483: The Law of Diminishing Returns: Are you doing too much or not enough?

When it comes to running, more isn't always better. At some point, adding more miles, intensity, or strength training can stop helping and start working against you. In this episode, Kevin and I discuss the law of diminishing returns and how it affects running performance, recovery, and race preparation. We share lessons from our daughter's intensive PSAT prep and explain why, just like studying for a big test, there comes a point when you need to trust the work you've already done instead of trying to squeeze in more. We also discuss professional marathoner Vinny Nauti's high-volume training, why copying another runner's approach doesn't always work, and how to recognize when you're accumulating fatigue instead of making progress. I share why building an easy running base, balancing training intensity, prioritizing recovery, and adjusting your plan to fit your life are essential for long-term improvement. We also break down race tapering, including how to adjust your running and strength training so you can arrive at race day ready to perform. 00:00 – When More Stops Helping: The Law of Diminishing Returns 01:07 – PSAT Prep and Knowing When to Stop 02:16 – Trusting Your Training During a Race Taper 02:59 – Mileage, Training Stress, and Recovery 04:50 – Breaking Through Plateaus: Push, Pull Back, or Wait? 06:06 – The Salt Analogy: Finding the Right Amount 08:05 – Vinny Natti and the Outlier in Marathon Training 11:17 – High Mileage and Fast Treadmill Running 15:40 – Is It Overtraining, or Just Part of Racing? 19:59 – Finding Your Individual Training Limit 21:37 – The Gray Zone: When Every Run Feels Moderately Hard 23:19 – Balancing Running Volume and Intensity 24:26 – Build Your Easy Running Base First 26:20 – Making Training Enjoyable and Sustainable 28:13 – Age, Running History, and Recovery Needs 30:46 – Lifestyle, Sleep, Nutrition, and Performance 35:01 – Creative Training Cycles and Adjusting Your Schedule 36:18 – Race Tapering: Trust the Work You've Done 38:03 – How to Adjust Strength Training During a Taper 40:02 – Running Taper Variations and Individual Needs 42:15 – Balancing Training Stress and Life Stress Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret Join the Team! -->  https://www.realliferunners.com/team  Thanks for Listening!! Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one! Come find us on Instagram and say hi!   Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.