2 Questions For You
I.
What is the simplest action you could take today that would move you forward, regardless of whether it's the "optimal" choice?
II.
Would it be better to spend an hour training or an hour thinking about training when you have limited time and energy?
1 Real-World Example
As a coach with an engineering background in numerical modeling, I worked against analysis paralysis throughout my athletic career. The issue isn't researching extensively - it is overthinking that leads to stress and inaction. Constantly questioning my approach and my response to training, and combining that with work stress and life commitments I can talk myself out of sessions altogether. Fortunately this isn't an issue with my coaching work as the analysis is divorced from the decision process, more of that later and on YouTube.
The analysis of multiple factors can become overwhelming, making me perceive fatigue even when it might not be present, creating a self fulfilling cycle where I might end up doing nothing or taking an extended period of reduced training.
My breakthrough came through a series of stages, meeting Steve Peters and his Chimp model when I worked at British Cycling and refining my systems with the help of James Clears Atomic Habits to eventually using AI tools to develop our Traffic Light System to create a clear framework for analysis and decisions, separating data gathering and planning good systems from day to day decisions.
In simple terms:
🟢 Green Zone: When metrics are stable and training feels purposeful = keep going
🟡 Yellow Zone: When noticing inconsistency or other negative triggers = scale back analysis and prioritize implementation.
🔴 Red Zone: When missing sessions and constantly changing plans, return to fundamental principles and minimize complexity.
This simple framework has transformed my approach by creating clear boundaries and introducing break points between activity and decision-making. Rather than open-ended pondering that fuels anxiety, I now have a structured approach - a quick assessment, clear routines, and habits that can bypass the overthinking loop and make positive use of my analytical tendencies.
I have tried working with coaches, but I often found myself analyzing their plans and asking endless questions when their plans and approaches didn't make sense to me. Currently, I'm working with Clare as a coach, and her openness combined with help in objectively tracking fatigue has finally brought me the benefits of coaching that were difficult to find before.
This experience directly shapes how I coach - I welcome questions and analytical thinking from the athletes I work with. I'm always open to their ideas and prepared to engage deeply with their analysis, either explaining my reasoning or changing the plan if their suggestions offer better solutions. Having been on both sides, I understand the need for analytically-minded athletes to comprehend the "why" behind their training, not just follow instructions blindly.
One of my classic analysis traps is questioning priorities - debating whether I should be doing household projects or working more instead of training, effectively talking myself out of sessions. Making key workouts non-negotiable through developing consistent routines and habits has been an effective application of the traffic light system of gathering data and identifying the danger signs.
Despite ongoing cyclic fatigue issues, this system has helped me maintain consistent training over an extended period – not through finding the perfect plan, but through consistently executing an adequate one.
The gap between knowledge and improvement isn't filled with more analysis, but with disciplined implementation and review of real-world data.
I did my first race in over a year in February and learned a lot. There are lots of challenges to racing as an over 60 but I am looking forward to seeing how far I can get with more races planned this year and into the future.
