The Off-Season is For . . . Well . . . Being OFF (plus Song Lyrics for the Week Ending 12/25)

At one of the races I did this year, I unknowingly subscribed to Lava Magazine.  It has been one of the most awesome forgetful moments ever.  I love the technical articles, gear reviews, triathlon recaps and training tips, plus the mag is gorgeous and has interesting "did you know" tidbits (for example, did you know that the world record  pace for men's marathoning is a 4:43 mile? What the shit?!! I can barely do twice that for a 5k, let alone 26.2). 

Anyway, this month there is a fantastic article about the off season, which I thought was pertinent because SO many of us are sitting around thinking . . . man, I'm off it right now . . . I really need to get back on it.  

The point of the article was this: the off-season is for being OFF.  Meaning, you cut your workout volume in about half, and you do as much as you (honestly) can, trying not to indulge TOO much, but knowing that the holidaze are busy and hectic, you don't sweat the rest. Coach Julia and I had the same discussion.  You need to rest so that you can attack the 2012 season with renewed vigor (and legs).

At first this concept killed me.  I felt like a lazy slug.  Then I decided to pull my workout logs to see just how lazy I was.  I saw a half marathon . . . several 3-6 hour weeks . . . and, even on the light weeks a couple runs and rides.  I did a 5k run on Christmas Eve and worked out 4-5 days most weeks.  I even fit in a strength workout.

Aside from having a hard time getting to the pool because of limited hours, I'm not doing bad.

So, I hope you enjoy both your holidaze AND your OFF-season.  As long as you aren't going on all-night food-and-booze benders every week, look forward to a fantastic 2012 and remember that it's for being OFF.

And now the song lyrics for the week . . . inspired by the fact that 2012 is about me learning to be stronger and faster, learning to push to new speeds and "Race in the Red."  Granted, the Breathe Carolina song is about partying, but some of it also fits racing.  These are the parts I sing to myself as I'm hitting my lactate threshold and thinking this off-season is gonna make me so strong that 2012 ain't gonna know what hit it sideways.



Caught up and I can't feel my hands

No need to chase
Can you relate?
Can you keep up the pace like you're dying for this?
.....
I'm only getting started
I won't blackout
This time I've got nothing to waste
Let's go a little harder
I'm on fire
I won't blackout
I'm on my way
I'm only getting started
......
This won't stop 'til I say so

This won't stop 'til I say so
This won't stop 'til I say so
Going and going and going and going and go

I'm only getting started

I won't blackout
This time I've got nothing to waste
Let's go a little harder
I'm on fire
I won't blackout
I'm on my way
I'm only getting started


-Breathe Caroline, Blackout