Seasons Change

Or so I've been told. Today is the first day of fall, but here in South Texas, the season recently went from hot to hotter. But winter is coming. Or so we've been told.

With a looming change in season, athletes generally fall into one of three camps:

1. Championship season! If this is you, your "A" race for the year is coming up and you are locked in on your preparation. The singular focus you've had all year is coming to a head with the last big workouts. You might be tired, nervous, scared, and probably super fit.

2. Beginning the build for a winter marathon or other event. You know who you are. You've survived summer training and maintenance mode. You're excited about beginning the "real" work and building volume and intensity as you buckle down with training.

3. I have nothing. This is a hard place to be. You love being fit and healthy and know it's important but you don't have an immediate goal. Maybe you just came off your big race of the year and have some post-event blues. The feeling of "what's next" isn't as compelling when the early morning alarm goes off.

For athletes, these seasons come and go unrelated to the weather. They're a factor of your race schedule and how that fits in with life. Some seasons are more fun than others. Especially if you like having a big hairy, scary goal. But all of them are part of your athletic life.

Embrace the season you're in and look forward to when they change.

Cycling in the Texas Hill Country