Off Season...and a cold winter ride

I have to say I have been thoroughly enjoying the offseason.  Since Austin in the end of October I have basically been doing whatever I have felt like.  It has kind of looked like this:  maybe a 3-5 mile run on a nice day outside, a spin class here and there, and some nice swims that have been short and sweet.  After last season I really needed to take some time off...both my mind and my body!
I ended the season with a couple injuries...one that I am still exactly not sure what it is, but it is feeling better!  I have spent my time with chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists rather then actually training!  Luckily, I have been referred to some awesome people who have been so great to offer suggestions and techniques to try.  So with that being said, maybe I have enjoyed my off season too much! 

I was invited to go to St. George over New Years...yes, that meant ditching my husband on New Years Eve!  In those 24 hours I put in more training then I have in the past two months!  It included an awesome swim workout at the pool that coach suggested to conclude 2012...20 100's with a 12 second rest.  I had serious doubts about that, but "everyone else was going to do it!"  So...I did as well.  It was actually a great workout and I was glad I did it when I was done.  That evening was filled with visiting with training buddies and washing down my salt covered Kestrel from the ride down.  The weather was going to be COLD for a bike ride the next day.  I have rules...they include not riding if it is below 45 degrees.  This bike ride was definitely going to be against the rules and I wasn't completely set on going out.  Which meant a great run New Years morning through the hills of Bloomington with great company. Then some breakfast and off to the bike.  Did I mention it was cold?  Yes, 31 degrees when we got on our bikes!  We looked like marshmallows!  We ended up biking 40 miles and it actually wasn't too bad after the first few minutes....maybe we all just went numb?  And, yes, the bike ride reminded me I have REALLY enjoyed my off season!  It definitely wasn't the ride I had two months ago.  But, that is what off season is for.  To let our bodies and minds recover, maybe put on a couple pounds, enjoy not having structure,  and spending more time with family so that we can be ready to rebuild our speed for another great year of racing! I was set on taking that off season break and I am looking forward to the pay offs this coming year as I build back my endurance and speed.