Off Season Training Goal

I think the weight loss goal sounds reasonable given the time frame. I will let other people speak to trying to lose weight and improve performance at the same time. I think the trick is making sure you have enough calories to do the long, hard workouts, which could slow your weight loss. I'm just going by memory on what I read in a different thread on this site. 

Your winter will be a more extreme version of my summer. I have been doing most of my long runs on the treadmill lately to avoid the heat. I could make it work by getting up early on weekends, but I will always talk myself out of it when the alarm goes off if I know there's another way to get the workout in later in the day. I can handle the outdoor rides, though.

You mentioned May for the sprint, what time of year is your HIM? Have you checked out any training plans?

As of yet, I haven't done any long tris, but I like to focus on shorter and faster running races in the first part of the year and do longer races toward the end. This also works very well with the local race calendar. I do my first Oly this August and want to do a HIM late summer or fall next year.

Happy training!

For most people new to the sport, I would recommend normal training through the "off season" (season when there are no races)...or just train as much as possible.  Take rest days or lighter workouts if your body gives you signs that you need it, but by no means do you need to spend several months training at a lower volume or intensity just because you are not in racing season. 

Most of us mere mortals do not have enough time to train so hard in season where we actually need a significant off season...unless it's a mental off season, or an off season to focus on other priorities like family.  If your priority is to keep making improvements for next season, then keep training year round.

Keep training consistently and lose the weight. I speak from experience that the lighter you get the faster you will get and it is so much easier on your body. Obviously the weight loss needs to be done sensibly but it will help a lot.

Thank you for your service. Keep training and hopefully you will get stationed in a better training location!!