The fall seems to be an odd time for triathletes…disarray. There is a sense of lost identity. The days are shorter, making mid week cycling workouts more challenging to get in. And most are mentally exhausted from a long season. The injury bug may have even crept up on you as well.
Stop. Sit down. Rest. Don’t get up….for 2 weeks.
Really. Everyone needs some time off to let the body rejuvenate, mentally and physically. With the Boston University athletes I work with, we give them 2+ weeks off after a long training block &/or competition period.
Here’s the typical pattern I notice:
During the 1st week, almost no one shows up on their own to do a ‘shake out’ workout (a light workout just to break a sweat and feel alive again). This tells me that mentally, they needed the break. Even if their body is telling them they want to work out, their brain is tell them no. Somewhere around the middle of the 2nd week, athletes will start to make their way in for a light workout. And by the end of the 2nd week, a rough majority of the athletes will have come in for at least one workout. Mentally, some of them are ready to start some type of training again. Some need a little more time.
Why is this important? Because the mind is primary. If your head isn’t ready for the training, then you won’t get very much quality work done regardless of the little amount of training or intense training you are doing. Mindful, QUALITY WORK – constantly working on technique, improving weaknesses, working in the present, never drifting mentally, setting and achieving daily practice, set, and repetition goals.
So…Stop. Sit down. Let your head rest.
After 2 weeks, stand up. Dust your legs off and start your goal setting (long term goals, daily training goals, competition goals) for next season. After all, you’ve earned it.
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