10 Ways To Use Diversity In Fitness Development

What do you do when you get bored of your training and racing?

Motivation can wane through time, so we should be mindful when our enthusiasm and passion loses it fizzle and sizzle. Just as we can 'get our goose cooked', we can experience fatigue, boredom and lethargy. Over-training and over-racing can accelerate our sense of malaise. So, what can do to rejuvenate our interests?

1) Reduce training mileage, and maintain intensity (tempo, track-work, running up slopes).
2) Focus on speed and strength (higher intensity, strength-training).
3) Race in shorter events (add intensity and focus).
4) Participate in fun events (Colour Run, Illumination, mass yoga, Superhero Run).
5) Challenge different muscle groups (do CrossFit, yoga).
6) Take on challenging races that challenge different aspects of your fitness (Spartan Race, aquathlon).
7) Focus on your weakest area (swimming for me).
8) Take on harder terrain (ride on hills, off-road running).
9) Slow down and do fun activities (trekking, mountain-biking, wear a costume in a short run).
10) Do a team charity event to raise funds.

All it takes is to include variety, diversify your energies and interests, and learning new skills - and you will be confident with newly-discovered fitness and prowess!

Changes For the Better

In the face of numerous endurance activities on almost every fortnight, are we suffering from ‘too many events, too little time’? With room to err, and upset experienced participants with enhanced expectations why risk another inaugural event?

Having said that, there is always room for well-run events. Variety is the spice of life, so when you introduce new venues, routes and challenges then the event has a better chance of attracting the crowds. On the other hand, increasing the opportunities to prepare for a 10K run, biathlon, duathlon, triathlon or marathon can be useful and relevant to neophytes and rank beginners.

As part of the preparation for the Singapore Triathlon, new triathletes and endurance athletes can attend (at nominal cost) a series of training sessions offered by Back2Sports – a subsidiary of Core Concepts, an established chain of experienced and hardworking physiotherapists in Singapore. Incidentally, I will be leading a run session on 23 April, which covers the gamut of:

1)    Proper, injury-free, running techniques

2)    Safe running for the over-40’s (Masters category)

3)    Effective, but short warm-up drills

4)    Race-day considerations (attire, nutrition, and tactics)

5)    An actual run session, with Q & A integrated into the experience

I will also be leading another session for a new running race on 23 July – an evening half-marathon and 10K race called the Marina21K Run. This will be the third branded night event staged in recent years; it passes iconic landmarks in Singapore. Do join us, as I will, too, be sharing my findings on safer and speedier running for the 21K race, on 15 May. I will share how I qualified for the Boston Marathon on 3-4 specific, short run sessions per week. Isn’t learning part of change?

We have updated our blog appearance. Richard Leong, a professional photographer and graphic artist designed our new banner. I think it looks refreshing, and mostly, for making me look presentable and athletic-like. We focused on a clean look, minus irrelevant distractions. Stay tuned for more content!

Deliberate attempts at changes are, usually, for the better. No company opts to change for the worst. Transformations for both people and organisations focus on change, development and growth. Make those personal and professional changes, and enjoy significant differences: learn, apply, evaluate and appreciate.