Yesterday I typed the last entry in my 2008-2009 training log...
(Photo credit: Heather Thamm)
And today is the commencement of a new training year.
A year in life of a skier is 13 "months," each of which is composed of 4 weeks. During each of these "periods," as well as longer blocks of specified time, we concentrate on certain types of training while also paying attention to overall fitness and the larger picture. Sometimes our training is more volume (or time) specific, meaning we're working on distance workouts and longer sessions. Other times the training is intensity-focused, and we do more harder efforts than normal to work on speed and race pace work.
Yesterday was the last day of the last week of the 13th month of my training year, and today, April 27, 2009 is the first day of the first week of the first month of the 2009-2010 season!
The last four week "month" of every training year is basically our only down time of the season. After the last race of the season, which for me was US Distance Nationals in Fairbanks, my team, and all the other skiers I know, take a break from structured training. I listen to my body and my mind and am as active (or inactive) as I like. Some years I need some time to recover, both mentally and physically. Other years all I want to do is keep training hard. No matter what, I always give myself a little break, and I do activities that I will have less time to do come "normal" training.
This spring I took one week pretty much off (with a few short runs here and there). After that I went on a short vacation to Southern Utah where I camped and experienced the beauty of the desert on foot. I visited my grandparents in St. George, Utah and saw as much of Snow Canyon State Park and Zion National Park as I could. I finished the trip with a stop in Seattle to catch up my best childhood friend.
Camping in Zion National Park
Hiking in Snow Canyon State Park.
Now normal training has resumed, and I am happy to be back to business. I like the cyclical nature of my life as an athlete. I love the gratification of a season completed, but I also relish the opportunity to start fresh with a new season ahead. 2008-2009 is now in the past, and 2009-2010 is here!
APU Women ski at Hatcher Pass, Alaska.
(Photo credit: Heather Thamm)
