Off Season

My newest Splish swimsuit features a cute little penguin family huddled among snowflakes on the front - and the words "off season" spread to the limit across my not so petite bottom.

Off season - with Ironwoman Canada's help, I've been working on "getting it" a bit more this year.

After IMFL in 2007, my endorphins were running so high that I continued training as if another Ironman race was on the immediate schedule.

2008 ended with training efforts focused on late season half IMs and marathons.

My 2009 "A" race was IMUSA in July - followed by my final "B" race - the Giant Acorn Olympic race - in early October. Meaning that off season started earlier this year - and on a bit of an "off" note.

Alas, as well as the 2-5 pound weight gain fluctuation.

Even with a little extra pudge, I've been striving to understand and trust the benefits of off season. I'm still training 6-10 hours per week, but trying to make all those hours enjoyable.

I look forward to swim and bike workouts - without the pressure of upcoming races. I've been incredibly annoyed by rainy weekend weather forecasts. I've been itching to bike on beautiful days - but have cut workouts short - or even skipped workouts - if the weather was crappy.

But those nice bike riding days...have made my heart flutter. I've relished moments casually cruising through beautiful scenery or pushing harder speeds.

These past few weeks, I've started to feel a twinge bit more comfortable about running. I've headed out without my Garmin and enjoyed the cooler temperatures, the fall leaves - and lately - the Christmas lights. I've tried to focus on technique, no matter what the distance - hoping to create a new and better imprint.

Trust and acceptance - maybe a few months of physical and mental rest and rejuvination will actually be beneficial vs. detrimental for next season.

We'll see.