Season 5 EP 10 — Triathlon Offseason Training Secrets With Mike Ricci
Oct 18, 2023
auto_awesome
Mike Ricci, founder and head coach at D3 Multisport and After 40 Reboot, shares triathlon offseason training tips. Topics include goal setting, blood testing, strength and mobility programming, and making small adjustments for significant improvements.
Focusing on weaknesses during the offseason, through activities like mobility assessment and strength training, can lead to significant improvements in overall performance.
The offseason provides an opportunity for athletes to rest and recover while also dedicating focused blocks of time to improving specific sports, such as swimming, biking, or running, resulting in enhanced fitness and performance in the upcoming season.
Deep dives
The Importance of Managing the Off-Season
The speaker emphasizes the significance of effectively managing the off-season by focusing on areas of weakness. This includes prioritizing mobility, blood analysis, and strength training, which can be done without additional swimming, running, or cycling. Elite athletes, in particular, should embrace these low-hanging fruit opportunities for improvement. The off-season is an ideal time to engage in activities that enhance mobility, such as skiing or other alternative forms of exercise. Taking a break from intense training allows athletes to refresh and recover, while also providing an opportunity to address weaknesses and improve overall performance.
Tips for the Off-Season
The podcast discusses the importance of utilizing the off-season to work on specific areas of improvement. Athletes are advised to take a few weeks of downtime, engaging in unstructured activities like leisurely bike rides or hikes. This break allows the body to recover and rejuvenate. Additionally, the speaker suggests dedicating focused blocks of time to improving specific sports. For example, spending several weeks solely focusing on swimming, biking, or running to build skill and proficiency. By strategically managing the off-season, athletes can enhance their weaknesses and enter the upcoming season with greater overall fitness and improved performance.
Key Aspects of the Off-Season
The podcast episode highlights essential elements of the off-season, including blood analysis, mobility assessment, and strength training. Blood analysis allows athletes to gain insights into their health and baseline fitness levels, facilitating targeted improvements. Mobility assessments help identify and address any biomechanical limitations, while strength training offers an opportunity to build overall strength and stability. These aspects of the off-season, along with appropriate rest and recovery, contribute to enhanced performance and set the stage for a successful upcoming season.
Strategies for Effective Off-Season Training
The speaker shares strategies to optimize off-season training. They emphasize the need for variety and entertainment during this phase to keep athletes engaged. This could involve incorporating different activities such as mountain biking, trail running, or other sports to provide a change of scenery and challenge the body in new ways. The off-season can also be a suitable time to focus on specific events like marathons or shorter races, allowing athletes to transition smoothly and maintain momentum. Additionally, athletes are encouraged to review their previous season, identify areas for improvement, and set goals for the coming year.
Mike Ricci, founder and head coach at D3 Multisport and After 40 Reboot, joins the CoachCast this month to talk all things triathlon offseason. Mike shares several tips that any athlete can do to take the offseason into race season with more momentum.
With over 20 years of coaching experience, Mike has worked with IRONMAN age group winners and national champions. He believes in working on weaknesses during the offseason to set up the coming season of success. From goal setting to blood testing to strength and mobility programming, Mike and Dirk discuss how small adjustments to your training routine during this time can lead to significant improvements.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode