Three Types of Athlete
Elite, Competitive and Recreational
In every relationship, there are three roles we can play:
Teacher
Peer
Student
As we move through life, quite often, we might find ourselves playing the wrong role for the situation. This can screw things up, unnecessarily.
This same observation applies along our Endurance Journey.
Our bodies, and needs, change as the situation changes.
Over Time
As We Move Between Sports
As We Learn New Techniques
Today, we want to help you figure out where, and how, to focus your training.
If your consistency is suffering then, odds are, you’re training in a different classification from what you need.
Athlete Types
Like training zones, there’s overlap between these categories.
Also like training zones, be aware of the temptation to creep upwards in the classification table.
Training like a “high-volume recreational athlete” made me a very competitive age grouper.
Later, training like a “high-volume competitive age grouper” made me competitive as an elite.
It was only at the end of my Elite career where I had the ability to train-like-a-pro. Even then, I needed to come back down (frequently) to replenish my General Capacity.
It takes unusual humility to train in the style of a “lower” athlete category. If we can rein in the ego, then the results will be exceptional.
Let’s walk through the types.
Elite
Competitive
Recreational
Elite Athletes
Resilient
Economical when training at race pace
Technically superior (biomechanically efficient, less strain on musculoskeletal system)
Solid base already in place (consistent training years)
Red Zone (Hard and Very Hard Zones) training up to 2 sessions per week. This needs to be monitored carefully.
The Competitive Amateur
Generally, less resilient in view of other demands related to work, family
Less economical at race pace
Technically more likely to be compromised (biomechanically less efficient)
Training often less consistent resulting in ongoing need for aerobic conditioning after breaks
When fit, up to one Red Zone session per week
The Recreational Athlete
Resilience is very individual, and does not need to be tested
Economy is not relevant
Technique only relevant in relation to comfort
Aim for consistency as first priority to optimize health outcomes
No Red Zone training required, all sessions (5-7 per week) are aerobic and tailored to individual ability and need
The Fastest Way To Your Goals
Regardless of your current training protocol and ultimate goals, you’re going to be on The Endurance Journey for the rest of your life.
John’s training zone summary (below) contains tips that relate to Athlete Type.
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