Blogging more about triathlon

If you read my blog you know the posts tend to be somewhat short, are generally not very serious, and occasionally include triathlon training/racing information. Bri and I have talked about me making it a bit more focused on triathlon discussion, so I'm going to include at least one post per week that has something meaningful to say about triathlon/running/swimming/cycling. So...

Since moving to NC I have been vacillating on finding a regular track running group. In Orlando the Downtown YMCA club had 40+ people at every track workout, which was great as you had a variety of people to run with on any given occasion. The local group that runs at SAS has a bunch of guys that generally run faster than me unless I am in peak condition (and you know by now I don't stay there), so intervals with them are more frustrating then encouraging.

I recently heard about a group that goes on Tuesday night from the Athlete's Foot in Cameron Village, so we'll be heading out there starting tomorrow. My goal of getting back into sub 18 5k shape needs some consistent speedwork, and while running with Bri in Umstead is great for fitness and fun, I need a track and a stopwatch.

Also, if you don't subscribe to our Newsletter, here is the latest month's training tip Planning a Season:

Around this time of year, you are targeting a final race or two, and then looking forward to next season, wondering which ones you should target, what you want to accomplish, and how high you want to fly. It's never a bad time to take a few minutes to script out a seasonal plan. Here's how you do it:

Step 1) Clearly define your goal.

Pick your key race(s). This is paramount if you are a competitive athlete.

A generalized goal like "I want to lose ten pounds and improve my run times," is a healthy athletic goal if you are active but not competitive.

Step 2) Develop an overview of how to get there.

Coaches call this the annual training plan. It is a framework of weeks and months (cycles) that target specific adaptive responses from the body.

You can call this your monthly goal chart. Each month or every few weeks you should have some sort of marker that shows your improvement (weight loss, dropped 10 seconds in a mile, etcetera).

Step 3) Develop specific milestones.

Examples: 5k in XX:XX time at the end of February. 10k in XX:XX time at the end of March.

Step 4) Develop backup milestones.

If you are knocked off track by time constraints, illness, or other personal issues, have some realistic back up milestones you can target that will help keep you motivated and on track.

Step 5) Develop your general weekly training plan.

It is best to figure out a weekly regimen you can stick to over time rather than shuffle things around every week. We are all creatures of routine and habit.

Step 6) Develop your specific weekly training plans for each cycle.

It's best to do this as you approach each month, based upon what you were able to achieve in the months prior and what you hope to accomplish in the coming month or training cycle.

Step 7) Do it.

Nothing happens without you taking action. All the steps prior to this are talk. Talk is cheap. Back it up with action.