"Forced interruptions to your training program"
This last week has been a very important part of my training preparation for the next 10 weeks. I only train at about 80% maximum intensity, so it gives me the chance to focus my priorities on excellent technique and execution, which will carry over into the main body of my cycle when I truly needed it. I feel as though this week is one of the most important of the whole cycle. Some may feel this is the time to bludge, but no me.
Now you see how important each and every training day is, what happens when you are forced to miss a day, like I did last Friday? I woke up last Friday with a splitting migraine, and realised it would be probably better to miss the day and focus more on recovery. I started off the day very restless because I really wanted to train. I find that when I train in the morning during the week I am more alert throughout the rest of the day. The weekends are my own so training is something I don't worry about.
That is the key to not beating yourself up over missing a day. If you are a dedicated trainer, you would be following a training cycle. Some days you train, some days you don't. Also, you will be scheduling weeks off every couple months for added recovery. So how is it that you can handle having a scheduled day off, but not a forced day off? Believe it or not, but if you are in this boat as I am, that's good news. The last thing you want to become used to is missing training sessions when you are not meant too.
So what do you do if you are forced to have a day off? Well, there isn't too much you can do about it. There is no point beating yourself up over it, because this will just make the day even more stressful. All you need to do is redirect your focus. Instead of worrying about the day you missed, refocus your energies to your next training day, where you will be there.
No matter how determined you are, you will be forced to take a day off when it isn't programmed every now and then. That's ok. Just don't let these become a frequent habit.