Hi T
I just finished reading some more of your blogging. Your last post was of interest since I struggle with the same thoughts and cookie cutter mentality of many out there. I don't share their ideas, but rather agree more with you and your pro friend.
I have come to the same conclusion on my own and executed it this past off/on season. Last winter while all the other triathletes decided to take time off and get fat and lazy I stayed in the game merely doing maintenance work with the 3 disciplines (2 each one, each week) as well as added heavier weights. I attribute a really solid season to the method I took in the off season. I felt stronger than ever (heavy weights), was leaner than I would have been ( better weight to power ratio) and had set the stage to increase endurance as the season approached, which came much more naturally than the year before when I did take some weeks off.
I also avoided exercise induced injury this year which didn't happen last year. Last year I dealt with a wicked case of shin splints that kept me at sub-par level the entire season.
Anyway, a good read and I think you're right on. Good luck with CIM!
In the early years, I tried to train straight through and wound up burnt out or on the boarder for getting injured. Of course I also thought the every workout was high intensity as well.
In the last three years, I've been building up consistently but at the end of each year, I'm taking some time off and losing fitness in the process. With Silverman and CIM so close to the end of the year, I don't see why lightly training through the end of the year is going to make a difference.
We shall see.
Good luck to you as well!