What To Do When the Season Implodes
- Coach Dave
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7
Why Working Harder is Not Always the Answer for Masters Athletes
15 years ago, I decided to return to running. Before that, I had been playing Rugby League—definitely not the best choice at my age! When I began training to sprint again, I had big dreams: I wanted to compete in my first-ever Stawell Gift at 43!
However, reality hit fast! My body wasn’t ready for the load. Injuries popped up, and life kept getting in the way. Some weeks, I nailed my training. Other weeks, I missed sessions and felt like I was starting from scratch. My plan was ambitious, but it didn’t always align with what I could realistically do. Yet, I kept thinking that working harder would solve everything!
The Irony of Coaching
Here’s the ironic part: at that time, I was coaching masters athletes. I already knew all the principles—consistency, realistic goal-setting, monitoring progress, and adjusting programs for life and injury. But applying that knowledge to myself? That was a whole different ball game! Suddenly, all the things I’d been teaching my athletes—the small nudges, the adjustments, the structured check-ins—became much harder to follow. It’s one thing to see it clearly in someone else; it’s another to live it when it’s you on the line!
I barely survived that first season. There were weeks when I questioned my discipline and even my body’s ability to make it work. I could have pushed harder, tried to force my way through, but experience told me that approach would break me faster than it would help!
The Power of Accountability
That’s when I decided to bring in a coach and mentor for my own training. Not because I didn’t know what worked, but because I needed someone to keep me accountable. I needed a reminder to apply the same standards I had been applying to my athletes for years. Small adjustments—nudges on training volume, realistic goal-setting, and structured check-ins—made all the difference! It wasn’t about working harder; it was about staying consistent, following the plan, and trusting the process.
Finding the Right Balance
Over the next few seasons, I trained around what my body and schedule could realistically handle. I measured my progress, adjusted for injuries, and ensured my goals were ambitious yet achievable. This approach didn’t just protect my performance; it transformed the training experience! Workouts felt purposeful, not punishing. Gains came steadily, and setbacks became temporary, not season-ending.
The Hidden Dangers of Inconsistency
The biggest lesson? Seasons can implode not just because of missed sessions or minor injuries. They can collapse because we ignore the small, subtle things that shape consistency and effectiveness. Inconsistency, unclear intent, unrealistic goals, and a lack of measurement can quietly compound until the season feels unrecognizable. Even when you know the right principles, applying them to yourself can be nearly impossible without guidance.
The Importance of Support
Having someone to hold you to the standards you already understand can make a massive difference! It’s not magic—it’s perspective, accountability, and early course corrections before small cracks turn into big ones. For masters athletes, especially those balancing life, work, and injuries, that kind of support can be the difference between a season that sputters and one that truly delivers!
Reflecting on My Journey
Looking back, that first season taught me something crucial: it’s much easier to know the right answer than to live it! Sometimes, even a coach needs a coach. So, if you find yourself struggling, remember that you don’t have to do it alone! Seek support, stay consistent, and trust the process!
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