Off Season Enjoyment

Ahhh, and the beautiful fall summer whatever the hell season it is weather continues.  Another perfect day! According to the "future cast" (yeah, you got me on that one, too) it may end tomorrow, so it'll be another outside evening, soaking in the sunshiny goodness while it lasts.  Maybe a trail run?  Or a mountain bike?  Or even just a nice walk :-). 

It's been almost 3 weeks since Ironman #2, so I thought I would share with you some of my "off season" training so far.  After 9 months (37 weeks) of structured training, it is so nice to not "have" to do a certain workout!  Granted, I adore swim-bike-run workouts, but it is nice to have the freedom to do other things.  This fall, I will be doing a few road races (hospice 10 miler and turkey trot) but nothing super crazy that requires a schedule.  My body and mind need the rest.

Now, I would hope at this point y'all know that I'm no good at sitting still....so clearly, I have been getting in my exercise!  And while I will admit to doing a bit of running, biking and swimming, it's all easy paced, no set time or pace having fun with it.  Lately I've been loving....

Mountain biking.  Much different than road biking!  I'm enjoying the fall scenery, getting in a good leg workout, and spending time with the hubster.  Triple win.

Easy lunchtime swims.  Using my swim mp3 player, I swim laps for 10 songs (30-40 minutes) then do some backstroke laps to cool down.  Sooo relaxing.

Strength workouts!  I neglected my guns big time during the season, as it is hard to strength train while Ironman training (lack of time and not wanting to kill my already taxed muscles).  Gettin' in that core and weight workout STAT!

Mind-Body Workouts.  Yoga, pilates and dance....fun, relaxing, and NOT seemingly hard work while sculpting and toning....even if I have no rhythm :-P


Classes at the gym!  Spinning, Boot Camp, Turbo pump and kickboxing....awesome full body workouts!

Clearly, I am having fun :-)  I'm at the point where I want to move my body, but am ready for a few months off.  Who knows what 2012 will bring....right now it's time to enjoy every day!

And along with the new workouts, I keep trying new dinners full o veggies.  Tonight's fall delight....spaghetti squash.  I'm in love with this veggie.  It has the same consistency as pasta (it does NOT taste the same, don't buy that crap.  But it is quite yummy!) for a fraction of the calories and is a volumetric eaters dream.  Tonight I baked up a squash, pulled out the strands with a fork, coated with fresh tomatoes and roasted eggplant, with chicken breast on top for protein!  Yum.  (Oh, and yes, I realize my plate is winter and my tablecloth is summer....since it's fall, I call it even steven.)
But since it's the off season....I decided to indulge in a pumpkin donut and some fresh apple cider for dessert :-)  It's all about balance, right? Exactly.
Time for some much needed snuggles on the couch with the hubster and my latest obsession.  Night all!

Welcome, Meals and Miles readers to my little corner of the blog world :-)  Thanks for stopping by!