Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday 2:30 bike and ramble
3900ft of climbing at just over 13mph average speed. High temp of 25 degrees and I topped out at 9600ft altitude. I was revved and wanting so much to push hard on the climbs and flats but I kept reminding myself that I don't have my first bike race until July so I kept it mellow and all at MAF intensity. I'm in a run focused week so tomorrow will be double runs, again at MAF because my first run race isn't for another 24 weeks. Planning my training around my race schedule is perhaps the most challenging 'coaching' I've ever done. And I've had my share of challenges. This is awesome for me though because I get to do what maybe no coach has ever done before and I can be creative with a block of stone, me. I can try things on myself that I hadn't thought of before... things you won't find in a book. I've been asked to write for a triathlon magazine, mostly about using the Canova methodology for Ironman, but also about using Ironman knowledge for ultras. Is there any reference for me on this? Nope. What I learn is what I do to myself and the best way to learn is to experiment. So I've been furiously scribbling ideas on to a piece of paper with 28 squares, one for each day of the week. Trying to use my 15 years of knowledge for the Ironman and my depth of knowledge on Renato Canova to combine ideas. I'm absolutely loving it! I had lined out my schedule until August but every day I think of something to change or try. Anyway, I'm so excited to train right now it's like an addiction. I'm healthier, stronger (I'm up to 30 log flips and trying to think of a way to add to it's weight) and more motivated than I can ever remember. I also have a few athletes that have me excited. I love trying things on myself, seeing how it works, and then be able to give them something new and fresh.
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6 comments:
I dare say I am equally as excited to train right now... Feeling highly motivated and optimistic! I'm Loving this level of motivation and I am likely not alone in appreciating all that scribbling of ideas you're doing. :)
You're one of the athletes I'm excited about... a Ferrari engine waiting to be tuned.
Cool to hear your excitement and motivation to train and improve. That's a fun state to be in. I like reading about the balance you achieve in your training. The last month and a half I have let running take over to the almost elimination of strength work. The running is improving nicely, and feeling good, but I feel fundamentally that some core strength work should be continued to maximize my ability and minimize injury potential. I assume you would agree with that?
Aaron- Definitely the strength work will minimize injury. Weak muscles get hurt easily and don't provide stabilization. Knees and back in particular. My first official sport was boxing when I was quite little. Then football then running then triathlon. Aside from the running all of those are very much strength based and I've lifted weights since the 6th grade. My injury history can be counted on less than one hand. After Leadville I realized that I was weak so the balance I've created is much less about being a good runner and more about being a strong person. If you do only one lift do squats. Squats (when done correctly) provide 100% core activation.
Great job and I look forward to reading what you have to write in the mag!
For the log flips, would it be possible to bore out the ends, add weights/rocks/etc and cap it? Something that can be removed to change out the weights?
Thanks PJ. I think I am going to use 5/8" lag bolts and attach 10 pound weight plates to each end. I was able to weight the log by balancing it on my bathroom scale and it is right at 200 pounds.
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