Our sport world is its own little bubble, where we rely on set methods and training structures, repeatable sessions and measured growth. But sometimes the real world intrudes and interrupts our pretty little existence. Sometimes family issues disrupt and we must learn to roll with it. Nothing is worse than the immanent death of a parent for throwing all routine out the window.

But this can be a good thing, too. The body needs a good rest on a regular basis, and with routine training real rest is not an easy thing to accomplish. There is always an excuse for doing something, or at the minimum feeling guilty for not doing anything. And then there is a little tweak in a knee, or a pain in the shoulder, and the voluntary rest becomes mandatory.

The brain needs this type of break as well, as training is always mentally taxing on top of the work muscles are required to perform. A clear head, with no nags at the back of the brain, is essential for future training success. This also is a requirement when it comes to planning for the upcoming season, to insure a sense of reality for potential future endeavors.

The end-of-the-year vacation is always a good time for planning, as anything seems possible and the future year can be planned with a bit of objectivity along with a sense of excitement over future potential.