MethodologyPublic
Why does a race count as training load?
A race is one of the highest-intensity sessions an athlete does all week — plan the week around it.
- For
- Coaches, Parents
- Age stage
- General
- Season
- Competition block
- Read
- 6 min
- Updated
- 2026-06-15
The quick answer
Treat a race as a hard session that happens to have a number attached. It draws on the same recovery budget as a tough interval workout — so it replaces one, it doesn't sit on top of it.
Why it matters
Stacking a normal hard week and then racing at the weekend is how avoidable overload and niggles creep in, especially around growth.
How we apply it
- Count the race as the week's primary intensity.
- Lighten the days either side.
- Review actual load against planned load at the weekly review.