Training and technique

Base building

The unglamorous first phase: frequent, easy, light sessions that build tendon, foot and postural tolerance before any weight is added. Skipping it is the most reliable way to acquire an overuse injury.

Related terms

Progressive overloadAdding a little more work than last time, repeatedly.

Overuse injuryDamage accumulated from repetition rather than a single incident — stress reactions, tendinopathies, persistent joint pain.

TaperThe deliberate reduction in training volume before an event, keeping frequency but cutting distance.

More from Training and technique

Ruck march Cadence Ruck shuffle Progressive overload Deload Time under load Foot march Taper Back-to-back Zone 2 RPE

All 69 terms