Keep Working To Your Next Goal: Winter Running Events

“Comfort zones: If you live in one too long, that becomes your norm. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” — David Goggins

If you’ve ever completed a triathlon, you already know what it means to break through your comfort zone. Not everyone can, or will accomplish that in their lifetimes. But when it comes to the off-season, it’s easy to fall into your couch and let the weeks fly by. This article will show you how making new goals during winter training can actually transform you.

 

Where Are You Headed?

So you’ve done a triathlon or more. You’re no stranger to discipline. You know what it means to endure long hours of training just to arrive at that final cathartic moment when you blaze past the finish line.

And now it’s off-season. Winter’s here. You can feel it in your bones. Your calendar’s filled with parties and other fun activities instead of training.

This is when the days grow shorter, and the ground becomes colder. None of these are ideal circumstances for training outdoors. So why not relax and let loose?

Here’s the thing.

You don’t suddenly transform into who you’re supposed to be on race day. You get there — slowly — by sculpting your body day-after-day, inch-by-inch. 

Everything you do before race day is what makes you who you are. In this sense, it’s arguably more important that you participate in winter training than at any other time. 

All else remaining equal, the athlete who doesn’t let themselves go during the off-season has a competitive edge over everyone else who does. 

And just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t train. While it’s not the most ideal time for breaking your past records, it is the best time to focus on maintenance, covering up weaknesses, and becoming injury-proof.

 

Enter The Half Marathon

Whatever goals you might have for the future, it’s a good idea to do half the distance of next season’s race in preparation. You don’t need to exceed a half-marathon.

Stay active, but reduce the length of all your training sessions. This is because you want to focus on recovery, overcoming injuries, and keeping your mind sharp. 

As long as you stick with a consistent regimen, you can always add or subtract volume later. But if you completely ignore winter training then it’ll take a long time for your body to return to its peak condition. You need to keep the engine running so you can jump into action whenever you need to.

Even if you can’t go outside, you can swim, bike, and run on a treadmill indoors. You can fix up imbalances, weaknesses, or take up yoga and strength training to explore new ground.

One of the best ways to experience a half-marathon is through the 3M Half marathon that’s held in Austin, Texas on January 23, 2022. This event features a course that’s 13.1 miles (21.08 km) long. It ends with a post-race party that’s filled with plenty of food trucks serving some of the best tacos and BBQ you’ll ever have. Make sure to sign up before race day to remain eligible.

Or, if you wait a little longer, you can enter the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K on February 20th. This course passes through some of the most iconic landmarks in Austin, and is close to some amazing hotels, restaurants, and shops that you can enjoy with your whole family.

Don’t think. Sign up now. Imagine crossing the finish line to a roaring crowd all over again. You’ll only ever regret the things you don’t do and never the things you’ve done.