With the cooler temperatures, decrease in daylight, and limited racing opportunities, the off season can be a hard time for many athletes to make and follow a training plan. We find that one thing that can help structure the fall and winter training months, is to build out a race plan for the following season. In other words, it’s time to determine your 2024 racing calendar and goals!
Let’s say that your primary goal for 2024 is to complete the WI 70.3 in September. It could be difficult to get through the off-season with only having this one race in mind. We recommend putting together a racing schedule that includes more events and gives you some short-term goals. It's a good idea to get in some early season racing to shake off the cobwebs, regardless of your goal race distance. Doing some sprint races in late May and early June is a great way to get back into the triathlon racing groove. For the 70.3, it would be a good idea to race a few more sprints and maybe an Olympic or two throughout July and August. Short course racing is ideal for 70.3 preparation because it provides an opportunity to build speed, strength, and endurance in an actual race setting and requires less recovery time.
There are a few things to consider as you plan out your racing schedule based on some common mistakes we see as coaches:
1) Racing too much without allowing enough time for recovery
2) Not racing enough causing the body and brain to feel flat
3) Unrealistic expectations from setting goals that are outside the scope of one’s training and/or fitness levels
4) Neglecting to consider life stressors and obligations that could interfere with training and racing
Once you have thoughtfully considered your options and your 2024 racing plan is in place, you can then structure your off-season training in a way that makes the most sense for your short and long-term racing goals. This might mean that even if your “A” race is completing a 70.3 in September, your off-season training may not be long- course specific. Each training cycle is a building block that will ultimately help you achieve your long-term goals. We hope that these recommendations will give you guidance as you develop and implement an off-season training plan and set you up for success in the 2024 season!
If you’re interested in a FREE Coaching Consultation where we will talk through your goals and how to set up your training this off season, for Madison and Remote (non Madison based), reach out here!
Did you know that our head coach Cindi coached at the London Olympics? Coach Jess is an IRONMAN Wisconsin Age Group Champion! Coach Steve guided the 2019 IRONMAN Wisconsin Overall Age Group Female Champion? Check out our awesome coaches here!