training, periodization and injuries

some good questions... im curious as well...

goodluck with the healing

I felt burned out after a marathon last December.  I wasn't injured, just listless.  At first I thought a needed a new goal, but thought better of it (thank goodness) and just took 4 weeks off, trying (only partially successfully) not to gain too much weight (the holidays didn't help...).  After that I came back ready to roll...

Just a thought -- you might consider using this time to recharge your mental batteries.

Typically here is what I do once I finish racing for the season (usually mid-Sept):

Off-season
mid Sept to end Oct - no plan but stay active with tri sports (swim when I feel like it, bike commute, run 3x/week) - the real key is the running 3x/week as it lets me step right back into solid run training

Pre-competitive season
Nov - end Apr - normally a run focus (Nov-Feb), swim focus (Jan-Apr) and bike focus (Apr) before getting back to structured training leading into my first race in May

Shane

After my IM last year, I tried to keep on training but my mind and body were not in agreement. I had big plans try to PB a 1/2 Mary, do some other non tri races. After fighting the need for a break, I was encouraged to take 2 weeks off and if my desire to run and bike wasn't huge take 2 more weeks off. I rode once in a month as I did a cyclocross race I had signed up for, didn't run for 4 weeks, no swimming for longer.It was super strange after tri training for 5 years but it was so good for both my mind and my body. This year building for my second IM, I've been injury free, enjoyed training more and handled more training with less fatigue.

What I found is the break helped me in many levels.

You have an injury why not take this time to do something not tri related and allow yourself to heal up really well to be stronger for next year. I understand it is very difficult to do but I know it was good for me.

Last Fall I went through 6 weeks of no running (achilles tendonitis) and another 4 weeks in January (hernia repair). When I could not run I focused on my bike and swim. I put a lot of extra time into those disciplines and made some good progress. In January, I couldn't do much for a week, than had to very gradually build back up over a couple more weeks. I enjoyed the rest time and just thought of it as recharging my batteries.

I don't think you lose much fitness during the downtime especially if you are doing some other activity.