How to race better

[Deleted User]

I had a stress fracture last July and since training again in September, haven't been able to race well. Training is fine, though not as good as it used to be, getting tired earlier while doing the same thing as before. Racing is even worse, feeling tired especially on hills which I used to be very good at. Am I not training enough to get my endurance better? I now train 3 times a week - one hard interval session, one hill session, and go for a steady run on the 3rd session, plus racing (cross country between 4-6 km) at the weekend. My coach thinks I ought to train more - is he right?

[Deleted User]

You obviously have lost confidence in your ability to overcome the injury. I think a visit to a gait specialist who can provide the correct inshoe devices which might have contributed to your injury (along with the possbility of overtraining)would make you feel like you were making positive preventative steps. Get some advice on a programme that builds strength and speed gradually. You'll feel that you are being progressive in your training as well as gradually building your conmfience in your body again. Age is a big factor in recovery. You must take this into account if you are over 35! At this point there is a physiological drop off in the body's rate of recovery!!! I should know...