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The holidays are upon us.
We’ve just enjoyed turkey and pumpkin pie at the family Thanksgiving dinner and soon we’ll be celebrating the Christmas holidays and all the good food and spirits that entails.
Following all that fun, we’ll head into the new year, which we triathletes refer to as The 2017 race season. No doubt you’ve already signed up for your “A” race for the year. It’s an exciting time – thinking about this new goal and the journey that lies ahead.
So what happens next?
I suggest you take a very structured and well-planned approach to the year.
This upcoming journey will conclude with your goal race.
Step One is to mark that date on your calendar. Step Two is to note in the calendar every important known date (personal, family, work, etc) that will affect your training and racing plans. There will, of course, be other things that will come up during the year, and these things can be added as you go along.
Your focus should now be on planning to arrive at the start line of your “A” race in top form. To do this, develop a plan that includes the following critical training phases:
The amount of time spent on each phase will depend on the individual athlete. A word of advice: Do not skimp on the Base phase. This is when you’ll be building the foundation upon which the rest of your training will depend. A strong base of aerobic endurance will support the upcoming intense training with less risk of injury. Block out these training phases in your calendar. Get help from a coach if you’re unsure about how to structure this.
Block out these training phases in your calendar. Get help from a coach if you’re unsure about how to structure this.What Happens in Training Races Happens in Goal Races
Competing in training races in preparation for your “A” race can be very helpful. Some benefits include:
Things to think about with training races include:
You now have a written guide for the season: a structured, well-planned approach to the year. Of course, things will change. Stuff happens. But with a written plan, you’re far more able to manage unexpected events. The plan will raise your odds of staying on track, always moving forward towards that “A” goal.
Good luck
If there is anything society has come to realize over the last century, it is that women are just as powerful, smart, ambitious, and capable as men. And while society as a whole is still catching up as far as true equality, the facts are evident when you look at some of the most incredible and influential people today.
When it comes to fitness, however, men and women are not the same. The natural, physiological differences necessitate unique approaches to achieve optimal results. While the fundamental science behind attaining a shredded, lean physique is basically the same for both sexes, the exact steps and application require careful consideration.
One thing I've learned is that injuries can be great teachers. There are so many lessons to be learned from the injuries we experience. They force us to slow down and evaluate our bodies on a deeper level. Like many, I'm guilty of sometimes taking my healthy days for granted. When we pick up an injury, we're suddenly motivated to learn everything we can about that specific injury. We're also dedicated to the necessary rehab it will take to overcome the injury and strengthen our weak areas.
As with many injuries, I've learned there are no "quick fixes" for my stubborn Achilles. Over the years, I've also learned there are no "get fit quickly" schemes.