enginerd's Group - FULL (Page 9)

LOL -- I never would have posted it, except Jason's achievement was worth it! 

Donato, I'm working on a dress-up photo. 

Thanks Donato, it was a great time and I think we all (my family and I) got a kick out of wearing the kilts.

It looks like everybody is well on their way to getting into shape for the race season. So who's got the next race? I don't have anything on the calendar for at least a month.....maybe more.

Okay, wow, everyone's logs are scary this week -- lots of fatigue and soreness! 

This morning I got an e-newsletter from my coaching team, which talked about season planning and mentioned Joe Friel's 3 types of training plans.  I've been reading the book during my rehab period so I can return to training much smarter.

1. Random:  do what you feel like every day.  Weather and social opportunities (e.g., group rides, masters swim) significantly affect the choice.  Friel says this is common and appropriate for new triathletes.
   
2. Mixed:  Vary the workouts (e.g., hills, intervals, LSD, etc.) so that you do a variety each week, every week.  Workouts tend to be the same, or build in intensity, each week in a linear pattern.  Friel says this is better than random training for athletic performance but also is likely to lead to overtraining and injury.  (Denial that you are overtraining, BTW, is one of the symptoms of overtraining...)
   
3. Periodized:  A plan that systematically stresses the body slightly and then gives it recovery so you can adapt.  Friel says periodization "involves arranging the workouts in such a way that elements of fitness achieved in an earlier phase of training are maintained...while new ones are addessed and gradually improved ... small changes are introduced into workouts typically during three- to eight-week periods."  For a season, this type of training, IMHO, requires either a good coach or a heck of a lot of time to educate yourself.

Take an objective look at your logs, your goals, your body, and the inspirations you are giving each other for training hard, and BE CAREFUL out there ... it is only February, and you do NOT want five-inch incisions down each leg like I have, even though it is quite a fashion statement. 

Hey hey hey.

Gail, in response to your email I'm going to go with option 4 for this week, which would be do nothing. Thanks you, thank you very much!

Seriously though, I think I've been doing #2. For the Tri I did last year and the 1/2 Mary I did a few weeks ago I followed plans on the internet that I think built in itensity over the weeks and the tapered off for the races. Starting on Monday I'm going to be doing a 16 week Oly plan off of BT. My guess is that it would fall under #2 as well.

Keep up the good work everyone, soon the season will be here!

Gail,

I best fit into the #2 category. Each week look the same as far as what discipline(s) I do each day. I feel I need to correct two things. First, I need to cut back on my swim distance. I will not swim 1,000 + before my masters class. I think I am logging too much distance too early in the season. Second, I need to mix-up my run workout. I know that some of that will come automatically when I start running outside. But I need to start doing some structured run workouts.

Thanks for keeping an eye out. I appreciate it. It means that this mentor group concept is actually working. I have taken Friday and Tuesday off from work mainly to work on my house but I will also spend some time putting a more structured training plan together.

Six more hours and then my five day weekend will start!

In peace,
Jon

Hey all!  Yes, I am racing this weekend.  A 10K trail run.  My first 10k (as a race) and first trail event as well.  I'm hoping the good weather we're having holds for just a few more days.

Gail:  I think I would put myself in category #2.  I'm following a BT training plan but modifying it slightly to fit my work/family schedule.  The only real fatigue I'm feeling is emotional.  I have a lot of things looming over me right now and my only escape is training.  It's the only time my mind stops worrying and I can let go.  Oh, I hope I don't put you all in a downer, I will survive!  I'm trying to learn the periodization training concept and from another BT'er I learned that I should should change my training plan to end on my A race ( which is Cancun 70.3) and be in a base phase from now until that 20 week plan will begin.  I should also use my other races as a part of my training to build me up to my A race.  So, I shall re-adjust.

Donato:  that's a mighty big step up to full Vineman!  By the consistency you've shown in your logs I know you should be well prepared.  I guess this means you won't be doing the Donner Lake tri now.  It's funny, when I saw you were doing that one I was thinking about switching from the Rancho Seco race that same weekend to Donner since we have a family home in Truckee.  At any rate, congratulations.

