Year end maintenance

This is what Chris McCormack is doing as the year end approaches. From an interview on slowtwitch:

*Note: Challenge Cairns is an Iron distance event set for Cairns, northern Australia on June 3, 2012

CHRIS MCCORMACK: I think the key for now going into the end of the year for those building towards Cairns would be prime maintenance work. Building up a level of fitness that will enable you to put in the heavy work to be done in your aerobic block of work, and laying down some strength and power work. I would have a fairly broad maintenance program for my VO2 work and fitness work. Set myself some soft mileage goals across swim, bike and run and keep the consistency in these across a period of time.

I would be working heavily on a gym program maybe 3 times a week, that would be strength and power orientated and have 4 key sessions per week locked in that were specific to my particular weaknesses. These 2 months until the new year starts can be difficult for training because of so many holidays and festivities that come with this time of year. I say enjoy these to some degree, but just keep a consistent, enjoyable training routine that is not overly structured—which can lead to burnout late into an Ironman program when it is important—but is consistent enough to keep you ready to ramp up into some solid growth and structure come the new year.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Interview/Macca_speaks_volumes_2440.html