Countdown To Outdoor

With this neverending string of snow storms, it's hard to believe that the off-season is actually winding down. It is now March, the sixth and last month of "official" off-season. A few days ago, I received a newsletter from Carmichael Training System saying that now's the time to kick up the intensity of off-season training in anticipation for the outdoor season. I mentioned this to coach SZ and she agrees.

SZ gave me a new training program yesterday with lots of specific detail on each of my workouts. I did a two-hour ride today at the gym following her direction. Normally my typical Saturday two-hour ride at steady pace is quite boring because there's nothing good on the television and the time just drag on. However, these new workouts consist of many small pieces varying in cadence and intensity so there's always a change of pace just around the corner. The two hours flew by easily.

I don't know about others but I feel a bit of pressure at this time of year. In a way, it's similar to coming to the end of Study Week in school and exam is not far behind. Have I done my homework to meet the deadlines for all those end of term projects?  Have I study enough to be ready for exams? In a few weeks, I will find out if I train hard enough and smart enough during the off-season. Although I know that I put in my share of hardwork in the last few months, it's difficult not to think that perhaps I should have done more.