Gail, right now I'd say I'm in category 1 although it's not so much about the group rides etc. It's more about the fact that my wife works a few nights a week and so I have my son which means that if I am going to get a run or a bike ride in it will be indoors on a treadmill or trainer.  Since I have started running and riding outdoors I have found it to be a more difficult workout which to me means that I should do it as much as possible.  I do have a plan from bt on my calendar but now I really just use it for my weekly goals as far as training minutes in each discipline.

Donato, full Vineman!  And you just started swimming and riding a year ago, I'm very impressed.  You've got great training totals and consistency so I think you'll do great, I'm excited to follow your training.

Jeff, I wouldn't say you're doing nothing, just yesterday you put in a round of golf and some 12 oz. curls (my favorite workout).  Seriously though, you've got a plan and it looks like your head's right and for me that's the most important part.

Jon, enjoy your 5 days off.  I'm seriously jealous as I am in the middle of working 10 days straight :/  Have fun!

Gina, enjoy your race!  Sorry to hear you're in a funk but just think about how cool it will be to have your new house!  I'm jealous of that too, your own training room - you've got to be kidding me!

LOL, usually I get the big bucks for analyzing people's behavior and grading/ranking people.    Unfortunately, though, even though people always ask for my objective opinion, it's rare that they really want to hear it!  Nevertheless, I think our mix is interesting, and it's fun to see how everyone plans and puts those plans in action. 

Oh come on!  You know people just love to hear the honest truth! 

Hey, gang --

Glad you like my new avatar.  I figured since I can't find a dress-up picture, at least I should show you one where I am not wearing sunglasses.

My doctor gave me the all-clear to start training, so of course I went out this morning and did a sprint triathlon.  Okay, NOT, although all that walking has made me feel like I could.

What I DID do, though, was call my favorite coach to help build me a personalized training plan so that I don't overdo it, or underdo it for that matter.  I plan to do whatever he says, and "consistency" will mean following the plan including recovery days ... so you train-till-you-collapsers better not call me a slacker! 

Thanks for helping me get this far!!! 

How do groupo!

I thought I'd make an appearance since I've been a bit of an MIA lately. It sounds like everyone is coming along nicely and having some good things going on. That's great, and is definitely motivating.

I started my new plan yesterday so I shouldn't have any crazy gaps like I did last week, for quite a while.

Keep up the good work!

What choo talkin about Willis?  Glad to hear you got the doctor's all clear. 

Jeff, glad your back on the grid!

Howdy Peeps!

I'd say I had a good February. I completed my first 1/2 Mary and then took about a week off and am currently in my second week of a 16 week Oly plan.

My goals for March are to rigorously follow the plan, so I can be well prepared down the road for the race in June. I need to pay special attention to the swimming as I think it's definitely my weak link right now. It's also the easiest for me to become unmotivated for.

BTW Gail, I was looking at my plan a little more in depth and I think that is falls more under you category 3 of your previous question regarding what type of training we're doing.

The first month it has 10% increases in work load until week 4 where you back off. The following month start the first week where you were in the previous months 3rd week. Then the next two you build and then back off in week 4.

I think that's what you were talking about in regards to periodization.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Jeff (et al.)

I think all the BT plans are periodized for the length of the plan.  I have realized what I'm most interested in is how to periodize the year/season.  For example, Jeff was training at half mary running volume at the end of January, but his Oly plan (which is described as a volume-builder) starts off with runs of 24 min, 32 min, 40 min. in the first week.  Is that enough to keep the half mary fitness?  And if not, how do you decide how much to add to avoid overtraining?  I have this problem a lot, especially with swimming when a plan tells me to swim for like 24 minutes.  For me that is pretty much a warmup and a few laps of drills!  I suspect the answer is more complicated than any of us knows (and probably too complicated to fit with these kinds of pre-written programs) ... ultimately why I called a coach to help me.  I really don't want to overtrain, or undertrain and get injured at an event, all things considered!