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How to Embrace Off-Season Training
Top 3 ways to “attack” your endurance training off-season
So, you’ve just completed your target race and smashed it! You’re feeling great and itching to sign up to another race after your big result as you know you are getting better at life. However, after speaking with your coach, you realise that you’re now officially in the off-season. Boo.
Your mind fills with dread. “What about all that fitness I’ll lose?! How am I going to improve my race times if I take time off?”
But Coach Rob made it pretty clear, off-season needs to happen.
Why?
An endurance training off-season allows your body adequate recovery time while keeping you mentally fresh.
The best part? As amateurs, we don’t need an off-season like the pros do. After all, we weren’t training 40 hours per week. We can play it smart and have f-u-n.
Here are my top 3 ways to “attack” your endurance training off-season.
1. Train differently
The 12 week build-up to your main event can get very samey, but when it comes to achieving your training goals, nothing is more specific than specificity. However, one thing that kills training in the long run is monotony. Que the off-season, where you have the opportunity to shake things up. Change the time of day you train, or try a new session structure that was previously off the cards. Dust off the mountain bike or take a long run on the trails while leaving your watch behind. Now is the time to reap your session’s benefits without worrying about the specificity required for a race. A trail run can still be aerobic and an effortful endurance cycle awaits while you get lost in a Wadi.
2. Say yes to more
Being successful on race day means saying no to a lot of things in the months prior. Tandem workout outs, social events and spontaneous getaways with friends are usually a no-go, but off-season is the perfect time to say yes! If endurance is your passion, then a lot of your invites will involve some form of adventure, which is great for both the mind and the body.
3. Start to address training weaknesses
If your coach has planned 3 development sessions per week during your off-season endurance training, then this is your chance to work on components that were missing from last year’s armoury. Think strength specifics and form work.
With nothing big in the diary, it allows you the chance to build up the components you previously pressed pause on because they were too impactful on your main sessions. By working on those weaknesses, you start your next build phase in a better place. You’ve done your strength homework, and those dreaded DOMS won’t be such a factor.
In summary, don’t be scared of your off-season! It’s simply training without so much pressure or specificity.
It’s FUN. Get this right and you'll be more ready than ever for your next race.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Work Hard
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ENGINE
We are going to mix things up a bit this week, varying modalities, time frames and distances designed to push your aerobic capacity.
GYMNASTICS
To kick things off, we will spend some time on Pull-ups and chest-to-bar pull-ups before we move off the rig and onto the floor as we look to break down and develop the Handstand Walk.
HYROX
Working on compromised running this week. Running consistently strong when there is nothing left in your legs is a key skill in Hyrox.
MOBILITY
Improving your overhead mobility will show you how to improve not only flexibility but also stability using a few key exercises that you can do in your own time.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we will kick the week off with a mixture of paused and unpaused back squats, followed by some heavy single-leg work. Wednesday sees us continue our progression on the strict press and the stationary dips.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting we focus on the power snatch and hang power snatch with a series of complexes followed by some EMOM percentage work
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Track Tuesday
The purpose of this workout is to develop threshold speed. To do this we’re running through 3X800m into 2X400m finishing with a final best effort over 800m, then repeating the whole set again!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: InnerFight
Wednesday Ride
This Wednesday we’re going to put your legs through some climbing efforts and then finish with some maximum power sprints.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Friday, The Coffee Run
The ‘in’ word within endurance is fatigue resistance; and today we look to benchmark it. With 2 maximum efforts at the start and end of the set with a steadier middle section, we’ll be able to track your drop-off. A great set for anyone wanting to get better this winter!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Friday, Sea Swim
With Salalah and T100 just around the corner, we again take to the seas to practice race-specific skills for open-water swimming.
Start time: 06:19 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Saturday Ride
This week we take on the second extension, with some 3-minute and 1-minute turns as a group. We’ll cover around 85km or fun riding. Come along to start your weekend right!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 3 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Please note that there is no Monday and Wednesday session this week. LRC Unlimited Clients, your TrainingPeaks are still programmed.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: InnerFight
Session: Track Tuesday
This week we have a selection of 800s and 400s for you. Come ready to run fast with InnerFight Endurance community and coaching team.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Kite Beach
Session: The Coffee Run
Today we are looking at your durability. The session is book ended with hard efforts, to see how your duratlity is at the end of a middle block of easy running. This is a great session to test as the weather gets better and then test again in the coming month, after stacking some more consistency in your training.
