Out of season racing

With Age Group Nationals AND the Women’s IM World Championships behind us, we’ve wrapped up some big races here in the tri community recently! The summer is limping to a close, even if it doesn’t feel like it everywhere.

For some of you, though, your A race isn’t in the rearview mirror just yet. You may be working towards that late season race, or you might be just building into a fall/winter marathon or destination race. While racing happens worldwide all year, it’s still a highly seasonal sport. Choosing a big one “out of season” can be hard this time of year! You’re just ramping up while your friends & training buddies are all wrapped up. They’re out at happy hour, and you’re happy just to get in that second workout for the day and get to bed!

But you’ve come all this way - continue to prepare for the big day with intent.

✅ Think about the finish line. Remind yourself what success looks like at the finish and envision it daily.

✅ Look forward to what’s next, and how sweet that off season will feel!

✅ Give yourself some grace! Without getting derailed, allow some flexibility in shortening sessions or moving days around if you need to choose social events/kid’s sports/rest over the grind. Your coach is your greatest partner in helping you work through these decisions.

✅ Show up for yourself. Group workouts may be thinning out, but remember the race is solo! This can be a good time to lean back into specificity.

✅ Keep your countdown in a way that excites you! Sometimes physically crossing off a day versus just seeing it in an app can feel satisfying as you approach the end.

A late season A race can feel a long way off, but if you break it down into stages and really lean in, you’ll be toeing the start and flying into the finish before you know it!