Where is your focus this winter?

The holidays have come an gone, the ball has dropped in Times Square and supermarkets have started selling Peeps, (one of my favorites) marking the unofficial start of spring.

Yes, there is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel that is the perpetual grayness of winter. Like everyone else my training days have been filled with hours on the trainer, or watching the miles tick by on the treadmill, or wondering if there really is an end to that black line on the bottom of the pool. Mentally it is also a period of transition. It’s time to switch from a maintenance mentality to a sharper, more purpose driven focus.

They say during triathlon that you shouldn’t focus on what’s ahead of you, that you should live in the moment. That may work during a race, but in the winter it couldn’t be further from the truth.

My high school football coach used to say, "championships are won in the summer." What he meant was you had to put in the time in the off season to excel in the regular season. That’s the approach I’ve been taking this winter.

I rededicated myself to the gym this off season. Last winter I neglected it and it showed during the season. I didn’t feel as fit and as strong as I thought I should be. I managed to grab a couple top 5’s and even managed to win a race, but in the big races I was average at best. I had put in the volume, done the intervals, but just couldn’t keep the pace. The difference in my mind was the off season prep work. That changed this year. I used last season’s results to motivate me to get into the gym. I remembered what it felt like getting passed by guys and knowing I didn’t have another gear to dial up. Now I fully understand and appreciate what my coach was trying to instill.

PR’s and podium finishes aren’t made on race day. They’re made now. They’re made in the frigid pre dawn hours spent on the trainer, on the treadmill, in the pool, and in the gym when it would be easier to hit the snooze and go back to sleep. It’s the early season base building that wins awards. That extra mile per hour you gain on the bike, or the 3 seconds per 100 you drop in the pool, or the 10 seconds per mile you drop on the run here in the winter will pay dividends later on this summer.

That’s been my motivation this winter, hopefully your winter has been just as productive. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please share some feedback on what your focus is this winter!

-Ian

Hello Ian
Great post! You are spot on! What you are doing now- focusing on the task at hand, working smart and performing quality workouts rather than haphazard training, will make a difference this season and beyond! You are growing so much as an athlete. Just within the last year, both Coach Rob and I have seen tremendous growth in both your mental training and your physical awareness of your body in training and racing. You are now able to step back and look at the big picture. You are processing all components from swimming, cycling, running, stretching, functional strength training, nutrition, rest, recovery and mental training. This is going to help you climb higher in the sport of triathlon and in life! Keep the quality high, stay consistent and keep your eye on the prize come Nov 2010!
Great stuff Ian!
-Coach Kel

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