Training 3/17 - 3/23...and a few random thoughts

Cycling is based so much on form, on aesthetics, on class - the way you carry yourself on the bike, the sort of technique you have. -- David Millar

Random thoughts...

1)  I looked at a tri bike today.  It was expensive.  VERY expensive.  It was also pretty - given how little I care about my personal appearance, it seems awkward that bike aesthetics would matter to me.

2)  More importantly, I went to a bike handling clinic this morning.  It was 30 degrees and that sucked a lot, but the stuff I learned was pretty cool.  I learned about riding in groups, cornering, and other technical handling skills.  I'm still a little nervous on my bike, especially when I'm hanging right on someone's wheel, but I actually think I could handle going on a group ride at some point.  Unfortunately, just like swimming, it is one of those things that requires practice for the technique to stick.

3) Hubby and I are thinking about a destination HIM next summer - ambitious yes, but that's how we roll.  Yes, I know, I haven't done my first HIM yet and he hasn't even done a tri.  But the location is perfect (close to family) and it's a big fancy race (a 70.3 sponsored by WTC - the folks that put on the IRONMAN races) and it doesn't interfere with soccer season.  Clearly the latter is the most important.

4)  Soccer season has started, which means that weekend workout juggling will become more interesting, although there are no games for the next two weeks because of spring break.  My kids were on spring break last week, which is why there wasn't much going on here.  Back to reality next week.

I've decided to slot a 4-week cycle from an Olympic-distance triathlon training plan into these 4 weeks before the HIM plan starts (20 weeks + a week off for our vacation in the middle).  Essentially it will be 3 weeks of building volume and 1 week cutting back, and then onto the main event.  It has me doing each discipline 3x a week, which is good.  The run volume is a bit low, but I'm ok cutting back on that for a bit and getting my swimming and biking up to snuff.  I have the next 25 weeks or so plotted out in my 30boxes training plan.  OCD much?  Yes.  Yes indeed.


Sunday 3/17 - post-race REST day
Monday 3/18 - 48 minute cycle, masters swim
Tuesday 3/19 - 48 minute cycle (outside - see previous post)
Wednesday 3/20 - 2 mile run, masters swim
Thursday 3/21 - 3 mile run
Friday 3/22 - 80 minute cycle, 25 minute swim
Saturday 3/23 - REST (bike clinic/swim lecture)