The Off-Season......

For some it may be the off-season, for others it may be the cross season, for me it is definitely the off-season. This season has been a long one since the first triathlon back in April and going through mid-September. It's now time from some R&R before getting back in a week or so for some serious base training with the powermeter on the bike and some long-distance running readying for a late Fall marathon.

As is the case with most Ironman athletes you learn new things every Ironman and this year was no exception for me. I know what I need to do for IM Wisconsin in 2011 and the winter and spring will be key for that!

In the meantime, it's the off-season and I get to eat a little more and drink a lot more! This past week I probably managed to have more beer in three days than the last 6 months. I'm not a big drinker anyway and so last week could be classed a big session for me. We headed to the Nationals on Friday night and spent most of the night watching the game from the Centerfield bar (which is very cool, go check it out if you haven't already).

Saturday was our annual trip to the Monster Mile in Dover and that wouldn't be the same without a few adult beverages! To top it off Kyle Busch put on a driving lesson and won the race after leading for 191 of the 200 laps :-) Danica P. managed to drive into the wall and made a mess of her car.....replays showed that she was looking for makeup in her bag in the passenger seat at the time (joking!)

Sunday was the finale of the weekend with the ABRT end of season BBQ at the home of team mate Michel! With the keg of Sam Adams Boston Lager being my responsibility it would have been rude not to test it out........the beer drinking was fueled by the deep fried twinkies and deep fried oreos (don't knock them until you have tried them).

So there you have it, the not so overly glamorous off-season shenanigans of a Ironman triathlete. If all goes to plan, this time next year I'll be swimming off of Dig-Me Beach, biking down the Queen K and running out to the Energy Lab. And that's the big-reason to make the most of the short off-season and get back to the annual training plan.

You Need to go to a Cross Race.....

Up until this past Sunday at the Hyattsville CX, I had never actually spectated at a cross race. I had raced when back in the UK, yep....cold, muddy and disgusting! So we decided to have an easy recovery ride out to Hyattsville from the usual ABRT meeting place in Davidsonville and cheer on some of the ABRT guys and gals racing.

Fortunately Stu's wife drove to the race with Sarah and so after a 2-hour ride, we could chill out, drink a few beers and then grab a lift home....nice! The weather couldn't have been any better, the beer was cold (and cheap!) and ABRT rider Christine Wehlburg went and won the women's race. A great day out for ABRT and a great day for cross spectating.....after the cool event that was put on at Hyattsville, I think we will have more "recovery" rides out to cross races this season (only as long as we can grab a lift home from someone).

The next ride will probably be out to the cross at Rosaryville State Park on Nov 8th....any takers? Davidsonville P&R at 9am.........