Bricking It
The
essentials of brick training for triathlons
by
Ron
What's a "brick"
and why is it named so?
* Bike-Run-ICK!
* That's how your legs feel for the
first part of the run.
* Named by Mark Sisson and Scott
Zagarino one day in 1988 after they
completed a Bike-Run
workout -- "Just another brick in
the wall".
For us beginners, a brick is
usually a bike/run combo. This simulates the bike to run transition
- many think is the toughest part of the race. It should be done
during your final training phase leading up to a race. A brick
simulates the bike-to-run transition. It's wiggy. Have you
ever had your leg go to sleep on you? You can move it ok but you
don't feel like it's part of you. Really. It's like running on
rubber pegs or running with a ball and chain attached to them.
Bricks are usually
demanding on your body - don't make them routine. Definitely plan on
doing 2-3 bricks during your final lead-up to your triathlon. When
doing these bricks, you don't have to run your best time - go easy.
I wouldn't even do your full miles. What might also work during your
last several weeks to a month is to maybe do an easy mile of running after
every bike ride.
Also, at the end of the bike leg, lower your gear and
increase your pedal revolutions to loosen muscles tightened by pushing big
gears.
If time is not a bother
to you, it will definitely NOT hurt to take a few minutes to stretch those
leg muscles.
But finally, the truth is that the 'bricks' I
have been talking about are...well...whimpy. If your a serious
triathlete, a true brick is to do several bike/run combos.
Ughhhh!!!! Good thing we don't have to worry about that for now.
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