Getting Ready to Roll

I met with my coach last week and we went over my goals for 2016. Thankfully, he didn’t laugh me out of the coffee shop and I am seriously SO EXCITED for what next year has in store. He is busily setting a plan in motion and me? I am enjoying my final week completely off of training. What have I been up to in order to be in tip top shape for December 1?

1. Blazing through SUITS. 

This show has my heart. I love the wardrobe, the drama and the fact there are seemingly endless episodes. 

2. Baking up a storm. 

I have taken the newly discovered time and have tried out so many new recipes. One of my favourites from last week were these three ingredient sweet potato blondies from Big Mans World. They are healthy but they taste exactly like a brownie. Winning.

3. Cross training like a champ.

I’ve been cycling for base building and doing plyometrics for explosive strength. This weekend, I tried out Eat Spin Run Repeat’s Plyo Tabata workout in my living room in between cleaning up my apartment. Multi tasking at it’s finest.

4. Weight lifting. 

I do not do heavy weight lifting during my racing season because I find it makes me more prone to injury, my legs are already getting an intense load from my workouts and because it builds unnecessary bulk for me because I put on muscle quickly. I take advantage of weights in my off season to make sure I am strong and ready for training. I will be lifting heavy weights until the end of December.

5. Sleeping. 

Like a sleep ninja. I am talking like 9 hours a night. I am bright eyed and bushy tailed and I feel so dang good.

6. Deep tissue massage.

During my race season, I don’t get a lot of massages because it is not beneficial to start manipulating things while racing. I am taking the opportunity to dig deep into those muscles and work out some nasty knots right now.

7. Addressing imbalances. 

I am doing a lot of single leg work to make sure I am balanced when I get back to training. Because I was hit on my left side, it is weaker right now so single leg work is hugely beneficial.

8. Walking. 

Everywhere. Instead of building volume with running, I will take a long route and my music and head out for an hour or two on the days when my schedule isn’t jam packed. It is relaxing and gives me a fix of the real reason why I run – to be outside.

9. Protein heavy diet. 

I’m not doing a ton of cardio at the moment so I am focusing on a protein heavy diet with lots of lentils, eggs, salmon and nuts. I am a carb evangelist but even I lighten up on them when I am not going full force. Speaking of diet, I am seeing my naturopath at the beginning of December to make sure I am on the right track and eating like a champion for next year!

10. Just having fun. 

It has been fun to stay out later and not worry about fuelling or sleep for the long run in the morning. It also conveniently is gala season at work – I had four events last week alone and am headed into another full week. It’s a rough life.