Effect of losing a week of training?

Actually, touching on cardio and diving. A good workout the day before a dive reduces susceptibility to the bends, as it seems to reduce the nitrogen present in your joints.

And since you'll be in/on the water, you could always do some swim work.

True, read that recently as well. So that covers the first day of diving, the problem is the next cardio workout

And I can just see it, swimming laps around the boat, lol

Edited by ChrisM 2004-11-03 1:26 AM

Rumor has it that is takes 10-14 days to start to see a loss in your fitness, and then it is only MAYBE 10 %.  You might THINK you have lost some, but in actuality, your body might love the little break.  

I don't think a week off will hurt at all. Like Trixie said, it might actually do your body good. I've found when I have missed a week, I'm usually raring to go, and haven't lost any fitness.

Chris

I think you will be fine!  Most training plans consider the fact that people get sick or travel or have time frames where they are just too busy.  The suggestion above about building then having a lighter week during your vacation is a good one.

Thanks all for the (as usual) great advice.

This place rocks

Chris

I have been taking my running shoes when I go away to dive in order to do a quick 15 to 20 minute jog right when I get up - an hour or 2 before starting my dives. On a liveaboard you won't have that option (unless they will let you do laps around the hot tub on the sun deck)...

PLUS, on a liveaboard, you will be diving you brains out. You'll be lucky if your slow/medium tissues are washed out by the next morning Just dive your brains out and enjoy a week off from rigorous training. With that much immersion, your body will have plenty to do just on and off gassing and keeping you warm. Just don't pig out on all of the food - never been, but I've heard that you won't go hungry. Enjoy the trips you lucky dog! Are all 3 to Darwin's playhouse or just the last one?

Oh, and since I went out to the barn to get the book for COGirl, this is what The Triathlete's Training Bible has to say about "Changes Resulting from 3 weeks of not training."
Measure of Fitness Change
===============================
Aerobic Capacity -8%
Heart Stroke Volume -10%
Submaximum Heart Rate +4%
Blood plasme Volume -12%
Muscle Capillary Density -7%
Oxidative Enzymes -29%
Blood Insulin at Rest +17% to +120 %
Bllod Lactate During Exercise +88%
Lactate Threshold -7%
Use of Fat for Fuel During Exercise -52%
Time to Fatigue -10%

So enjoy the trip, just don't veg for too long when you get back Besides, it's not like you're taking a week to ride roller coasters and eat cotton candy.

-Frank

Edited by scuba-punk 2004-11-03 7:31 PM

THanks for the good advice.

Re: Galapagos, Just the last one... the first two are warm water Carib types. I've heard the Galapagos diving is quite ... uh... physical

I'm never really physically bagged after a week of inactivity. For me, it's the mind thing. If I spend more than a week away from my gym shorts, my brain gets pretty comfy on that couch and I have a REALLY hard time getting back out there again. Once I force myself up, my body usually responds pretty well. If you can keep yourself pumped up to get back to it, I think a week's break is probably good for the old machine every now and again.

My 2 cents.

I forgot to mention this last night, but in one of my recent emails with Cameron Martz, he told me that he has a dive fitness book coming out soon, so I'm looking forward to seeing that one.

-Frank

Losing a week of training will not have much of an impact. The loss is much more psychological than physical. By way of example, I have been traveling for the past couple of weeks and wasn't able to train while I was away. I went on a quick run when I got back and hit a PR in a 5K.