It’s been about a month since I last posted. Whoops.
In that time I’ve relaxed and taken some pressure off of myself which has made training way more fun. Instead of fretting over my lack of mileage or whether I’m taking the right approach, I’m focusing on form and quality in the sessions I am able to fit in.
I even made it to two consecutive morning swims – a feat that’s taken a year to accomplish. Meanwhile, edging into birthday season the nutritional commitments dropped off a hair; thankfully early enough that the impact should be minimal. The Ironbehaviors of meal planning, meal prep and packing ahead have become an easy habit to maintain and I can feel the difference it makes in opening time in the weekday schedule. No excuses!
The runs, though short, have become much more enjoyable and less anxiety-inducing. I have even been able to jog down the steep hill on Bulls Ferry and through icy passes without knee and ankle angst!
We are jetting today to PR for our upcoming 70.3 relay where I’ll complete the swim leg. My swim is not quite as snappy as I’d hoped, but I’m still more than happy with the quality of pool time.
Now for racing strategy: historically I have not performed well in ocean swims open to the current, so I am conservatively aiming for a 34 min swim with a stretch goal of 31 min. Breaking 30 min. this year would be a solid achievement in the half-Iron distance swim. The key to this will be monitoring for cross-over in my pull and being mindful of field position with respect to the current. Basically if I can keep a calm head, I am confident that I can hit the stretch goal mark.
David’s bike training has taken a strong step up in the last 6 weeks, also, as he’s prepared for the purportedly windy PR course. My cycling angst was assuaged when I joined him in a CompuTrainer session two weeks ago where I comfortably conquered a 100 min portion of the Mont Tremblant course while maintaining my last recorded FTP. Guess it’s time to record a new baseline! …which I will be able to do with my newly installed PowerTap! Can’t wait to give it a spin when I get home :D
I’m really glad that he’s in this with me because my competitive subconscious doesn’t want him to “get ahead” in his training over mine (even though we have two uniquely different training strategies and weaknesses, so why bother comparing…?). Spending time with both clubs in NJ and in Chicago has also helped me get my head in the game and to stay excited about this adventure. And this is only the off-season! Imagine how much more exciting it will be once we’re really “in it”.
Another helpful excitement factor is that I am officially in the market for a new bike! I completed my fitting before I left and am now in the process of negotiating the goodies that I want (and can afford). David’s been a great help to assess the shop’s recommendations and to offer hand-me-down components and suggestions on future upgrades. If everything works out I may be ready to unveil the new ride in about a month! Gotta keep working to really earn it in the meantime.
With that I bid you adieu until later in our PR adventure. Hopefully I’ll do better and post a race report early next week.
The goal this week is to a) relax and enjoy vacation and b) get out and run a little bit every day!
In that time I’ve relaxed and taken some pressure off of myself which has made training way more fun. Instead of fretting over my lack of mileage or whether I’m taking the right approach, I’m focusing on form and quality in the sessions I am able to fit in.
I even made it to two consecutive morning swims – a feat that’s taken a year to accomplish. Meanwhile, edging into birthday season the nutritional commitments dropped off a hair; thankfully early enough that the impact should be minimal. The Ironbehaviors of meal planning, meal prep and packing ahead have become an easy habit to maintain and I can feel the difference it makes in opening time in the weekday schedule. No excuses!
The runs, though short, have become much more enjoyable and less anxiety-inducing. I have even been able to jog down the steep hill on Bulls Ferry and through icy passes without knee and ankle angst!
We are jetting today to PR for our upcoming 70.3 relay where I’ll complete the swim leg. My swim is not quite as snappy as I’d hoped, but I’m still more than happy with the quality of pool time.
Now for racing strategy: historically I have not performed well in ocean swims open to the current, so I am conservatively aiming for a 34 min swim with a stretch goal of 31 min. Breaking 30 min. this year would be a solid achievement in the half-Iron distance swim. The key to this will be monitoring for cross-over in my pull and being mindful of field position with respect to the current. Basically if I can keep a calm head, I am confident that I can hit the stretch goal mark.
David’s bike training has taken a strong step up in the last 6 weeks, also, as he’s prepared for the purportedly windy PR course. My cycling angst was assuaged when I joined him in a CompuTrainer session two weeks ago where I comfortably conquered a 100 min portion of the Mont Tremblant course while maintaining my last recorded FTP. Guess it’s time to record a new baseline! …which I will be able to do with my newly installed PowerTap! Can’t wait to give it a spin when I get home :D
I’m really glad that he’s in this with me because my competitive subconscious doesn’t want him to “get ahead” in his training over mine (even though we have two uniquely different training strategies and weaknesses, so why bother comparing…?). Spending time with both clubs in NJ and in Chicago has also helped me get my head in the game and to stay excited about this adventure. And this is only the off-season! Imagine how much more exciting it will be once we’re really “in it”.
Another helpful excitement factor is that I am officially in the market for a new bike! I completed my fitting before I left and am now in the process of negotiating the goodies that I want (and can afford). David’s been a great help to assess the shop’s recommendations and to offer hand-me-down components and suggestions on future upgrades. If everything works out I may be ready to unveil the new ride in about a month! Gotta keep working to really earn it in the meantime.
With that I bid you adieu until later in our PR adventure. Hopefully I’ll do better and post a race report early next week.
The goal this week is to a) relax and enjoy vacation and b) get out and run a little bit every day!
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