To progress sustainably in running and avoid burnout, one must accept easing off the pressure after a goal by alternating between intense training phases and quieter recovery periods, rather than seeking to maintain a peak level of fitness all year round.

noli's read

The recommendation to periodize training is firmly rooted in sports science. A systematic review by Williams et al. (2017) confirms that periodizing workload is significantly more effective for improving physical capabilities than constant-level training. Regarding recovery, the work of Mujika and Padilla (2000, literature review) demonstrates that a temporary and controlled reduction in training volume prevents chronic fatigue while preserving most cardiorespiratory gains. Finally, the notion of 'body memory' evoked to quickly regain one's level is supported by research on muscle memory, notably the review by Gundersen (2016), which shows that cellular nuclei gained during training persist during rest phases, facilitating a quick return to fitness. The creator's advice is therefore physiologically very accurate and encourages a healthy relationship with physical exertion.

the sources

1. 1Wang Z, Wang YT, Gao W, Zhong Y 2023
2. 2Bonnar D, Bartel K, Kakoschke N, Lang C 2018