When a session or a week gets away from you

In July 2023, I got ready for a morning walk, opened the door, and found heavy rain. The walk could happen that evening, I decided. Then I worked late and fell asleep when I got home.

A few days later, I wrote that the week's training had been erratic and I was going to repeat week one. Monday's session was a rest day. "Rest day DONE!!!" was my triumphant report.

Real life does have a way of getting involved.

Leave the missed session missed

A gap in the calendar can make catching up seem like the obvious answer. But putting two sessions together changes the demand and recovery in the plan. You're solving the appearance of the week, rather than necessarily helping the training.

RGN plans advise against doubling up after missed sessions. Open the whole week in Training, including what's still ahead, before deciding what to do.

The right response might be to continue with the next suitable session, move something in line with the plan's guidance, repeat, or pause. Several missed sessions may mean reconsidering the plan or event date. There isn't one answer for every schedule.

Work out what interrupted you

A one-off appointment and a recurring work clash need different responses. So do bad weather, illness, pain, and a goal you've stopped enjoying.

Name the actual interruption. "Work ran late twice" gives you something to consider. "I've ruined it" doesn't help much with the next decision.

If symptoms or illness are involved, give them proper attention. A return may need individual advice. It's a different question from finding another free evening.

Choose the next useful opportunity

Look at what's practical now, rather than trying to repay everything that didn't happen.

If the same clash keeps returning, When your routine no longer fits can help you start with the week you actually have. If you're unsure whether to repeat or move on, Decide when to progress gives you questions to consider alongside your plan.

Write down what you'll do next and why it fits. Then let that be the decision. You don't need to carry the missed session into every day that follows it.