The Ebbs and Flows of Success

When it comes to improving in sport, most of us like to picture progress as a neat, upward line. Train hard, recover well, and each week brings a little personal best. But anyone who’s been at it for a while knows that reality looks very different. Progress doesn’t follow a straight line — it comes in waves. There are good weeks, average weeks, and some that make you wonder if you’ve gone backwards altogether.

For Masters athletes, this stop–start rhythm is especially familiar. Life is busy. Work, family, travel, sleep, and recovery all play a bigger role than they might have in your twenties. You can have a great training block and then suddenly hit a flat patch for reasons that have nothing to do with “motivation” or “discipline.”

Why the Path Isn’t Straight

Training adaptations don’t happen overnight, and they don’t happen on a perfect schedule. Some phases are designed to push you out of your comfort zone — and during those times, performance might temporarily dip as your body adapts. Illness, fatigue, or even a hectic work week can all affect how you perform, no matter how committed you are. This isn’t a sign that something’s wrong; it’s simply how the process works.

Zooming Out Matters

When you only focus on this week’s results, it’s easy to get frustrated. But if you zoom out and look at the bigger picture — over months or even years — the story usually looks very different. A smart long-term plan builds in these ebbs and flows. There are phases to push hard and phases to consolidate, with the goal of peaking when it matters, not holding top form all year (which isn’t realistic for anyone).

Consistency and Monitoring: The Secret Weapons

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to be perfect to keep improving. What really counts is showing up consistently, even on the average days, and keeping track of how things are going. Regular monitoring — whether it’s times, training loads, or simply how you’re feeling — helps you spot trends and make smart adjustments, rather than reacting emotionally to one off day.

Ride the Waves

The real key is learning to ride the ups and downs rather than fight them. For Masters athletes, accepting that success isn’t linear can be liberating. Stay consistent, keep the long game in mind, and those waves will keep carrying you forward.

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