Episode 35: Overtrained or Just Under-recovered? The Difference That Could Save Next Season
From The Infirmary | Fixing Broken Endurance Athletes by Campfire Endurance Coaching
December 29, 2025 · 1h 0m · Season 1 · Episode 35
About this episode
This episode discusses the differences between overtraining and under-recovery, highlighting the importance of recognizing warning signs and implementing safe return-to-training protocols.
Overtraining syndrome is rare, serious, and can end your endurance career if you're not careful. In this episode, we break down the differences between functional overreaching (proper training), non-functional overreaching (under-recovery), and true overtraining syndrome (OTS, and again, it's really rare!). You'll learn the warning signs that separate temporary fatigue from something far more concerning, plus we walk through actual case studies of athletes who took years to recover from OTS. We cover the psychological patterns that lead to overtraining, a return-to-training protocol that can get you back on the right track safely, and why consistency beats intensity every single time. If you're training hard right now or coaching athletes through big training blocks, this episode is the reality check you need before it's too late, for you or for your athletes! #triathlon #overtraining #endurancetraining Links mentioned in this episode: Return to Training Protocol Profile of Mood States Questionnaire Progressive Overload episode (for understanding proper training) Cody Beals burnout episode (previous episode referenced) 2026 Coaching spots Bend Camp Kreher Studies: Kreher JB &…
People in this episode
Host: Campfire Endurance Coaching
Topics covered
- overtraining
- endurance training
- athlete recovery
- training protocols
- psychological patterns
Keywords
- overtraining syndrome
- functional overreaching
- non-functional overreaching
- athlete recovery
- training consistency
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Overtraining Syndrome: A Practical Guide, Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) in Three Endurance Athletes and Roads to Recovery
More episodes of The Infirmary | Fixing Broken Endurance Athletes
- Episode 47: Justin Daerr on Intrinsic Motivation, Longevity vs. Performance, and Staying in the Game · June 4, 2026
- Episode 46: Fixing the Brick—Four Studies on Running Off the Bike · May 21, 2026 · 27 min
- Episode 45: Durability and Fatigue Resistance with Coaching Legend Joe Friel · May 7, 2026 · 1h 5m
- Episode 44: Triathlon Only Has Two Zones · April 23, 2026 · 50 min
- Episode 43: The Science of Sweat | How to Actually Fuel and Hydrate for Endurance with Tash Cooper-Smith · April 9, 2026 · 59 min
- Episode 42: Stress + Rest = Growth: A Guided Breathwork Session for Mental Toughness · March 27, 2026 · 30 min
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