You train constantly, follow your training plan and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but suddenly you feel like you are no longer progressing in your running, cycling or triathlon training. This situation can be frustrating, but this is a natural phenomenon in the world of sports. All endurance athletes, from beginners to professionals, experience sooner or later a phase of stagnation in their training, also known as the ‘Plateau Effect’. Here are seven effective strategies to overcome this annoying stall in your performance.
What is the plateau effect in endurance sports training?
The plateau effect marks a phase in which athletic performance stagnates or even declines after a period of physical progress. To improve performance and fitness, it is essential to increase or vary training intensity and load regularly. Otherwise, the body becomes accustomed to a constant routine, which can block progress.
When the plateau effect occurs unexpectedly, it’s easy to feel frustrated and unmotivated. Training efforts may seem futile and set goals unattainable. To help you get through this, we present seven effective strategies to overcome the plateau effect and start making progress in running, cycling and swimming again.
1. Intensity Variation
The essence of effective training lies in its variety. It is essential to vary the intensity in order to stimulate the body with different types of effort. In particular, there are three main training forms that can help you improve performance and achieve tangible progress:
- Intervals: these high-intensity sessions are the ideal way to increase speed, strengthen muscles and get your body and mind used to cycling or running at a faster pace than usual.
- Tempo Workouts: also known as threshold intervals, these are extremely effective for boosting cardiovascular endurance.
- Hill training: although climbs can be challenging, the benefits they bring to performance justify the effort. Running or cycling uphill involves different muscles than on flat terrain, strengthening glutes and abdominals, increasing speed and optimizing running efficiency.
In addition to high-intensity training, it’s equally important to incorporate moderate- or light-intensity sessions into your training, such as long-distance runs, endurance runs and recovery runs. This variation approach will help you prevent the plateau effect and progress in your running training.
Note: for cyclists, equipment is crucial. Make sure you have a bicycle that is suitable for your type of cycling and that is well adjusted for your posture.
2. Recovery and Overtraining
Real performance improvements occur during rest and regeneration phases. However, these adaptations, known as supercompensation, require good timing. Don’t try to return to training too soon when your muscles are still fatigued, but don’t wait too long or you will miss the opportunity to benefit from the supercompensation phase. Avoid overtraining and give your muscles time to recover. Plan regenerative training sessions and make sure you have restful nights with quality sleep, as this is the best means of recovery after physical exertion.
3. Planning and Monitoring
Setting precise goals is crucial for assessing the progress of your results. Make sure your goals are realistic; although high ambitions can keep motivation high, it is best to avoid frustration due to unattainable goals. We suggest setting a series of intermediate goals that will gradually guide you towards your final result. In this respect, well-structured planning is essential to avoid the plateau effect in training.
The 2PEAK training plan is the ideal tool in this respect, as it allows you to set goals, plan a personalized and dynamic program and keep track of your progress. This last component is particularly important to avoid stagnation: it allows you to constantly note the details of your workouts and feelings, identifying any signs of stalling and making necessary corrections to your routine. In our explanatory article on 2PEAK statistics, you will find out how the program monitors the development, efficiency and balance of your personal training.
Create with 2PEAK an AI-based training plan for triathlon, cycling and running that adapts to your performance after each training session. Click here to download the app.
4. Changing routes and joining training groups
Boredom can contribute to stagnation in training. Training must also be fun and offer new stimuli. To break the monotony, try varying the distances and routes of your workouts. Explore new roads, terrain and different altitudes. This approach will keep your motivation high and stimulate you mentally.
Also, joining running, cycling or triathlon groups can help maintain your determination by training with other athletes and discovering new techniques and strategies.
5. Alternative sports and technique development
Spend time on strength training. Strengthening muscles, not only in your legs but also in other parts of your body, will greatly improve your strength and stability during your cycling, swimming or running sessions. If you feel that your performance is stagnating, it is possible that your muscles have adapted to your training habits. Incorporating muscle-strengthening exercises into your weekly training will not only make you more powerful, flexible and balanced, but will also reduce the risk of injury.
For cycling, working on your pedalling technique can also make a difference. Make sure you have a smooth pedalling stroke and maintain an aerodynamic position. For triathletes, improving swimming technique can lead to significant gains, as well as simulating transitions between disciplines.
Furthermore, alternative sports offer many advantages. When exercising other muscle groups, the pressure on the joints is reduced, which allows the main muscles to recover to a certain extent and helps to dispose of lactic acid, which in turn can improve the situation. Cross-training stimulates the mind and allows you to have fun while developing new motor skills. The multi-sport functionality of 2PEAK can help you with this, as it is valuable support for optimizing training in different sports disciplines.
6. Nutrition and Hydration
Nutrition plays a key role in endurance sports performance and recovery. Maintain a balanced diet and hydrate properly before, during and after your training sessions. Choose nutrient-rich foods such as carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats to support energy and muscle repair. Also, experiment with different food and drink combinations to find the one that works best for you, taking into account your individual needs and training goals. The aim is to maximize muscle development and cardiovascular endurance while reducing fat stores.
7. Mental stress
Often, the cause of stagnation lies not in your body, but in your mind. Situations of high stress or exhaustion have a negative impact on training performance. In such circumstances, it is advisable to take a few days off, relax and vary your workouts, making them more fun, introducing muscle-strengthening sessions or practising other sports activities. The plateau effect in running, cycling or swimming is a signal from your body that something is wrong; listen to these signals and adapt your training routine accordingly. You may find that when you return to training with a fresh mind and full of energy, you will be able to push your limits and resume your progression.
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