Aw, the beauty of the "off" season

or I would like to call the "on" season.

I guess the off season relates well to me. I was actually looking forward to this training since before Canada- I was excited for Ironman- but I just love putting in big blocks of focused training. Ironman training was so set in terms of getting in each workout for each sport that it feels really good to spend some time focusing on your "weak" points. You also can see the hard work paying off, as you focus solely on one discipline verses all three.

Also, I feel like it relates to swimming really well. In USS swimming you may train and focus for 2 meets a year- one in the spring, one at the end of summer. Triathlon seems to have a pretty busy season- I did a race end of June, July, August, and beginning of October (plus all the little local runs and ---some races)...so its really comforting to me to realize that I have until next June-ish until I have to gear up (mentally) for a race.

I actually sat down the other night and planned out my off season goals, and what I would like to accomplish by the end of this training season (as well as daily and weekly goals). I know this might be viewed as a little bit ridiculous and over-done but I find that if its all laid out and planned- that it will happen. You just have to have the plan and execute it.

My plan just got significantly more interesting after getting a very thoughtful and encouraging email over the weekend.

And by interesting- I mean my new goal is absolutely nuts. Totally crazy- but totally achievable- as long as I approach it with an open mind- and a strong willingness to improve.

Check.

Day one:

Bike still pretty sad looking in 4 parts- Stressful day on the pool deck coaching- had only 45 minutes (debated- for 10 minutes- whether I should go shop at Runner's soul or go swim with the club team)...hopped in with channel cats.

First day swimming since Kona. 7 x 400 (for time) 5:00 alt. Free and IM. 1 x 100 warmup, 1 x100 warm down. Ouch.

And thus begins the "off" (awesome) season! Happy Training!

Love, Erin