My Winter/Off Season Goals

Do you ever make winter/off season goals for yourself? I can’t say I do but this year I am changing that.

Like everyone else the recent year (and some) have meant events have been cancelled/rescheduled and that as afforded me the luxury of being able to do as much or as little as I want in terms of training. That is a huge bonus, however, there are some downsides and as I am looking at events for 2022 I was looking at areas to focus on in the coming months so have set myself some goals.

E-Racing

I don’t really have race mentality. I like to see celebrate success in others as well as myself but this year I joined Aeonian Race Team. This team are the most amazing bunch of ladies – super encouraging, supportive, helpful and they really empower each other.

Taking part in races has really thrown my out of my comfort zone but I can see the benefits already and it is something I am keen to continue with. So in some way shape or form I will continue with the racing and to push myself.

Climbing (On The Bike That Is)

I am not a climber. I can get up the hills but I am a lot slower than most others. I find if I ride in a group I set off trying to keep with others and pretty quickly suffer the consequence. It is something I noticed with the racing also, that I would inspect the routes and mentally be stressed in advance knowing if it was a hilly course I was likely to bring very little to the team.

I have a great set up at home so can use Zwift to help with this also. I will just let my husband know in advance when I am likely to be doing these sessions as I am a pretty grumpy climber also.

Weight(s) – Mine & Lifting

Yup that thing you are not supposed to say anymore as it is a bit of a taboo subject – I wrote a whole blog piece on this that you can find here. But for the coming months I want to drop weight – this will help with both of the above goals and quite honestly I am not comfortable with where I am right now so want to do something about it.

I am certain I had this as a goal previously but then life got flip turned upside down (see what I did there?) and it was not so much of a focus and Covid saw so many banana breads it was hard (but so good)!

Consistency With Strength Work

I have done many courses of different bootcamps, body transformations, strength work and none of them bad whatsoever, but I find then the next thing comes along and my focus might change and then before I know it I have not done strength work in several months on a consistent basis.

I will be taking this back to basics to have a regular workout – I don’t like to ignore strength work and have seen first hand, for me, how this has improved my health and fitness.

Tick Off Some More Zwift Routes

Like many other people I have been steadily working my way through the list of routes on Zwift. Every time I think I am getting closer there seems to be an extension (which I am not moaning about) and more routes get added. So looking forward to the new 8 Makuri Islands Neokyo routes and ticking those off and some of the longer ones that are left on my list too.

MTB Fun

There has to be fun as well right? I love the MTB and just making the ride up as I go. Winter season is generally slosh season and I am not a fan but for winter months need to suck it up and work on that.

Do you set winter/off season goals? If so what are they?