Did you review your past season’s achievements yet? Did you see a gap in some of your training that came through in your fitness and race performances?
The highs and lows of race day performances are all great teachable moments. Logging them in the memory banks of your training log is very helpful. Future reading can help you focus on specific changes needed.
As for setting new goals- Where do you start?
As you start to see the gaps in the training or race performance history it becomes clearer what you need to do. The hard thing is to know subjectively where to start. Of course I am biased! I am a coach! I am going to tell you of course to “hire a coach”!
The off season is a great time to add in new things. It’s a great time to diversify, to spread your wings and make those changes. Do it while you have time being off a strict training routine. That way you can get accustomed to these changes.
Here are a few ideas.
1.
Does your swim need help?
Join a Masters group. Swimming with a group will make you a better swimmer. The Coach will give you stroke feedback. The accountability and new friendships will go a long way to help pass the yardage.
2.
What’s your strength routine look like?
If you pulled it out of a magazine, you may want to invest some time with a trainer. He/she could screen you to find what your own particular needs are. You are only as strong as your weakest link.
3.
Do you ride with power on the bike?
The cost of power meters has come down a lot. It is totally worth the investment if you are serious about making gains on your bike.
4.
Prioritize your season and plan ahead.
Hopefully you are working with a coach to develop your fitness with structure.
They will increase your ability to handle more training stress load. They will help you avoid early season burn out, and reduce your risk of injury.
Understanding the layout of how you should train through the upcoming season helps you to stay focused. Accepting and knowing when there will be rough days of high fatigue load helps you push through and hang in there when it really counts. Knowing a recovery week is coming up is always nice. Training ‘blind’ with no planning doesn’t work.
5.
Get out onto the trails
The Triangle area has an abundance of fantastic trails. For hiking, running and biking. All three of which will help develop your strength and fitness.
Bike handling skills will transfer over to either a road or time trial bike. The various stabilizer muscles used for running on softer, uneven surfaces will help your overall strength and agility, while reducing loading forces on your joints and soft tissue.
So while memories are still fresh jot down those lessons learned from this past season and good luck with the next!
Cheers!
Coach Jackie
Britfit Personal Training and Coaching
Cell: (919) 818-7096
