Break Time

Another season is done and what a great feeling it is. My last race of the season was the prestige NSW Club Champs and to be honest I didn't have the motivation I had 2 weeks ago for dextro (in terms of wanting to race). However, the race was at my home town of Forster and this would be the last opportunity I get to celebrate and spend some quality time with family and friends before my big winter block of training. As I talked amongst some of my closet friends from around NSW, many had the same feeling as I did. With club champs being my last race of the season it meant that as soon as I crossed that finish line I was officially on my break and god did it feel good. It was like an instant mental release. 

Over the weeks leading into this final race I found that I was mentally down and knew I was in need for a break, not so much physically but mentally. It would mean I could wake up in the morning and not have to think about training or how I would structure my busy and stressful day. It would mean I didn't have to set my alarm and could lay in bed for as long as I wished when I woke up. That feeling was one of relief. 

The first week I did absolutely nothing, I had no desire to train, I didn't even want to touch my bike. This was very strange, I thought I would feel like this for maybe 2 or 3 days then really want to get back into it, but nothing.  This all changed while I was having lunch on the 12th day of doing nothing that I found I had an urge to train. I don't know what sparked the feeling. Whether it was watching Timmy Berkel's spectacular run at port ironman, or hearing people criticise a close friend on their selection into a particular squad, or just helping train a good mate as he gets ready to head to Europe. Whatever it was, it got me fired up. 

This period has been the longest time I'd ever had off from training since I started 5 years ago. I was definitely due for a decent break and I now understand why people value their time off so much. I don't think I have ever felt so fresh and ready to train in my life. I can't wait to get back into it next week. It will be the hardest winter block I've ever done, it will charge at me like a bull but I can't wait to grab it by the horns and take it head on.