Often, runners see a new idea or think over their training and discover that something is missing. They then want to add it to their training. I recently mentioned avoiding getting caught up in the hype of “Instagram workouts” but what I’m thinking of is something more basic and often not a bad idea.
However, we need to be careful when adding new things.
You may be legitimately coming across something that will help your running. However, do you have the time, energy and training capacity to do that thing? Probably not because you are always trying to maximize your training.
We can’t do everything. Even the pros need to make choices and set priorities. You’re no different.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add the new thing but it does mean that it will need to replace something else unless you truly do have additional capacity that you’re not using.
So, if you’re looking to add something to your training, ask yourself: what am I going to remove?
What you remove is just as important as what you add. Is there something you’re doing that you’ve maximized and you can either significantly reduce or, at least for a period of time, eliminate? Is there something that just isn’t doing anything for you?
Training is a matter of prioritization. For everything you add, you need to find something to remove or you’re going to burn yourself out or get yourself hurt. Don’t keep adding without also doing some removing.