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Monday:
Strength:
Pull Ups and Dumbell Bench Press
Conditioning:
Amrap 20
Car Park sandbag bear hug carry
10 hand-release push-ups
10 pull-ups
Half park run
Tuesday:
Strength:
Front Squats
Conditioning:
In a 3 minute window
10 Dual KB front squats (2x 20/16)
30/25/20 cal Row
AMRAP wall balls
Rest 2 mins x 5
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Power Clean + Hang Power Clean
B) Clean Complex + Wall Walks
Conditioning:
FOR TIME
3-6-9 Power clean
2-4-6 wall walks
into
9-12-15 Power Clean
9-12-15 Burpee over bar
Thursday:
Strength:
KB Single Leg Deadlifts + Arch Holds
Conditioning:
EMOM 16
Min 1 - 20 alt DB hang snatch (50/35)
Min 2 - 20/15 box jump over
Min 3 -18/15/12/9 Cal assault bike
Min 4 - Rest
Friday:
Conditioning:
Another spicy Friday to end the week, and then we finish together with a Durante Special!
So, you’ve just completed your target race and smashed it! You’re feeling great and itching to sign up to another race after your big result as you know you are getting better at life. However, after speaking with your coach, you realise that you’re now officially in the off-season. Boo.
Your mind fills with dread. “What about all that fitness I’ll lose?! How am I going to improve my race times if I take time off?”
But Coach Rob made it pretty clear, off-season needs to happen.
Why?
An endurance training off-season allows your body adequate recovery time while keeping you mentally fresh.
The best part? As amateurs, we don’t need an off-season like the pros do. After all, we weren’t training 40 hours per week. We can play it smart and have f-u-n.
Here are my top 3 ways to “attack” your endurance training off-season.
1. Train differently
The 12 week build-up to your main event can get very samey, but when it comes to achieving your training goals, nothing is more specific than specificity. However, one thing that kills training in the long run is monotony. Que the off-season, where you have the opportunity to shake things up. Change the time of day you train, or try a new session structure that was previously off the cards. Dust off the mountain bike or take a long run on the trails while leaving your watch behind. Now is the time to reap your session’s benefits without worrying about the specificity required for a race. A trail run can still be aerobic and an effortful endurance cycle awaits while you get lost in a Wadi.
2. Say yes to more
Being successful on race day means saying no to a lot of things in the months prior. Tandem workout outs, social events and spontaneous getaways with friends are usually a no-go, but off-season is the perfect time to say yes! If endurance is your passion, then a lot of your invites will involve some form of adventure, which is great for both the mind and the body.
3. Start to address training weaknesses
If your coach has planned 3 development sessions per week during your off-season endurance training, then this is your chance to work on components that were missing from last year’s armoury. Think strength specifics and form work.
With nothing big in the diary, it allows you the chance to build up the components you previously pressed pause on because they were too impactful on your main sessions. By working on those weaknesses, you start your next build phase in a better place. You’ve done your strength homework, and those dreaded DOMS won’t be such a factor.
In summary, don’t be scared of your off-season! It’s simply training without so much pressure or specificity.
It’s FUN. Get this right and you'll be more ready than ever for your next race.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Work Hard
Track Tuesday
The purpose of this workout is to develop threshold speed. To do this we’re running through 3X800m into 2X400m finishing with a final best effort over 800m, then repeating the whole set again!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: InnerFight
Wednesday Ride
This Wednesday we’re going to put your legs through some climbing efforts and then finish with some maximum power sprints.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Friday, The Coffee Run
The ‘in’ word within endurance is fatigue resistance; and today we look to benchmark it. With 2 maximum efforts at the start and end of the set with a steadier middle section, we’ll be able to track your drop-off. A great set for anyone wanting to get better this winter!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Friday, Sea Swim
With Salalah and T100 just around the corner, we again take to the seas to practice race-specific skills for open-water swimming.
