I have been fairly busy of late as I have taken on an op with Planet X to fill some of my spare time with. I have started up training in the mean time and as I sit here and contemplate I realize that I really am in the off-season. I mean the past years have also had somewhat of an off-season but I would normally be south and training for a winter race. Right now I have different objectives and no push to be fit in Dec. Jan or Feb. This is pretty normal for most pro’s but me it is an abnormal and relaxing feeling. I have some very clear goals before me for 2010 and am setting objectives that are going to enable me to achieve them. It is more than jsut training hard and getting fit, which normally the case. I think to live through a winter will harden me up and give me the chance to get my core strength and flexibility back up to snuff and to up my game in swimming and running. I am doing a lot of dynamics training to improve my effeciency and strengthen weak muscle groups. In the spring I will really ramp my bike mileage and by next summer I will be at a new race level… that is the plan. I will have lots of saved up power by then, that is to be sure!
I realized it is time to stop playing journeyman and make a real attack on acheiving my career goals. In order to do that you got to be 100% on the start line. The way I have been racing the past years on the road, and doing 4-5-6 IM distance a year, you are always at 85-90% and that is the difference between fighting for wins or trudging in for 5th to 10th.. or WORSE!! My coach Susanne Buckenlei has helped bring this to my attention and is full board with the new plan.. (well, of course. She is writing!). My sponsors Magic-Sportfood.de and Planet-X are also on board and giving me the oportunity to earn a little money on the side while not taking away from my training time! What could be better!
Anyway, I took the time during my break to have some crazy fun too, as you can see in the photos!
adios!
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