Day Two of New Program

Well, training is back on. Swims are mild and a bit boring, but considering that I haven't really been training my swim since before my February surgery, I'm good with this.

Yesterday (and today for that matter) was:

2800 metres as:

400 mixed w/u then:

2 times 3 by 400 as:

50 drill/50 swim.

Drills are all stroke improvement and balance exercises. So we swim 1600 metres as freestyle and do drill for 1200 metres. Swims will go like this for a couple of weeks as the fitness returns.

I have been running too. Even got some new shoes yesterday which always makes me happy. Mostly just 30 minute trail runs, around 7-8 kilometres. Easy pace, always able to talk kinda thing. Easy rides on the bike too... no more than several hours. Three weeks from now, the volume and intensity will increase, so I'll enjoy these weeks for as long as they last.

Exciting news too: for the first time in my triathlon career I will be benefiting from personalized coaching. I have had a coach for several years, but the program hasn't been tailored to me specifically. No more, if I want to achieve some of my goals next year, I will need to have workouts specifically tailored to my plan, so I have splurged.

Next Week is New Program Start

Wow, how time has flown over the past week or two. I've been super busy doing very little training and tons of planning, school work and writing. Seems like everytime I put my head down, words come a flying out.

Putting the finishing touches on my points program for next season, which starts Monday, strange as that is. But it goes something like this: I get points for doing things that aid my training, and I lose points for doing things that harm my training.

For example:

Bad = -points.
Skip workout = -5 points.
Eat junk food = -2 points.
Awake past 10:30pm = -2 points.

Good = + points.
In bed before 9:30pm = 2 points.
Ice legs in ocean after run sessions = 2 points.
Hit target paces/splits in key workouts as per goal outlines = 1 point.

I figure that I should have to work harder for points, and that the penalties should be large, that way there is added incentive to stay on track. There are more aspects to my points plan, but I am already approaching that 10:30pm hour here and I need to start practicing for next week, so G'nite.

Good couple of days cycling

Man, I love this time of year: no structured workouts, ride my bike more than run or swim, no coach to yell profanity at me to try and make me go faster. Such Joy!

Alas, it is all coming to an end next week: we're back in the water early Tuesday morning. In all honesty, I can't wait. I am really excited to build on the gains I have made in cycling this year and to transform my racing into some serious results. Lookout Ironman, here I come.

I'm busy with school, and trying to get caught up with some writing that I need to complete: sponsor oligations and what not. Life sure does get hectic in a hurry. It will be good to get some structure back into my training: that always spills over into my day-to-day too.

My mind is working a-mile-a-minute these days. I've got to figure out what's going on because its keeping me up at night. All positive stuff, but ideas keep popping into my head at inopportune moments, yah know? I've taken to keeping a pad and pen beside my bed just to write some of these thoughts down.

Must go for a run, seems like the only meditative moments I have right now.

Running legs are back

My, how time flies. Running legs are back, feels good. Will start to increase my weekly volumes soon.

Off to school. Taking 3 writing classes right now: busy, busy. But I'll be learning some cool things for the web so you will get to see my experimentation on ostomyathlete.com