Filed under: training, triathlon | Tags: Christmas, holiday eating, in-laws, new year's, training
My most basic winter goal is to establish the pattern of my training week so that I can set my body and lifestyle on a rhythm that works. My efforts have been erratic so far with alternating weekly successes. This last week was a prime example of a dip. Mid-week was upset by shifting deadlines on my project eliminating my swim workouts. Between Friday and Sunday: I had an work deadline that kept me until midnight on Friday; my in-laws arrived; the office holiday party occurred (too much alcohol=hangover during 3 yr-old’s party=not happy camper); and we hosted 15 preschoolers for my son’s third birthday. Ironically enough, on the weekend I was too busy to get some training in, we had pretty nice weather so a ride and run would have been pretty enjoyable. My first commute Monday morning even had a flat and walked the second half of the commute…a reset is in order.
On the positive side, I’ve controlled my eating to reasonable amounts, given the office treats and party meals.
As we approach the Christmas/New year’s couplet, at least I get that week off so there should be fewer interruptions.
This week’s goal is humble: do the sessions…at any intensity or duration, but DO THEM.
Well…it turned out to be 8x (I missed a cycling workout), but a good start to figuring out the pace and pattern of making of this kind of training week. Now that it’s over, I’m sure I can do all the workouts for my HIM training plan. The format of pairing the swim days with the run days will work well for me. I can run at lunchtime during the work week easier than either cycling or swimming, so it’s a little bit like my old 6x/week training schedule. I can still get up early (5am) and hit the pool just like before. I take my runing stuff + towel, which isn’t too bad to carry on the bike. AND, I don’t have to run in the dark anymore!! God knows I need the 3x/week runs to help get my legs under me. My run has always been my weakest discipline.
I am realizing that my training wardrobe is tied to my 6x/week workout schedule. I’m probably going to have to purchase another one of everything because it’s just nicer to put on clean clothes for each workout. I’ve been rinsing/washing things out in the shower right after a workout, but that’s getting a little old already.
I had been worried about being able to do the swim workouts, both wondering about total volume killing my overall energy and whether I could fit them in. I did the 3rd/final swim workout this morning, and I think the swims are somewhat therapeutic and don’t kill my energy for the runs or cycling. (My missed cycling workout was due to a late night and not having the enthusiasm to get up the next morning.) If I can get to bed early enough, I will have enough energy to do everything. If I get thrown from a good sleep pattern, I expect training will suffer.
My latest project at work is going to parallel my HIM training plan unfortunately. It will peak just when my training peaks so I know there will be some challenges to deal with as the work stress ramps. I’ll do my best to plan the work surges and get enough sleep (and not stress the family either).
I’ve got 10 weeks of base training before the HIM training plan starts. My goals are to keep everything fairly aerobic with a few cycling force workouts sprinkled in. Also, try to dampen the enthusiasm to eat through the holidays. Today, for instance, was a midday party at a friend’s house, and I came home and had to wait a bit before heading out for a run. I was leery of seeing my lunch and took it slow, which actually helped me keep my HR down.
I got outside for the first time in a few weeks for my weekend bike ride. I need to do more hills. The trainer just isn’t the same. I rode up Lovejoy/Cornell and actually had to stop and take a short break. Then I rode Skyline to Germantown and returned back through town. It was a good ride but evidence that I need to keep getting outside.
This week my runs were probably too fast, pushing my HR into my Z3-4 instead of keeping it down in Z1-2. I’ve had a virus to contend with but not enough to keep me from working out. I need to watch my HRM more as I proceed through this off season. Keep it light and concentrate on just getting out and doing things regularly; pattern and consistency are so key.