Start time: 06:19 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Saturday Ride
This week we take on the second extension, with some 3-minute and 1-minute turns as a group. We’ll cover around 85km or fun riding. Come along to start your weekend right!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 3 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Please note that there is no Monday and Wednesday session this week. LRC Unlimited Clients, your TrainingPeaks are still programmed.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: InnerFight
Session: Track Tuesday
This week we have a selection of 800s and 400s for you. Come ready to run fast with InnerFight Endurance community and coaching team.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Kite Beach
Session: The Coffee Run
Today we are looking at your durability. The session is book ended with hard efforts, to see how your duratlity is at the end of a middle block of easy running. This is a great session to test as the weather gets better and then test again in the coming month, after stacking some more consistency in your training.
Monday:
Strength:
Pull Ups and Dumbell Bench Press
Conditioning:
Amrap 20
Car Park sandbag bear hug carry
10 hand-release push-ups
10 pull-ups
Half park run
Tuesday:
Strength:
Front Squats
Conditioning:
In a 3 minute window
10 Dual KB front squats (2x 20/16)
30/25/20 cal Row
AMRAP wall balls
Rest 2 mins x 5
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Power Clean + Hang Power Clean
B) Clean Complex + Wall Walks
Conditioning:
FOR TIME
3-6-9 Power clean
2-4-6 wall walks
into
9-12-15 Power Clean
9-12-15 Burpee over bar
Thursday:
Strength:
KB Single Leg Deadlifts + Arch Holds
Conditioning:
EMOM 16
Min 1 - 20 alt DB hang snatch (50/35)
Min 2 - 20/15 box jump over
Min 3 -18/15/12/9 Cal assault bike
Min 4 - Rest
Friday:
Conditioning:
Another spicy Friday to end the week, and then we finish together with a Durante Special!
ENGINE
We are going to mix things up a bit this week, varying modalities, time frames and distances designed to push your aerobic capacity.
GYMNASTICS
To kick things off, we will spend some time on Pull-ups and chest-to-bar pull-ups before we move off the rig and onto the floor as we look to break down and develop the Handstand Walk.
HYROX
Working on compromised running this week. Running consistently strong when there is nothing left in your legs is a key skill in Hyrox.
MOBILITY
Improving your overhead mobility will show you how to improve not only flexibility but also stability using a few key exercises that you can do in your own time.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we will kick the week off with a mixture of paused and unpaused back squats, followed by some heavy single-leg work. Wednesday sees us continue our progression on the strict press and the stationary dips.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting we focus on the power snatch and hang power snatch with a series of complexes followed by some EMOM percentage work
So, you’ve just completed your target race and smashed it! You’re feeling great and itching to sign up to another race after your big result as you know you are getting better at life. However, after speaking with your coach, you realise that you’re now officially in the off-season. Boo.
Your mind fills with dread. “What about all that fitness I’ll lose?! How am I going to improve my race times if I take time off?”
But Coach Rob made it pretty clear, off-season needs to happen.
Why?
An endurance training off-season allows your body adequate recovery time while keeping you mentally fresh.
The best part? As amateurs, we don’t need an off-season like the pros do. After all, we weren’t training 40 hours per week. We can play it smart and have f-u-n.
Here are my top 3 ways to “attack” your endurance training off-season.
1. Train differently
The 12 week build-up to your main event can get very samey, but when it comes to achieving your training goals, nothing is more specific than specificity. However, one thing that kills training in the long run is monotony. Que the off-season, where you have the opportunity to shake things up. Change the time of day you train, or try a new session structure that was previously off the cards. Dust off the mountain bike or take a long run on the trails while leaving your watch behind. Now is the time to reap your session’s benefits without worrying about the specificity required for a race. A trail run can still be aerobic and an effortful endurance cycle awaits while you get lost in a Wadi.
2. Say yes to more
Being successful on race day means saying no to a lot of things in the months prior. Tandem workout outs, social events and spontaneous getaways with friends are usually a no-go, but off-season is the perfect time to say yes! If endurance is your passion, then a lot of your invites will involve some form of adventure, which is great for both the mind and the body.
