One thing I’ve come to believe strongly through years of practice is that most sessions don’t need to be maximal. For me, around 7/10 effort is usually the sweet spot.
It’s enough to challenge me, enough to practise the heavier movements and develop the skills, but it leaves something in reserve. That matters when you enjoy moving most days. I want to finish a session feeling that I could have done a little more, rather than feeling that I absolutely had to stop.
How to measure 7/10? If you’re enjoying the session and time goes quickly, you’re in the flow. If you’re fatigued and anxious you’re pushing too hard, if it’s boring and time goes slowly you’re in the too low zone.
The aim isn’t to empty the tank, it’s to keep the door open for tomorrow’s practice.
Maddie spent most of the session asleep on the ditch bank, then a black cat appeared.
She immediately abandoned her restoration programme, dealt with the situation, saw the intruder off and returned to normal duties.
Physical culture: rest, sudden explosive effort, then restoration.
Maddie understands periodisation. 🐈⬛🤣 But that’s for another entry.