Prepping, Priority Number One

by Kris Pitcher

On a sunny Saturday last February, I was shredding downhill on my skis when I thought to myself, "This is dangerous!" If you're planning to compete, you have to make it to the stage.

I love a good Yogiism. It was that sunny day I decided my prep was the most important thing. On my way to compete at the national level for the first time...I made a choice. See, if you're hurt you won't make it.

Now, things happen. Injury isn't always like a blaring neon light flashing in front of our eyes. Prepping in a smart way is all about minimizing exposure. Exposure to excess, exposure to unintended injury, and exposure to energy expenditure you can't afford.

Aside from feeling a little exhausted, I was enjoying the scenery. Jacques and I looked at each other at about the same time on the chair lift back up and gave the nod. This would be the last time. It wouldn't be until June that I would hit the stage. June! But if I was going to make it, I needed to actually make it.

Lots of people do all kinds of extra-curricular things during prep. More power to you! For me, I'm all about minimizing loss. I'm all about focused effort. And I'll be darned if I'm doing any extra cardio. For some clients, my husband designs their entire program around their adventure sports. Hiking, paddle boarding, surfing, skiing, riding and what ever else they're into.

At a certain point you choose. Search my blog for muscle fiber type for a reminder about training type A and B fibers. There's a point at which you're competing against your own goals. So, I focus on one thing at a time. I'll have plenty of time to recreate off season.

So really there's two issues here. There's getting to the stage without getting hurt. Then there's training specificity. Sure, most of us can afford a day on the mountain this time of year and it's not going to make or break our prep.

Unless of course we're escorted down the hill...with a broken wrist, or arm, or leg. You get the idea. With all the hard work going into prepping for a contest, it just makes sense to protect your investment. And actually get to the stage.

Again, we can't go around in a bubble avoiding life. But, we can avoid the unnecessary by being smart about what we set out to do. When prepping is your number one priority, go all out and get to the stage. Minimize your risk and avoid the avoidable. I'll see you on stage!