Tuesday Triathlon

I woke up at the gawdawful hour of 4:30 and joined my gym's triathlon training group for our weekly session. Its a great idea. We start off at 5:45 and swim for a half hour, then quickly head to the spin room for a half hour, and then run outside for roughly a half hour. The timing is always a little off, but it works out to a decent swim (especially if you get there early and warm-up). A brief, but effective bike. And finally a very good run of about 3-4 miles.

Today was much the same. These workout are the next best thing to actually doing a sprint race because it gives you the feel of what it is like to work all three muscle group in succession. The best part about it is the run since it has always been the portion I give the least attention to. So far in my racing experience I have had horrible runs. It is usually because I am under-trained for the bike and then basically dead when I run. This workout is going to be great for helping remedy that.

Very tired now but fired up. A little update on my shoulder: I still feel the pain a bit but I spent a good ten minutes before my workout warming up with weights and felt very little pain in the water. I will rest it for the rest of the week and see how it feels next week. Perhaps a little ice as well.

Song in my head: "Ridin' the Storm Out" REO Speedwagon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6F5xm0QooE

Back in the Saddle Again

Greetings bloggees. My last post referred to me resting my shoulder. Well, the injury, the ensuing holidays, turned me into a fat mess in very short time. Basically I fell awkwardly playing hockey and did something to my shoulder muscle. After a couple x-rays and some time on the couch, I eased back into things in early January and February. I still could not swim; as every time I got into the pool, I immediately felt the familiar pain. So I started focusing on light weights and lots of shoulder movements and began training the other two disciplines, by far my least favorite.

So now I am back. Last week I spent Tuesday doing all three with a group at the gym. Thursday was weights and running. This week should be more of the same.

I learned some good lessons from the experience. I was following a workout program a little too strenuously and not allowing enough time in between for rest. I'm not out there to win the race, I am out there to compete in it. I feel like my body was telling me to slow down, give yourself an off-season to recharge, and get back at it. Last week's pool workout was pretty easy even though I was out of it since Dec 1. Plus the running and cycling have caught up so I am in good position to move forward. I also learned to try to give myself plenty of rest. I never really though of myself as over-training. But, I would feel really bad if I missed a workout Now, if I need an extra day for rest or I need to focus on work for the whole day I will take it and re-charge myself for the next day.

I am in a much more confident place with my training now than I was last fall and I am totally excited for this year.

So tomorrow I will get in the pool at a nice easy pace, do my cycling and then its off for a run. I can't wait. As long as I can get up at 5AM. Pray for me.

Song in My Head: "Lazy Eye" Silversun Pickups http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjXwbmjumAg

Still Resting the shoulder

Song in my head "Last Christmas" Manic Street Preachers (its a Wham cover) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naiYu9KtA4I

Typing with One Hand

Saturday's workout was the last day of my first program. I swam twenty minutes straight (no warmup). I got about 1200 yards and I was pretty satisfied with my progress. After I cycled for about 20 minutes and ran for 20 as well. I did everything nice and easy. My goal is to restart the program (thus saving about 60 bucks) on Monday and have much better performance on a day to day basis. I went out way too hard last time around. The key here is pacing and preparing myself for the upcoming season.

I played hockey on Sunday night for the first time in almost a year. I dogged it a bit because I had not been on the ice in a while and had never played out west before. I did score a few goals though so that was nice. I'm not really interested in competing in a difficult league, I just wanted to get a good skate in. Problem is, I hyperextended my shoulder on the last play. Serves me right, I wasn't paying attention and fell awkwardly. I'll try to ice it tomorrow, hopefully it feels better. At least I scored on the play.

Song in My Head - "Can't Take My Eyes Of of You" by Manic Street Preachers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPPv9d0nETU

Relaxing

This has been a slightly boring week as I am in taper mode. Wednesday was a 30 minute bike ride. Very simple. Thursday was an easy swim much like Tuesdays. I was surprised how quickly I finished. Following that, I was on the treadmill for a half hour. I have to admit that I did not run much during this training period but I felt great yesterday. I got a couple miles in, just nice and easy, with a little walking as a warmup and cooldown. No pain this time. The taper period has been great. I am planning to go ahead with the program I just did for the second time. I think I will have a much better success rate from workout to workout.

Song in my head - "Don't Let Him Go" by REO Speedwagon of High Infidelity awesome guitar work by Gary Richrath. They get a lot of flak but that album is a classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDIP1nUisUc

I did a triathlon today, in a way

Today was a good workout. I was scheduled to try all three legs. The workout has now made it to its taper phase where the workouts typically ease up in anticipation of a race. I am really off schedule because of the two week break so the easy workoutsw are fine with me. But anyway, I swam a 300 warmup, 6 50s, 6 100s, and a 200 warmdown. The workout was very easy but I still felt tired in my upper body. I then hit the bike for 15 minutes and ran for 15 minutes. I was supposed to go for 60 minutes and 30 minutes respectively, but honestly, all I wanted to do was get the blood flowing. I think I really shot myself in the foot at the beginning of the routine by going all out. Now my goal is to get set up for when the season begins in April. Therefore I want to maintain my swim pace, gradually build up my cycling and running throughout the offseason and be in position to really kick butt by April.

Song in my head "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses ("bah humbug")

Its been 14 days since my last confession...oops, entry

Well then, after a week of rest and a trip back East, I got back on the bike yesterday. The new fit felt great but I only did about a half hour. No pain, no soreness after a while. All good. I am sort of off program at this point, but I am not really worried. My program is winding down. I guess it would be in the taper phase so the workouts themselves would be easy. Tomorrow I am scheduled for all three but due to appointments I will lucky to get them in.