3. Start to address training weaknesses
If your coach has planned 3 development sessions per week during your off-season endurance training, then this is your chance to work on components that were missing from last year’s armoury. Think strength specifics and form work.
With nothing big in the diary, it allows you the chance to build up the components you previously pressed pause on because they were too impactful on your main sessions. By working on those weaknesses, you start your next build phase in a better place. You’ve done your strength homework, and those dreaded DOMS won’t be such a factor.
In summary, don’t be scared of your off-season! It’s simply training without so much pressure or specificity.
It’s FUN. Get this right and you'll be more ready than ever for your next race.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Work Hard
Please note that there is no Monday and Wednesday session this week. LRC Unlimited Clients, your TrainingPeaks are still programmed.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: InnerFight
Session: Track Tuesday
This week we have a selection of 800s and 400s for you. Come ready to run fast with InnerFight Endurance community and coaching team.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Kite Beach
Session: The Coffee Run
Today we are looking at your durability. The session is book ended with hard efforts, to see how your duratlity is at the end of a middle block of easy running. This is a great session to test as the weather gets better and then test again in the coming month, after stacking some more consistency in your training.
Monday:
Strength:
Pull Ups and Dumbell Bench Press
Conditioning:
Amrap 20
Car Park sandbag bear hug carry
10 hand-release push-ups
10 pull-ups
Half park run
Tuesday:
Strength:
Front Squats
Conditioning:
In a 3 minute window
10 Dual KB front squats (2x 20/16)
30/25/20 cal Row
AMRAP wall balls
Rest 2 mins x 5
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Power Clean + Hang Power Clean
B) Clean Complex + Wall Walks
Conditioning:
FOR TIME
3-6-9 Power clean
2-4-6 wall walks
into
9-12-15 Power Clean
9-12-15 Burpee over bar
Thursday:
Strength:
KB Single Leg Deadlifts + Arch Holds
Conditioning:
EMOM 16
Min 1 - 20 alt DB hang snatch (50/35)
Min 2 - 20/15 box jump over
Min 3 -18/15/12/9 Cal assault bike
Min 4 - Rest
Friday:
Conditioning:
Another spicy Friday to end the week, and then we finish together with a Durante Special!
ENGINE
We are going to mix things up a bit this week, varying modalities, time frames and distances designed to push your aerobic capacity.
GYMNASTICS
To kick things off, we will spend some time on Pull-ups and chest-to-bar pull-ups before we move off the rig and onto the floor as we look to break down and develop the Handstand Walk.
HYROX
Working on compromised running this week. Running consistently strong when there is nothing left in your legs is a key skill in Hyrox.
MOBILITY
Improving your overhead mobility will show you how to improve not only flexibility but also stability using a few key exercises that you can do in your own time.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength this week, we will kick the week off with a mixture of paused and unpaused back squats, followed by some heavy single-leg work. Wednesday sees us continue our progression on the strict press and the stationary dips.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting we focus on the power snatch and hang power snatch with a series of complexes followed by some EMOM percentage work
Track Tuesday
The purpose of this workout is to develop threshold speed. To do this we’re running through 3X800m into 2X400m finishing with a final best effort over 800m, then repeating the whole set again!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: InnerFight
Wednesday Ride
This Wednesday we’re going to put your legs through some climbing efforts and then finish with some maximum power sprints.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
Friday, The Coffee Run
The ‘in’ word within endurance is fatigue resistance; and today we look to benchmark it. With 2 maximum efforts at the start and end of the set with a steadier middle section, we’ll be able to track your drop-off. A great set for anyone wanting to get better this winter!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Friday, Sea Swim
With Salalah and T100 just around the corner, we again take to the seas to practice race-specific skills for open-water swimming.
Start time: 06:19 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Saturday Ride
This week we take on the second extension, with some 3-minute and 1-minute turns as a group. We’ll cover around 85km or fun riding. Come along to start your weekend right!
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 3 hour
Location: Bottom of the stick
So, you’ve just completed your target race and smashed it! You’re feeling great and itching to sign up to another race after your big result as you know you are getting better at life. However, after speaking with your coach, you realise that you’re now officially in the off-season. Boo.
