Trials and Triathlons

Thoughts on life, multi-sport, and other stuff, below.

[trialsandtris]

Ok, back on the wagon, for real.

Look at this easy first week for Ironman Santa Rosa! Given that I was an unproductive slob over December, it’s still not going to be that easy. But, I feel healthy and I’m ready to begin. My real focus is going to be on strength and core this go-around. It felt like I lost strength toward the end of the last training peak. This could be from overtraining, so I’m going to adjust the plan to cut 10-15% off the aerobic work, and add in more strength and conditioning, with some assistance.

[trialsandtris]

Strike that, off the wagon!

This last month has been very difficult. I think I resumed training before my body was ready to do so, and my back hasn’t cooperated, nor my legs, for the most part. Lesson learned, after missing a half marathon, and having to postpone the next full triathlon.

Yeah, Kirk. I know that feeling.

I still have Ironman Santa Rosa (FKA Vineman) to prepare for in July, and at least two tune-up races (Olympic/half) in between now and then. But wow, I underestimated the recovery time!

[trialsandtris]

Back on the wagon.

So I signed up for another full-distance race, this one, HITS Palm Springs, on 3 December. Here’s how I feel about doing another:

Looks like fun! I love Palm Springs, especially late in the year.

Things that I have pondered lately:

The desert heat/humidity - While it won’t be hot, it’ll be hot enough, which means extra liquids, more sweat, more salt, etc.

Resuming the training load preparing for the Louisville race - That was a hell of a peak training load. I was truly exhausted the weeks before the race. I am considering dropping from Fink’s Competitive Plan to the Intermediate plan, with little to no repercussion

Maybe passing on the race, or dropping down to the 70.3 - I could! Would leave more time to go sailing. Or basically any of the fun things I used to do. Wait...what did I used to do?

[trialsandtris]

IM Louisville Race Report

Here’s my full race report on Reddit.

[trialsandtris]

IT’S RACE WEEK! OMG!

Time to pack, and eat, and rest, and do laundry, and GO DO THE THING. This is supposed to be the fun part, right? I’ve really enjoyed the rest but wow, was it exhausting. I’d do it again. In fact, I’m doing it again. In December. In Palm Springs. 

[trialsandtris]

If you ever need to know what your bike cassette’s (or a potential cassette’s) potential is, this little app does a great job of explaining it.

[trialsandtris]

Tapering is awful. Time to combat it!

I hate the taper period. The psychological warfare and anxiety that occurs before the big race is difficult, the body, which has somehow found its groove in a never-ending onslaught of pain and suffering, is restless. So I’ve been reading sports psychology books lately, to find encouragement in how other athletes find their mojo. It has helped tremendously. The books:

How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle, Matt Fitzgerald (link)

The Champion's Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive, Jim Afremow (link)

Both books excel in identifying athletes (and their experiences) who have overcome the psychological challenges of elite athletics, while making major points in the analysis, so that the process and the outcomes for their success can be understood and implemented in amateur athlete (or even non-athlete) lives. 

I’m thankful to have such salient examples, to encourage and focus me when the suffering happens. And it will happen!

[trialsandtris]

Offseason.

[trialsandtris]

It’s been a little while.

I’m finally tapering for Louisville, so I have some time to write. 

Note: Shaving one’s legs will reduce drag; shaving one’s beard will not. 

[trialsandtris]

Lake Tahoe 70.3 looks hard! 6,200′ elevation to start, up to nearly 7,000. Good times...

[trialsandtris]

Week 19, Sweet Jesus

Week 19. Is it already Week 19? Sweet Jesus. This week will officially be the hardest week I’ve done, not only because of the duration (I mean, wow, that’s a bunch), but because I have my daughter the entire week. Scheduling is proving to be a challenge. I was on the bike until 22:40 on Sunday night. Not my favorite place to be that late.

[trialsandtris]

Training, Week of 02 May

It’s May already?! I trust Fink’s training plan. This is a light week, which is good in a couple ways. For one, my IT band bothered me a bit on the last two runs, so I could use the extra time for stretching. Second, I have my daughter a lot this week, so I get to spend more time playing with her -- Awesome :)

I don’t mind the load as it increases, but I do remember how exhausted I was during the 70.3 training. Part of the training, which I’ve shared with friends, has been to have more fun and be more social, and have a drink or two during the week, which was very rare for the last training program. I have lost my tolerance entirely! Not that I need alcohol, but two beers shouldn’t wreck me, right?

So how much do you drink, if any, while training?

[trialsandtris]

List: Swim Gear

Here’s the quick and dirty list of the gear I use while swimming, both training and racing (links go to Amazon):

Tyr Special Ops 2.0 goggles - Really, really comfortable. They don’t fog up, and I keep a spare pair unopened, just in case

Speedo Endurance+ short - I can’t do a banana hammock

Tyr Hurricane Category 1 sleeveless wetsuit - It was a return, and it was really, cheap. I like the sleeveless, much easier to get on and off, and a little more comfortable

Suunto Ambit 2S - I like this watch, for the most part. It does a good job of counting, and the Movescount dashboard is really helpful post-swim

BlueSeventy Core short - Neoprene, more buoyant. Really helps, at times 

Audioflood waterproofed iPod Nano - These single-handedly changed my swim in an instant. As I worked up to 3000 yards for the Napa HITS 70.3, having some music (I swim alone, always) made my swims fun. Every little bit helps

Finis Agility hand paddles - I love these. There’s nothing to hold them to your hand, except good form

Finis Zoomer Z2 Gold fins - They wear me out, and they fit well

What gear do you use for your swim? 

Happy swimming!

[trialsandtris]

Happy May Day! Am I officially a triathlete?

I will be a Middle of Packer for a long time. The USAT membership price alone is worth it if you race more than four races in a12-month period. Additionally, they heap a ton of benefits onto the membership - discounts, rankings, insurance, etc. I haven’t had much time to peruse them, but they are published here.

[jdrjdrjdr]

Registered! Anyone else doing Oakland? (at Jack London Square)

[trialsandtris]

How could you NOT want to do this? What a well-produced video.

[trialsandtris]

SHUT UP LEGS!

Jens Voigt