The off-season is not that exciting, but extremely important.
I’m outdoors a lot.
If I’m not running, I’m walking or riding my bike.
I am fortunate to live in an area where I experience all four seasons. Fortunate, I guess.
It’s hot and humid in the summer, bitter cold in the winter, and it rains in the spring and the fall.
Hmm – writing it out makes it seem pretty rough.
But each season brings a different feeling I am grateful for. The smells and colors of the fall. The joy and flowers of the spring. The heat of the summer. And of course the horrible despair of the winter…
Each season has its challenges and perks.
But just like the world, your racing and training also have seasons.
And right now, you should be approaching your offseason.
The off-season is not as exciting as race season or even pre-race season, but it’s still awesome.
It’s a time to work on your weaknesses because your time is not restricted by an upcoming race.
During race season, you don’t want to add or do anything that risks injury. You have worked hard, and you need to get to the start line so you can hit your goals.
But the off-season is your chance to add something to your strengths and take risks.
The first thing you should do is evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and then chose the appropriate course of training.
You have a lot of options. You can add more volume, add a strength training plan, do more yoga, and improve your mobility, you could focus on your diet and body composition. You could get a coach to help set up a full season plan, just sayin’.
Here are a few more Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind during your offseason.
- Don’t stop running.
- Don’t race too often.
- Don’t do too much too soon.
- Do slowly build your miles.
- Do set goals.
- Do work on weaknesses.
- Do add strength to your repertoire.
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