Your mind fills with dread. “What about all that fitness I’ll lose?! How am I going to improve my race times if I take time off?”
But Coach Rob made it pretty clear, off-season needs to happen.
Why?
An endurance training off-season allows your body adequate recovery time while keeping you mentally fresh.
The best part? As amateurs, we don’t need an off-season like the pros do. After all, we weren’t training 40 hours per week. We can play it smart and have f-u-n.
Here are my top 3 ways to “attack” your endurance training off-season.
1. Train differently
The 12 week build-up to your main event can get very samey, but when it comes to achieving your training goals, nothing is more specific than specificity. However, one thing that kills training in the long run is monotony. Que the off-season, where you have the opportunity to shake things up. Change the time of day you train, or try a new session structure that was previously off the cards. Dust off the mountain bike or take a long run on the trails while leaving your watch behind. Now is the time to reap your session’s benefits without worrying about the specificity required for a race. A trail run can still be aerobic and an effortful endurance cycle awaits while you get lost in a Wadi.
2. Say yes to more
Being successful on race day means saying no to a lot of things in the months prior. Tandem workout outs, social events and spontaneous getaways with friends are usually a no-go, but off-season is the perfect time to say yes! If endurance is your passion, then a lot of your invites will involve some form of adventure, which is great for both the mind and the body.
3. Start to address training weaknesses
If your coach has planned 3 development sessions per week during your off-season endurance training, then this is your chance to work on components that were missing from last year’s armoury. Think strength specifics and form work.
With nothing big in the diary, it allows you the chance to build up the components you previously pressed pause on because they were too impactful on your main sessions. By working on those weaknesses, you start your next build phase in a better place. You’ve done your strength homework, and those dreaded DOMS won’t be such a factor.
In summary, don’t be scared of your off-season! It’s simply training without so much pressure or specificity.
It’s FUN. Get this right and you'll be more ready than ever for your next race.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Work Hard
So, you’ve just completed your target race and smashed it! You’re feeling great and itching to sign up to another race after your big result as you know you are getting better at life. However, after speaking with your coach, you realise that you’re now officially in the off-season. Boo.
Your mind fills with dread. “What about all that fitness I’ll lose?! How am I going to improve my race times if I take time off?”
But Coach Rob made it pretty clear, off-season needs to happen.
Why?
An endurance training off-season allows your body adequate recovery time while keeping you mentally fresh.
The best part? As amateurs, we don’t need an off-season like the pros do. After all, we weren’t training 40 hours per week. We can play it smart and have f-u-n.
Here are my top 3 ways to “attack” your endurance training off-season.
1. Train differently
The 12 week build-up to your main event can get very samey, but when it comes to achieving your training goals, nothing is more specific than specificity. However, one thing that kills training in the long run is monotony. Que the off-season, where you have the opportunity to shake things up. Change the time of day you train, or try a new session structure that was previously off the cards. Dust off the mountain bike or take a long run on the trails while leaving your watch behind. Now is the time to reap your session’s benefits without worrying about the specificity required for a race. A trail run can still be aerobic and an effortful endurance cycle awaits while you get lost in a Wadi.
2. Say yes to more
Being successful on race day means saying no to a lot of things in the months prior. Tandem workout outs, social events and spontaneous getaways with friends are usually a no-go, but off-season is the perfect time to say yes! If endurance is your passion, then a lot of your invites will involve some form of adventure, which is great for both the mind and the body.
3. Start to address training weaknesses
If your coach has planned 3 development sessions per week during your off-season endurance training, then this is your chance to work on components that were missing from last year’s armoury. Think strength specifics and form work.
With nothing big in the diary, it allows you the chance to build up the components you previously pressed pause on because they were too impactful on your main sessions. By working on those weaknesses, you start your next build phase in a better place. You’ve done your strength homework, and those dreaded DOMS won’t be such a factor.
In summary, don’t be scared of your off-season! It’s simply training without so much pressure or specificity.
It’s FUN. Get this right and you'll be more ready than ever for your next race.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Work Hard
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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