Training = Stress
Recovery – like recharging a battery
Often the difference between successful and non-successful athletes is their ability to recover. Overtraining syndrome can more accurately be thought of as under-recovery syndrome. That is, if you are not recovering properly between sessions, your performance will deteriorate resulting in fatigue and poor performance. You wouldn't continue to flatten a battery without expecting to recharge it, and your body is the same. Enhancing your recovery potential is like power-charging your battery; it gets you ready to go before every session.
But I'm just tired...
It's hard to predict how much training is too much as every athlete has a different threshold, and each athlete will have different capacities at different times of the season. If you are experiencing some of the following symptoms, though, it could be time for some extra recovery support:
- Delayed onset muscle soreness
- Persistent fatigue
- Elevated resting heart rate
- Increased incidence of injuries
- Irritability
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Increased susceptibility to infections
While maintaining correct nutritional status is critical and was discussed in Endura e-news issue #8, for some it may not be enough. In these cases, it is important to boost the body's ability to cope with stressors. However, you don't have to wait until your battery is completed depleted before you start to recharge it again; athletes trying to increase their performance can also benefit from ongoing preventative stress support.
Introducing the new Endura Overtraining Formula
Endura Overtraining Formula is made up of therapeutic doses of five ginseng herbs: Siberian, Indian, Korean, Tienchi and American ginsengs. It has been specifically formulated to help your body deal with the high demands placed upon it during intense endurance exercise. The ginseng herbs may provide support to reduce the risk of overtraining syndrome. Furthermore, the ginsengs have been shown to also increase performance parameters such as: sparing glycogen, increasing oxygen uptake, reducing blood pressure and improving stamina.
Many of you may be aware of the benefits of some of the ginsengs and possibly have used some over the years. What you may not realise however, is that ginseng is not a single herb, but a family of herbs, and each has their own specific actions. The five main ginsengs in the formula create a greater effect than by using one on its own:
- Tienchi ginseng may help to improve physical performance during endurance exercise.
- Korean ginseng is traditionally used to help relieve fatigue and debility. It may also support concentration & mental performance.
- Siberian ginseng restores and strengthens the body's immune response during times of stress.
- Indian ginseng may assist cognitive functions, sleep patterns and physical capabilities in athletes.
- American ginseng may be used for improving stamina.
Recharge before use
Endura Overtraining Formula may help improve your body's resistance to the stress of intense training, and will consequently help you perform better every session. Whether your body is struggling to keep up with the demands of your training regime, or if you just want to increase your general performance, Endura Overtraining Formula can be of use.
Endura Overtraining Formula may help you to fully recharge your battery after every session, to assist you in achieving your full potential every time. Why would you do it any other way?
The Importance of Protein.
By Allan Pitman - Triathlon Coach and Ironman Competitor
When I start a new athlete on a training program. I always have them fill out a three day food diary for me. Most athletes seek out a coach because they're not happy with the results they've been getting on their own. Very often the food diary gives me one of the reasons why they have not reached their potential. In 75% of cases, the athlete is not having enough protein in their diet.
Did you know that endurance athletes need more protein
in their diet than body builders?
Ours is a catabolic sport, we burn away the very muscle we need to make us go faster if we don't have sufficient protein in our diets. Many athletes are not performing to their potential because their body cannot keep up to the training. They're simply not repairing the damage they have caused by training. This leads to poor performance, premature ageing and can lead to illness. I recommend feeding immediately after training sessions with Endura Optimizer. This supplies the body with the right combination of carbs and easily digestable protein which it needs at that time.
