So am I rushing the training season?
I find myself asking that question, especially since I looked at my bike on top of my car this morning and found 2 inches of snow on it. The weather has been pretty funky out in Colorado. As well as everywhere else. Saturday brought record highs to the area and yesterday brought snow and temps in the 20's.
I really feel I should be training more. Some of the other members of the triathlon team have already been putting on 15 mile long runs. I am still running only about 4-5 miles. My training plan for the Ironman distance race in September starts the 1st week of April. I just don't feel I should be putting on long distance runs yet. Why do I feel guilty then? I have been swimming more than they have, plus the added benefit of 2x/week spin classes. A day or 2 of strength training and a few days of running. I am working hard but next to them I feel real wimpy. Should I? I don't want to take the chance of over-training this early in the season.
I did sign up for the first triathlon of the season. It is the Littlefoot Triathlon in Morrison Colorado on may the 11th. It is a sprint triathlon in very cold water. The ice clears just a few weeks before, if we are lucky. Signing up helped me to focus a little more in my training.
I am feeling pretty good in the water. My form and endurance is building quickly. I am doing 45 minutes straight swimming. About 2400 yards. I do feel very confident in the water. I did get in one bike ride last week of 20 miles, felt that it was harder than the spin classes. I had a pretty good head wind most of the time. It felt good though to be out on the bike - outside. A lot better than on a trainer or spinner.
I got to try something new 2 weeks ago - SNOWBOARDING
Damn - if I would have tried this a lot sooner I would have been going more often. This is going to be a great pastime during my off season. I just need to get some of my own equipment and get more practice this year. I felt like I had a knack for the sport, felt comfortable on the board from the start. I will have some pictures on the site soon. I am really loving life right now. |
Rushing? I don't think so. Sounds like you've got the training plan setup and the first sprint isn't til' May, so you're good to go. Everyone's different w/ different tolerances and backgrounds to each sport. I relate, though, to trying to keep from hammering down. I think, instinctively we all grow up thinking "more is better". The more weight I lift the bigger muscles I get. The more I train, the more fit I'll be.
I'm real new to long-term training, breaking down years into phases and so on; I've only recently started thinking about doing any long races. With shorter distances, I could focus on just building up for that one race, do it and be done.
So I think if you've got a plan, part of that race preparation is the discipline to stick to a plan and believe in it. Good luck!