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What you do now will set up 2023 for success…..or sabotage!
It’s entirely in your hands.
“Welcome to Q4. ….while it is a time to relax and recharge, it's also the time of year we create the foundation upon which your entire next season of training and racing will be built.”
If you are a PPF athlete, then you read those words at the first of this month. October 3rd started our entry into the Refine & Refresh Early Post-Season work.So, many good things that are part of this phase of the year: rejuvenation, technical development, nailing the basics….etc.
What is one of the most important things you can do? You can upgrade the machine.
That’s right. Once you maximize your body’s potential, then it’s time to give the body an upgrade.
As we say around here: evolve or die ;)
So it’s time to lean into strength training. But how should we frame it?
Focus: During the race season, the focus is truly on SBR and strength is there supporting. Often, this can feel a bit like an afterthought. Now we arrive at the time of year when you can truly move strength to the forefront. While other elements of your training take a supporting role.
Bravery: Many athletes fear lifting heavy. There is a time of year when race focus that we mostly avoid the heavier weights. But now is the time to get “strong like bull!” Don’t fear heavy. Be okay with being sore. Be okay getting outside your comfort zone.
Intensity: Many triathletes execute strength with a bit of a ho-hum attitude- a ‘going through the motion” mindset. Bring your track run session mindset to your strength sessions for a while. When you go, GO HARD. All in. Let the HR spike. Be okay with gasping for air at times.
Fun: Following Coach Mikey through the strength sessions in the comfort of your own home is an awesome benefit to Purple Patch coaching. It is convenient and efficient. However, there is benefit to joining a group session once a week. Much like having one of your weekly swims be a group - even masters swim- is a great addition. As is, having that weekend group ride. So, I encourage you to be brave and join a local group strength session as well. It could be CrossFit, HITT, Orange Theory, whatever. The group dynamic will PUSH you hard - and that is great.
2 final things to address:
- There is progression and safety. Form over speed or weight. Quality moves pace your speed and weight.
- We often talk about about group sessions being non-specific and random. However, you’ll keep the specificity through the Purple Patch strength program and then gain the benefits of the group workout. It’s the perfect time of year for this addition.