| OFFSEASONS |
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| Monday, 16 November 2009 08:09 |
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Relax time ??? Training time ??? Both ??? Other ???? All of it ????? No Offseason ????? Hard to know what goes on in every cyclist’s offseason, if they ever have it? Hard to know if there is a proper protocol that everyone should follow soon after they are done with every season. For sure… Some rest is always good, but it really just depends of how the year went for you.
I have found this time very interesting for me, and very exciting part of every year. It’s time where we see what went good, what went wrong, etc, etc… And from there, we make adjustments so we can go better for the next season. Maybe add this, take this off, ride more, ride less, eat more, eat less, and all that…
There’s all this different activities you can do at this time of the year that will make you come back to the bike stronger than before. Just the resting itself will make you better, mentally and physically. So whatever changes you do, I think as long as you are pretty burned up from the season, you will improve soon after.
I have read, and approached in many different ways every single offseason I’ve had. Some go better than others, but it’s always an interesting learning process, and I believe is where you get to know more about physical preparation, and when your mind works better than any other time.
When I am racing, and traveling, it’s hard to have the mind together, and I mostly just want to race my bike. But now… I have all this winter to do whatever I want until I hit my first few races in January!. Until then I can train as much, or however I want, without worrying I won’t recover for next week’s race, or anything else. I can just put the work down knowing its purpose for the present, and future, and enjoy it.
Off the bikes activities are always enjoyable. Things that I have found so far that increase your performance on the bike offseason are: Yoga, Weight Training, Running, Swimming, Hiking, Core Work, and having FUN!. Being careful with the last one is always good too….
Besides training, there are also other things that come into place during the offy. Some of them like staying at one place for a while, seeing family members, and friends more often, and enjoying the time with them. I don’t know about everyone else, but personally I like saving up traveling energy for the season during the offseason too. Trying not to move around too much during the winter always helps me be very excited about the long trips that every season brings!
All and all. Offseasons are fun, enjoyable. It’s where you spend the most time with yourself, and with the bike on the roads, and where you put a good amount of hours out there! I am looking forward for a very exciting winter, and very exciting 2010 season now. Hope everyone is on the same boat, and I wish you all the very best!!!
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