s1/e28 STRESS (& Running)

Quantifying Stress

Understanding and managing training stress is crucial for runners. Elisabeth Scott explains that metrics like heart rate variability and resting heart rate are valuable tools for assessing stress levels. She suggests using apps like Strava and Stride to track training stress over time, emphasizing the importance of recognizing personal baselines 1.

Resting heart rate is an incredibly useful metric. Measure it first thing in the morning.

--- Elisabeth Scott

Scott also highlights the significance of mitigating chronic stress through mindfulness and proper training load management to prevent injuries 2.

   

Overtraining Risks

Overtraining poses significant risks to runners, leading to non-functional overreaching and potential health issues. Elisabeth Scott differentiates between functional and non-functional overreaching, noting that the latter can result in mood changes, appetite shifts, and even depression 3. She warns that overtraining can occur at any running volume if the body is not allowed to recover adequately.

Non-functional overreaching. You start to see things like mood changes, lack of motivation, anxiety.

--- Elisabeth Scott

Scott emphasizes the importance of balancing training frequency and intensity to avoid burnout and maintain overall health 4.

   

Training Adaptations

Training adaptations occur when stress is balanced with recovery, allowing runners to improve their performance. Elisabeth Scott discusses how various activities, not just running, contribute to training load and the body's ability to adapt 5. She stresses the importance of being in tune with one's body to optimize training and avoid overtraining.

Becoming a better runner is about becoming more in tune with your body and your brain.

--- Elisabeth Scott

Scott encourages runners to harness stress effectively, using it as a tool to enhance performance and achieve personal bests 6.