My body definitely needs a break after a long summer of training. I've backed way off for about a month -- barely doing anything. Then I pick a winter goal (this year, a February half marathon) and work toward that. I am hoping to build up my running and swimming base (I am swimming 2x week with masters) so when the nice spring weather comes, I have a good base and can spend more time on the bike. So, my plan is to run 3x a week, swim 2x a week, yoga 1x a week (on my rest day), and spin/trainer 1x a week. Within this, I try to build in little breaks every 4-5 weeks or so.

The getting up at 5 am is what I need a break from the most, but unfortunately, my schedule doesn't allow it. *Sigh.*