I've recently completed my final race of the year, the Timberman (it was fantastic) and I'm taking a few weeks to recuperate then I am moving on to my off season regimen. I am looking to organize my plan but it will need to be tweaked based on what races I elect to participate in. I'm definitely going to enter the Vineman 70.3 but I'm unsure of which my second race will be.

Well by now it seems obligatory that we race and post pictures in a speedo. So here are my dues. I had a great race, but nothing special, except some fishing tailing on a decent because of a slick wet course, glad I didn't go down. +1 on bike handling skillz. Sorry about the tan line, I did tri at the pool to get some sun.

I come from a history of auto racing - I have worked on Indy cars, pro cups and a myriad of other types of professionally sanctioned cars where millimeters are considered in altering the drag coefficient and making the air flow over or under at a rate of least resistance. Jeff

This is an excellent time of year to consider what you would like to accomplish athletically in the upcoming New Year. As with many things, planning is the key to accomplishment for your race season.

Simon Ward writes: If you want to race well this season, at your target races, then the last few weeks of your training should be devoted to bringing you to a physical and mental peak. The way in which you achieve this has been the subject of much debate and the jury is still out.

I remember my first triathlon. I remember the fear. Everybody looked so serious and professional. And then there was me. I felt as if I stood out like a tone-deaf Jew going Christmas caroling. (That's another story for a different time.) I had no clue what I was doing and was too scared to ask.

Perhaps you have just finished your first race of the season and found yourself fatigued for days, muscle sore, and that the race was an overall shock to your system.

Perhaps you have just finished your first race of the season and found yourself fatigued for days, muscle sore, and that the race was an overall shock to your system. Maybe your performance did not meet your expectations either. This should be your wake up call; you are not training at intensities or durations that mimic that of your races.

1. Should I wear a wetsuit? It depends on if wetsuits are allowed in the race. Most of the age group races allow wetsuits. In this case, by all means, use a wetsuit! You will not only be able to withstand cold water, but you will also be given the gift of buoyancy by your apparel- which will make it a lot easier to get through the swim.

Dealing when the temperatures rise Across North America, racing in July, August and early September can be challenging due to the temperature. Racing during these months usually means you are performing in hot and humid conditions. If you train in this type of environment, that is optimal for conditioning your system to the stress.