Transition Period Between Race Season and Navigating Off Season

Fall into winter is always a transition period between the race season and working towards next year’s goals. It can feel almost awkward and confusing on exactly what to do, where to focus and easy to swing too far in different directions. Here is some of my advice for how to navigate this time period.

*Reflect on last years changes and improvements

*Take a bit more time for family, friends and other neglected projects.

*Make a list of things that need to change or improve for your next year’s targets. ( equipment, underlying injuries, nutrition, schedule habits, flexibility, are all some examples)

*Stay somewhere in the middle; Another words stay connected to your routine, habits that work, and things that are important to keep you with your best foot forward.

Be settled with this  more of a relaxed period of time. Take that breath, be o.k. with a little more flexibility and freedome. It’s o.k. and actually necessary, for fitness to drop a little to be able to lift to the next level the coming year.

A little is the key part ;) Not completely OFF, that’s a recipe for disaster if you swing too far in the direction of completely OFF.  Always go back to the rule of “stay somewhere in the middle” when you think on that.

Consider these things:

*The things you fear will be the very things that lift you forward

*With clear communication you’ll have the support from people who matter

*Avoid deciding what you can and can’t do before you try.

*Keep learning and trusting in the people you have set as your mentors, advisors and coaches.

*If it’s hard, keep going!!!! It will get easier. Fall back on your basics.

*Expect to be challenged, expect you can handle it, expect you’ll grow from it.

*Never compare to what was, what if, and what others are doing.

*If you improve a little everyday in some way you are a lot better at the end of 365days.