The time edging up to a major race is a challenging one – one where you’re at the cusp of peak fitness and susceptibility to injury. It’s a time when you want to stay on the right side of that cusp: peak fitness.

Is it a coincidence that we coaches are getting more than the usual number of calls from people with 2.5 weeks to go before the National Masters Track and Field Championships and 5.5 weeks before the Boston Marathon saying “the track’s bothering me”, “my hip is bothering me?” or “my cold won’t go away”? No. At the point of peaking, runners often overlook listening to their bodies. More people make the mistake of over- rather than under-training.

Back off from what you think you might otherwise do for maximum training. Take an extra day off and pull out your favorite magazine instead. You’ll be better for it. Chances are you’ll be able to perform at your best when your event comes around!