The Season.

Some have strict definitions of a 'season.'  Most of us do not. 

Major league baseballers will start up on April 1 this year, and a select few will lace up their cleats in late October to close it out.  As cyclists, runners, swimmers, and all-around athletes, our seasons may not be so clearly cut.  Amateur sport seems to cross all seasons, assisted by amazing fabrics and equipment that seem to defy Mother Nature's best licks.  Cold out?  Grab some Windstopper.  Dark?  Fire up the Niterider.

Getting any season started is probably the biggest hurdle for most.  Many series and races start in early spring or summer, meaning that preparation may need to begin in the cold of winter.  Combined with the shorter days, numerous holidays and second-helpings, it's so very easy to hibernate until the warm sun draws us out, pale and blinking.  The problem with this is that once it becomes easy to get out there, everyone else is out there too. 

Depending on one's goals for a season, this may or may not be of consequence.  Group rides, group runs, and team swims are almost always more fun than going solo.  Misery loves company, right?  This convenient situation has a dark side, as it can stunt early season progress.  A solo ride or run with a structured plan tailored to an athlete's current fitness level often has benefits unrealized in group spins or a leisurely coffee run.  It goes without saying that we need to mix in plenty of fun with our training, but to create that spring race day magic, our wintry days and nights must contain those efforts and moments when solitude is our partner and pain our very best friend.

I once heard a cycling coach for Garmin-Cervelo talking about goal setting.  He simply noted that if we set a goal of, say, finishing on the podium at Paris-Roubaix, then it would be quite easy to fail and miss that mark.  However, if the goal is to have an experience that teaches lessons, is challenging, and has the potential upshot of a podium spot, we might not be so depressed if we miss the podium having gained the other two benefits.  In a nutshell, he advised that we set targets reasonable for our individual situations, but that include the experiential facets of racing - not simply the finishing order.  A subtle difference, but a wise one.

As our collective seasons get underway, consider your targets:  Maybe this year, it is less about results and more about simply getting out there.  Perhaps your 'A' race is a lofty goal, so consider the experience of pushing to a new limit within your farthest reach.  Or quite possibly it is time to dig harder than ever and get to that podium. 

Whichever you choose, remember to have fun.  Oh, and Play Hard.  Eat Well.  Be Happy.

Race Reports!!

OK V. sporters, racing season is upon us.  This means you're shaking off the frost of winter (for the most part) and starting to remember what it is to really sweat.

Barry and I hit up race #1 of the Greenville Spring Training Series yesterday and posted our write-ups on our blogs.  Click on the links below to check them out. 

Barry's blog:  http://northstarcycles.blogspot.com/2011/02/race-report-meh.html

Erich's blog:  http://battenkillorbust.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-one-under-belt.html

If you would like to send in a race report, please send it to team@vsporthealth.com and we'll load it up!  Keep it clean for the kids, of course.

Play Hard.  Eat Well.  Be Happy.