit to being coached
Ask yourself: am I committed to being coached and guided, or am I trying to control the process? Too many athletes tie the hands of the coach before the process has even started.
Tell him your goals and available time, and he will take care of the rest so that all you have to do is follow the plan.
Use sports science
Everything he does is based on sports science. We live in a world where the path has been forged for us by amazing athletes and scientists, who have documented and measured what works and what does not.
Focus on mental development
The difference between the winners and the also-rans is mostly in the mind. Whether you are looking to compete to win or just to be the best you possible, honing your mental skills of focus, belief and commitment will go a long way in all areas of your life.
This is why he will often add daily meditation and breathwork sessions to your plan. It is also why tracking your training and your workouts matters. It not only helps to establish what training works for you, or to see when the load is too much — it also builds a roadmap of your success that you can celebrate at any time.
A little and often
Try to do a little and often as per your plan, rather than mega-sessions once in a while. This especially applies to the recovery techniques such as foam rolling.
A pro-tip is actually to do your foam rolling prior to endurance training rather than afterwards.
