It's be a little while since I've posted here -- not out of neglect, I've just had nothing to report. It has been the same winter training drudgery, consisting of indoor spinning, pool work, and outdoor runs as the weather allows.
I thought last week we were on course for Spring (finally!). I even dropped off my bikes for their annual tune-up, thinking I might be on the road shortly. Ha ha! This weekend put an end to those hopes fast. I have only had The Walking Dead to help me survive the horribly-tedious indoor spin bike sessions. And the finale was last night. So the Spring thaw better happen fast.
I feel confident about the upcoming outdoor training phase of my plan. I've built a solid base this winter and feel good about putting my body through hours of punishment on the road. I'm careful about my knee and go easier when it feels tight. It doesn't necessarily hurt, but it feels very tight from time to time. And I've noticed that the injury from last year has affected my single-leg balance work on that side. I just have to be smart with my training and listen to my body.
I can't wait until I get back on the road -- then the real adventure begins. Six-hour bike rides anyone???
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Is It Spring Yet?
Like you, I'm sure, I'm getting very sick of winter. The sub-zero cold, the dirty and unappealing brown snowbanks, and the general temptation to curl up under a blanket and eat Doritos until the flowers bloom.
In terms of my training, my phases are changing tomorrow and I'm hoping that this change will somehow, through cosmic forces in the universe, usher in an early spring and more tolerable outdoor training conditions.
I've spent the past four weeks on building a solid fitness base, taking advantage of my indoor confinement to work on total body strength. My goal is to create an "iron foundation" so that my body won't break down when subjected to hundreds of training miles each week. In the back of my mind is my knee injury from last year. I've been doing lots of lunges, single leg squats (a.k.a. pistols), and split squats to toughen up both knees for the work ahead.
I've also been slowly reintroducing triathlon-specific training, getting back into the pool and on the spin bike for short workouts. The first week, my Ironman injury was causing me some concern. Not pain exactly, but there was a lot of tightness in my left knee. Luckily, the tightness subsided by the second week and it feels pretty normal now.
In anticipation of the nice weather, I've been fleshing out my racing season. Despite many "tsks" from other Iron athletes, I did other races last year along with (rather than just focusing on) Ironman. And I was so glad I did. After the letdown that Ironman became after my knee injury, I was so happy that I had other opportunities to put all of the months of training to use. And I found that the races did not interfere with my training; I just moved my training around accordingly. Racing makes me happy and keeps me too tired to cause trouble. So I will not give it up.
My race schedule this season looks like this so far:
In terms of my training, my phases are changing tomorrow and I'm hoping that this change will somehow, through cosmic forces in the universe, usher in an early spring and more tolerable outdoor training conditions.
I've spent the past four weeks on building a solid fitness base, taking advantage of my indoor confinement to work on total body strength. My goal is to create an "iron foundation" so that my body won't break down when subjected to hundreds of training miles each week. In the back of my mind is my knee injury from last year. I've been doing lots of lunges, single leg squats (a.k.a. pistols), and split squats to toughen up both knees for the work ahead.
I've also been slowly reintroducing triathlon-specific training, getting back into the pool and on the spin bike for short workouts. The first week, my Ironman injury was causing me some concern. Not pain exactly, but there was a lot of tightness in my left knee. Luckily, the tightness subsided by the second week and it feels pretty normal now.
In anticipation of the nice weather, I've been fleshing out my racing season. Despite many "tsks" from other Iron athletes, I did other races last year along with (rather than just focusing on) Ironman. And I was so glad I did. After the letdown that Ironman became after my knee injury, I was so happy that I had other opportunities to put all of the months of training to use. And I found that the races did not interfere with my training; I just moved my training around accordingly. Racing makes me happy and keeps me too tired to cause trouble. So I will not give it up.
My race schedule this season looks like this so far:
- 3/22/15 - Shamrock Shuffle (5 miles)
- 6/6/15 - Charlton 5K
- 6/7/15 - Hudson Crossing Triathlon
- 7/4/15 - Firecracker 4 (4 miles)
- 7/26/15 - Ironman
- 8/15/15 - Crystal Lake Triathlon
- 9/5/15 - Lake George Olympic Triathlon
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