Quote of the Week

“Let adaptation drive your training, not your wants or needs.”
— Steve Magness, The Growth Equation

When I read this quote, it really struck me. This is why I have been in the sport for 33 years and counting. I prefer to always have a base fitness and then decide based on my current mental desires and life schedule what direction to go for a phase of 12-16 months sport specific adaptation

What does it mean to let adaptation—not want or need—be the driver?

At its core, it’s about putting your body’s ability to adapt at the center of your training decisions, rather than letting external pressures (like a big race date) or internal desires (like keeping up with friends) dictate the plan. Sustainable, long-term progress comes from respecting how your body adapts over time, not from forcing it into a rigid timeline like you have a upcoming race in 8 weeks, and are not where you thought you would be physically

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The Common Trap

Many athletes (myself included, earlier in my career) fall into the trap of picking a “bucket list” event, then building training backward from race day. On paper, this looks neat: start at point A (today) and work step-by-step to point Z (race day). The problem with this approach is that adaptation is not linear, our bodies don’t adapt in straight, predictable lines. We will experience setbacks, fitness gains happen at different rates, and forcing progress to match a calendar can leads to burnout or injury.

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An Adaptable Approach

Instead of anchoring everything to an event, start with your training reality.

• Life schedule: What frequency and duration of training can you currently handle comfortably?
• Realistically: How much training load, duration or intensity can you add while still adapting?
• Recovery: Age often dictates how we can recovery and repeat that load week after week to progress vs breaking down

Once you have that framework, then look for events that naturally fit where your training will take you—not the other way around.

For example:

• If running is your focus, choose running events that align with your current training load and experience
• If swimming still feels like a struggle, maybe now isn’t the best time to jump straight into a triathlon.

This approach lets you grow into races rather than forcing races onto your growth.

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Planning for Real Life

We all face interruptions—illness, family emergencies, work deadlines, injuries. The key is flexibility. Adjust the training plan, shift events, or even revise goals. For example run the half marathon instead of the full marathon. You can still participate with adjusted expectations, and step away completely. The win is in the progress you make and the knowledge you gain along the way.

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Why This Matters

By designing training around adaptation and then selecting races that fit, you create a sustainable cycle of growth. Events become milestones in your journey rather than the sole drivers of it. This not only makes training more enjoyable, but it also supports a lifetime of healthy performance.

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My Coaching Philosophy

As a coach, I work collaboratively with athletes to design training that respects adaptation first. Together, we decide on the plan, communication, and goals so that training and racing fit into your life, not the other way around.

If you’d like to explore this approach in your own training, I’d love to connect. Book a call