My red blood cells like to breakdance. However, as of October 12 they have been banned from any and all shindigs, parties, festivals, get-togethers, and group rides. This "off season" I've decided to take 22 days off. "Off" by definition here means absolutely no running, cycling or competitive speed walking, limited time standing on my feet (in fact, feet on couch as much as possible).
Just like Rod Stewart, I'm footloose and fancy free from all training, workouts, 4am wakeup calls, and a structured diet. And as Kenny Logins says, "Please, Louise, Everybody cut Footloose". I feel as if I have as much energy as the happy go lucky spring legged dancers in his video. It certainly has been a long time since I last felt so physically fresh.
It's killing me, I feel amazing and can't wait to get back on the bike and get in some tempo runs. Yet, I have completely dedicated myself to nothing. I'm doing nothing, and it's everything I thought it would be. I've also dedicated myself to sampling the finest cuisines in all the land. I even indulged in some rewarding foods in Hawaii, which isn't actually part of this land, at least from a geographic standpoint.
Although they usually do not agree with the current state of my digestive system, burgers, fries, donuts, ice cream, candy, cookies, hot dogs, pizza, burritos etc. have been the staple of my diet the past week or so. I’ll continue to enjoy the fruits (and saturated fats) of life for another couple days until off season phase one is over.
Moving on, I think it is important to take some time to recover between seasons. Taking time off from training can be rather difficult, especially for most of us with the typical type “A” triathlete personality. If you’re not careful your seasons will run into one another (not literally, of course, seasons don’t have legs, among other things required to run). Be sure to designate a period of complete and total rest, recovery and sleep. Stick to it, don’t start training again too early.
The majority of triathletes in Chicagoland compete locally through early September. Those competing in Ironman and 70.3 races may go through October or November (ie Hawaii, Clearwater 70.3, Arizona, Florida). Either way, no matter which race is your final race, make sure you shut it down afterwards. Don’t get caught up jumping right back into your training schedule or doing one of those indoor tris a week after your “A” race.
Let the dust settle and allow your body to completely recover and absorb all the training and racing you’ve done the last year or so. As I previously mentioned, I am in the middle of 22 days of complete rest. I plan to follow this with another 10 days of active recovery (easy spins, easy jogging, a couple dips in the pool and light weight circuit work).
Don’t be afraid of loosing fitness, it’s impossible to keep peak shape much longer than a couple weeks. If anything, it would more beneficial to take an extra week off than cut your recovery short by a week. Dave I. stopped by the shop the other day and we briefly discussed this very topic. He ran D1 then took 15 years off of running. Once you’ve built a solid base your fitness will return fairly quickly following a down period.
If you need any motivation to recover, see how its done by some of the best recoverers in the state (York hurdlers, photo above).
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