Happy Tuesday! I skipped over Week 5’s training log last week because…I just didn’t feel like it. My coach told me to take a recovery week and do whatever non-tri workouts I wanted. I ended up doing a little running, swimming and biking anyway, since I sort of like all of them now, but it was nice to not have any set workouts I absolutely had to do. I also took a Peloton class, a yoga class and a Ninja Fitness class…obviously. After two back-to-back race weekends, it was a nice break both mentally and physically.
AND I’M READY. 70.3, HERE I COME.
Week 6 Training
Monday: 4-mile run / 38:00
Tuesday: “Swim Test.” Quotes because: my swim got cut short and I also struggled to time myself. I forgot my Garmin, so I was relying on the big clock at the pool. I had an idea of how many seconds I was doing, but not how many minutes for things…so, yeah. Even though I didn’t get in the workout I wanted to, it was still a really solid workout.
Wednesday: 50-minute bike ride to test out the new wheels. VERDICT? LOVE.
Thursday: Repeated Tuesday’s swim workout
Friday: Rest day!
Saturday: 1.5 hour bike ride with Jen, up to the Little Red Lighthouse and back, covering about 20 miles total…and riding back home after brunch.
Sunday: 1.5 hour bike ride with Shannon; beach day; 35 minutes in the pool upon coming home. I had a few scary experiences on the ride with Shannon; there were two short-but-steep hills just north of the GWB that we tried to climb. Freaked the hell out, clipped out immediately. Did not die, but was shaken up after I turned around. Good news: I know I can clip out quickly.
Lessons learned from this week: if you’re going to skip a workout (you being Theodora), make it a run. I was also supposed to do a run on Wednesday, but I couldn’t squeeze it in. Running comes easiest to me of the three, so if I have to sacrifice a workout, I’m going to sacrifice running in favor of swimming or biking. Biking is what I’m the least comfortable with as well as the slowest, and, oh yeah, it’s the longest leg, so I’m focusing efforts there if I have to prioritize workouts.
I know I still have a lot of work to do, but I feel stronger and more confident already, and continue to feel moreso as the weeks progress!
I also am learning to rest as best as I can and to stop trying to burn the candle at both ends. Throughout this weekend, I had a lot of work to do, and I definitely didn’t sleep enough. I took an unplanned rest day yesterday because I just couldn’t get out of bed. I’m about to host a Twitter chat, but I’m going to bed after that!
(You can chat with us using the hashtag #PropelFit tonight, 7/1 at 9pm.)
Tell me about your workouts last week! And what you learned.
P.S. Former Coworker Abby full-on rocked my world when she told me about the TrainingPeaks/Garmin auto-sync feature this morning. You’re welcome.
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Oh I'm REALLY good at burning the candle at both ends. You're going to rock this 70.3 lady! I'll just live vicariously through you while you do it.
I love your Tri Training recaps! I have always been interested in doing a tri but have always sticked to running races because that is what I know and I have the equipment for.
What intimidates me about triathlons is having a road bike. I have a mountain bike from when I was probably 12 but I don't think that would be highly acceptable in a tri. Also, I am so scared to bike in chicago because there are always zoo many people and cars around. I love love love spinning. If only the bike portion was on a spin bike.
Another intimidation is the swimming. I have never been much of a swimmer - I like to breath all the time. But actually this week I completed my first swim workout probably ever. It was by choice but because my other options were limited. Right now I am injured with a herniated disc which is causing sciatica. Running is out but I was luckily still able to spin. Unfortunately this past weekend spinning was nixed too. Too painful. Because working out is my "therapy" I needed an alternative - swimming it was! Let's just say I didn't hate it and that workout got me thinking more and more about a tri.
Oh girl! Triathlons definitely can be intimidating. Katy Widrick wrote a great guest post for me a few years ago on how to make them less intimidating: https://preppyrunner.com/2011/01/so-you-want-to-try-a-tri/
So if you really wanted to try a tri: I honestly did most of my bike training on spin bikes for my first few shorter tris. I think that spin classes give you great interval training that is helpful out on the road. That said, if you can rent or borrow a road bike a few times before a tri, that would be helpful. You don't even have to clip in! What about that nice lakefront path in Chicago? I bet it gets busy but you don't have to worry about cars.
Sorry to hear about your sciatica - my dad has had those and they sound so so painful. My manager at work is currently nursing an injury, and she's been trying out some swimming, too. It's such a great low-impact workout that still is awesome cardio. In short, I'm now sipping the tri kool-aid :)
That was a great article, thanks for sharing! I definitely have the Tri itch. I think I might have to wait till next year though because of this injury :( Just found out I will probably have to have an MRI and then get an injection in my back. But that's besides the point - good luck with your training, and I enjoy reading your posts!
I had enough trouble with the concept of clipping to a spin bike let alone a regular bike and riding the paths you did! I can't even imagine. I will stick to running. Or actually, I really want to whip out my roller blades again. It's been forever and that was always so fun and a good workout.