Take A Break

Triathletes seem to have a lot of trouble taking time off and having a break from the sport.  Whether it is for injury, change in training, or a re-shift of race goals, triathletes seem to absolutely fear forfeiting a day from our sport. 

I see it every winter when triathletes move from triathlon to running.  Without a moment to spare, they have moved to the next PR goal.  Season over?  Time to run a marathon.  Had some weaknesses you want to address from the previous season?  Hit the track day 1. 

I do believe consistency is what makes or breaks you in this sport.  Yes, you need to be training day in and day out at a consistent, sustainable level for long periods of time.  It takes years and miles to become good. 

But, if you have to take time off or choose to take time off, you will be fine.  I think that sentence sounds like nails on a chalk board to the triathlete ear.  Ask a triathlete to take a small break post season or to rest an injury, and they are out running the next day in spite of themselves.  No breaks!

"But I will get slower, lose my edge, gain weight..... "  Well, sure.  Maybe.  For a little while.  And in the meantime you might repair, gain health, improve your marriage, refresh your brain, work on your flexibility, treat an injury, or just get super excited about setting some new goals. 

I think breaks can be a good thing!  They might even be integral in longevity with sport.  Don't fear them if they come your way.  

I have at least twice had to take significant time off from sport.  The first time was right after my last college soccer season.  All of  a sudden, I went from daily practice to absolutely nothing.  There just wasn't anything for me to do!  I didn't go all crazy and sign up for a million new sports or become a 3 hour a day treadmill girl in the gym.  I think I just sat there, worked, finished school, dated Dave, drank some beers, and just let it be.  I am sure I got chubby.  It was fine.  Maybe 8 months or so later I found a team, and the next 4-5 years were some of the best playing of my life.  Sitting out all of that time without being super intense did not make me lose my edge.  It was just a break- nothing more.   

In 2009 when I had knee surgery, I had to sit out again.  While everyone else seemed to have super aggressive rehab plans after their injuries so they could be fast ASAP, I recall doing A LOT of 1 minute jog/3 minute walks for just 5-10 minutes total.  I didn't even run a full 3 miles for 5-6 months.  Why the rush?  Take a break!  Heal!!!  Sure, I was slow when I started again.  It was hard mentally and physically.  But, I was fine.  It came back and then some.  I was a better triathlete after taking a break..

So, breaks can be good.  You aren't less of an athlete.  You don't have to lose touch with the sport.  You aren't going to lose everything if you sit out for a minute.  No, you will not maintain fitness and you won't be immediately back to yourself when you start back up.  But, with a little time and application of your new-found motivation, you will be as good and hopefully better with just a little patience and a lot of work. 

So, I am on break.  I know that sounds self-explanatory, but believe me, it is not.  The 2nd most frequent question I am asked on a daily basis is, "how is training going?"  (The number 1 being "have you picked a name?")

I never really know how to answer this.  I mean, I am not training.  I am taking time off to be pregnant.  (gasp!)  Everyone looks at me cross-eyed!  Surely I am doing a decent amount of S/B/R, right?  Nope.  This just seems to boggle the triathlete mind.  But triathletes are boggling my mind!  What would I be training for?  Faster times?  Aint' going to happen.  Increased distance?  Not a chance.  To prove I can run well/long/fast while pregnant?  Well, I can't!  I am happy to exercise some, but even happier to get a good night's sleep, which doesn't seem like it is going to happen ever again as I keep waking up at 3am.

Training indicates that you are actually working towards something.  I know this sounds odd, but I am not working on anything right now.  I am just being.  I am not trying to maintain, gain, change, or anything.  I am not trying to achieve a certain weight or body composition immediately after delivery or signing up for a race 6 weeks from giving birth.  I do have some goals, but they are not immediate.  So, I am not addressing them now.

I am just taking a break to do some other wonderful things.  I will be back, and it will be great!  Yes, I will have to work my way back into shape, but that sounds so much better than trying to pound my poor, pregnant body into an oblivion right now. 

So, triathletes...do not fear time off.  Use it to your advantage to heal, rest, or take care of things.  The sport will still be here when you get back, and with some smart training, you will be better than ever.