Couch Potatoes Rule

The snow is falling, and I am still in my PJs on Sunday afternoon at 1:30. I haven’t done any physical activity except sit-up straight at my desk as I write and work on my computer. I am not in couch potato mode yet, but I feel myself getting ready for it. I still have my goal of riding 1,000 miles on my time trial bike for 2012. i have 146 miles to go as i write. I will get those miles in, all on my trainer before the year ends. I am so excited to check this goal off my list as i have made it my end of year challenge. My official couch potato mode will start on January 2nd then end January 8th 2013. My plan is to celebrate the end of 2012 and the start of 2013 with a 10k race on the 1st. Perhaps the traditional plunge in the Atlantic to follow. After that i’ll move into 6 solid days of doing nothing, to rest, really rest for my upcoming 2013 season.
It can be a challenge to rest, but it can be the base for a better new season. I enjoy telling my athletes to kick back for at least a week. Two weeks can be really great if you’re doing longer events such as half iron’s or full. Athletes may underestimate just how much their body goes through in a season. There can be some fear of loss of fitness during this time. There is some, but that’s a good thing for the body to go through cycles. One of those cycles is to rest and rejuvenate both body and mind. I don’t think it’s good to try to push your mind and body year round. What if we have only so many hard efforts in a lifetime? In attempt not to use up all those hard efforts, i am thinking, it may be good to spread them out over several years.
There can be guilt on the athletes part about taking time off. To relieve guilt, it’s nice to have a coach give the “permission” to take the rest. As a coach I am down with that, I can be responsible for this kick back and relax prescription. I believe there is more to lose by not resting than by resting. A tired burnt out athlete can’t reach beyond if they are starting in the tank before the gun is fired! However, the risk of being slightly under prepared vs overtrained is better in my view. If you’re slightly under trained but rested and mentally clear, we, as humans, can always go much further than we think. Here the sky is the limit!
Couch potatoes can rule at the right time!