The training programme of Olympic athlete Eilish McColgan has some useful lessons for all of us
People often ask me how I plan my training schedule, especially since I’m based in the UK and my coach (my mother) lives in the UAE.
Though it’s not ideal having my coach in another country, it has made me more independent - I don't need someone to make sure I'm doing all my training. If your motivation is internally driven, it’s very powerful.
Training on my own means I also have to make sensible decisions about when to slow down. Athletes always want to push the limits but many will end up injured or fatigued because they don't know when to stop pushing themselves. That’s a lesson for all of us, not just sportspeople.
And finally, my mum and I take time at the start of each year to work out a plan for the year ahead. What are my goal races? When do I need to peak? What sort of training should I do through the year?
The plan we come up with is never set in stone because we have to adapt to injuries, illness or setbacks. But I do find it really helpful to set out what I want to achieve in the year – I recommend it for any walk of life.
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