Enter the Dark - Why Base Building Doesn't Work

Look quick - you may not see it for quite a while.  Daylight savings time ends this weekend.  Sunset on Sunday is FOUR fifty five (4:55 pm).  Then it gets earlier for 6 weeks finally starting to get later on December 11.

Historically a lot of triathletes try to use the off season to build their base.  This means trying to increase their endurance through a lot of aerobic (low) effort.  Long slow runs, time in the saddle, chasing the black line back and forth in the pool.  Building your base IS a good thing.

But here's what often happens.  It's cold.  It's dark. It's boring.  It's the holidays.  I'll do it tomorrow (or the day after).  The base doesn't get built.  Weight goes up, performance goes down and we spend the first weeks of spring trying to undo the damage.

At Tri For It! the dark months are NOT spent with hours of low level base building.  At the end of the season Coach Rich sits down with each athlete and asks a few questions:

• Who/What have you neglected due to your training?
• What else do you like to do?
• What limited your performance last season?

Triathlon is a demanding pursuit - it can gobble up time.  If we're not careful other areas of our lives can be short changed.  Now is a great time to take stock, check in with those you love (or who put food on your table) and make sure everything is o.k.

Maybe you have (gasp) other hobbies or interests.  Take advantage of the end of the season and pursue them.  Some other hobbies - skiing, cyclocross, mountain biking, snowshoeing, or hockey may actually provide benefits to your triathlon performance.

The last question is the most critical (for your coach).  Take a look at your performances - what worked and what needs work.  We'll focus on improving the things that need work and improving technique and efficiency.  The workouts will be shorter and focused.  You will go into next season faster, stronger, more efficient.