Points of failure in all instances define the limits of systemic function. Right Practice must seek to extend those limits through the pursuit of failure... Outside the formal practice, physical training involves the pursuit of success. Within the formal practice, physical training involves the pursuit of failure.
Michael Livingston, "Mental Discipline" When we train, we must seek to fatigue the working muscle or energy system. Doing the plank, or forward-leaning-rest, focus intently on the position you are trying to hold, tight hips, legs, locked out arms, as well as tension throughout. If a break down occurs, stop. There is no honor in spastic extended effort. In your next attempt at extending your time in plank position use your previous best as your bench mark. The same goes for pushups, pullups, squats, or other bodyweight exercises. Crush the muscle group you are training, keeping body tension throughout. True failure is controlled. It still "looks" smooth and easy. Following this protocol helps with injury prevention and overtraining. In my running/endurance training I love :30/:30 intervals. 30 seconds of very hard effort, followed by 30 seconds of easy recovery. We must hit these hard, and then back off completely to get ready for the next. The body is adapting and with adequate rest between these intense sessions our fitness builds and expands. New realities, new limits, personal bests, course records, all become possibilities with focused training and recovery. Respect your efforts and engage in positive recovery practices, daily. The younger crowd seems to frown on stretching, until they become injured. Start your daily stretching practice sooner rather than later. With heightened levels of exertion comes increased strain on the major movers, i.e. hamstrings, groin, and quads in running. Seek to lengthen these muscles on a daily basis via a few simple exercises:
Instep-Stretch
Pigeon
Downward Facing Dog
Wide Founder (foundation training)
Wide Founder into Windmill (foundation training)
Narrow Stance Decompression Breathing (foundation training) Work + Rest/Recovery = Training
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