Week One - Big changes, a few firsts.
The calendar is the biggest change. The Cycle Team had a calendar that I never followed, since the only team workout was on Saturdays. I made up my own rules the rest of the week, running or spinning or (occasionally) strength training as my schedule allowed. I tried to do some kind of exercise at least 4 days a week, but missing a day didn’t cause too much concern.
Now, though, I have guidance. I have structure. I have a calendar with precise instructions, and those that know me know I thrive on instructions and goals and order. My brain is filled with the task of aligning my training calendar and my life for the next week, and likely will be every Sunday evening for the next 10 months. Joy.
Another change: a swim drill I can appreciate. In past triathlon training, I was assigned drills but never felt like they impacted my swim performance. On Saturday, we learned a drill that I could actually feel the value of – I could feel my muscles responding in the way the drill meant them to respond. Already this season I feel calmer and more confident in the water than I have in the past, and finding a drill that does what it is supposed to rather than feeling like a rote waste of time builds my confidence even more.
And a brand new trick: the bike trainer. This puppy cost a fortune, and I still need more costly accessories for using it, but it should help me during a long, wet winter of training. Cycle day is Thursday, but there are no convenient spin classes at the gym on Thursday – what’s a girl to do? Spin at home! I purchased a few online training videos with names like “Sufferfest – The Long Scream” to keep me motivated and get my heart rate up up up. We’ll have group spins with the team, but I’m already thrilled at the thought of my own home gym.
There was a lot to process in this first week, but already I’m feeling fit and ready to tackle this challenge.
The calendar is the biggest change. The Cycle Team had a calendar that I never followed, since the only team workout was on Saturdays. I made up my own rules the rest of the week, running or spinning or (occasionally) strength training as my schedule allowed. I tried to do some kind of exercise at least 4 days a week, but missing a day didn’t cause too much concern.
Now, though, I have guidance. I have structure. I have a calendar with precise instructions, and those that know me know I thrive on instructions and goals and order. My brain is filled with the task of aligning my training calendar and my life for the next week, and likely will be every Sunday evening for the next 10 months. Joy.
Another change: a swim drill I can appreciate. In past triathlon training, I was assigned drills but never felt like they impacted my swim performance. On Saturday, we learned a drill that I could actually feel the value of – I could feel my muscles responding in the way the drill meant them to respond. Already this season I feel calmer and more confident in the water than I have in the past, and finding a drill that does what it is supposed to rather than feeling like a rote waste of time builds my confidence even more.
And a brand new trick: the bike trainer. This puppy cost a fortune, and I still need more costly accessories for using it, but it should help me during a long, wet winter of training. Cycle day is Thursday, but there are no convenient spin classes at the gym on Thursday – what’s a girl to do? Spin at home! I purchased a few online training videos with names like “Sufferfest – The Long Scream” to keep me motivated and get my heart rate up up up. We’ll have group spins with the team, but I’m already thrilled at the thought of my own home gym.
There was a lot to process in this first week, but already I’m feeling fit and ready to tackle this challenge.
Week 1 Mileage:
TUESDAY, 11/13 Swim - 30 minutes WEDNESDAY, 11/14 Run (elliptical) - 30 minutes Core - 20 minutes THURSDAY, 11/15 Spin - 40 minutes FRIDAY, 11/16 Run - 30 minutes (3.5 miles) Core - 25 minutes SATURDAY, 11/17 (coached) Swim - 40 minutes Run - 40 minutes (4.5 miles) Core - 25 minutes SUNDAY, 11/18 (coached) Swim - 45 minutes Run - 50 minutes (5.5 miles) Bike - 90 minutes (20 miles) Core - 20 minutes | Totals: Swim: 1 hour 55 minutes Bike: 2 hours 10 minutes (20 miles) Run: 2 hours 30 minutes (13.5 miles) Core: 1 hour 35 minutes Total: 8 hours 10 minutes |