As the storms rage on in certain parts of the country, it seems like spring may never arrive. Quickly fading daylight, cold temperatures, and snow covered trails and roads can lead to a severe lack of motivation. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of sunshine and warm weather to get you back into the right frame of mind. A short break from winter can be just enough to jump-start your fitness and get you excited about training again. A mini “boot camp” is the perfect answer to your wintertime blues. Below I’ll share some best practices for making your trip a success as well as some of my go-to spots.
Make a Plan
One of the best ways to get the most out of your “boot camp” is to set some goals for yourself prior to leaving. Depending on what you’re training for and your ability level these will be different for everyone. However, there are a few parameters that can help you establish these goals. The first is to have a particular route in mind before you leave. Whether on foot or by bike find something that interests you and seems challenging, and then stick to it. New terrain is one of the best ways to re-ignite your love for your sport. You can also set a duration goal. Maybe your goal is to run for 1 hour without stopping, or to ride a metric century. Regardless of what it is, if you establish a distance or time that you’d like to achieve prior to leaving you’re much more likely to be successful. Lastly, you’ll want to be able to track your progress. It’s not always important to log your mileage or time, but during these trips it’s motivating to be able to see what you’ve accomplished. At the end of the day reviewing your fast mile splits or your huge bike ride keeps you excited and ready for the next day. This data is also valuable when you return home and motivation tends to wane. You can look back on these workouts and feel confident again. Don’t be afraid to have lofty expectations for your trip. This should be a time to push yourself and explore what you’re capable of. Feed off of the energy of your friends and training partners to see what you can accomplish.
Find a Friend
Just like with any vacation, it’s more fun when you have a friend. Find someone, or a group of people who share your interests and will push you physically. Having someone else onboard before you leave will also help keep the excitement high. You can bounce ideas off of one another, plan routes, discuss things to see and do, and share in the overall excitement of the journey. Remember that this will be your partner(s) in crime for the duration so make sure that you’re of similar ability levels and are on the same page regarding plans for the trip. Not only is this an opportunity to get your motivation back, but also it’s a chance to make memories with friends and family, so don’t forget to have fun!
Where to Go
Once you’ve committed to the trip, and you and your friends are excited, you have to decide where to go. While proximity, time availability, and resources will play a part in your ultimate decision I’d like to share a few of my go-to spots when I need a boost in my training.
Sedona, Arizona – This mecca for trail runners and mountain bikers alike is a haven in Northern Arizona. It’s situated in some of the most pristine scenery imaginable, and due to its lower elevation sees very little snow and mostly mild temperatures. This is my go-to spot for long and challenging mountain bike rides.
San Diego, California – Known for its perfect weather year round and miles of coastline, this is the perfect place to escape winter. No matter your sport you’ll find plenty do in San Diego, and you might even come home with a tan.
Brevard, North Carolina – Brevard is in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of my favorite spots to visit. It offers endless miles of single track for trail running and mountain biking, as well as classic climbs to be tackled on your road bike. There’s a never-ending amount of fun to be had here, so plan for a few extra days.
You don’t have to wait for spring to get to work on your 2016 goals. Whether it’s a long weekend or a full-blown vacation, a change of scenery can do wonders for your motivation and fitness. Gather your training partners, friends and family and pick a destination. Use the trip to set big goals and the excitement of your travel partners to help you achieve them. No matter your sport, escaping winter can be the answer you’ve been looking for all season long.
