Part 4/9:
Every runner has their unique thresholds based on various factors such as age, training history, and injury background. Blindly adding more running into the schedule can lead to burnout, as I discovered after feeling the physical strains and mental blockade during my Boston preparation. The symptoms of burnout can sneak up on you: elevated fatigue, persistent aches, and staleness can signal deeper issues, often missed until it's too late.
To navigate this, I advocate for training smarter rather than merely training harder. This means focusing on all aspects of fitness, not just running volume. One of the key takeaways from my experience is that integrating strength and conditioning effectively enhances running performance and reduces injury risks.