Another Saturday post? How did this happen? Actually, I’m trying out something new this week!
One of the questions I get often is “wow, you’re doing an ironman. what do you do for training?”. Honestly, I have a tough time answering that question. Are they curious about how many hours a week I train? What my workouts look like? When I do train? And the answer to all those questions could easily change depending on where I am in the training cycle.
I also like the accountability of logging my workouts in a public place. I used to be REALLY good about that when I used beginnertriathlete.com. I still go back to review what I did in training for a particular race occasionally - it’s a good guideline for what worked or didn’t in certain areas. That slipped over the last year and I don’t even know how many miles I ran or biked last year (gasp!).
So all that is my wordy way of saying I’m going to start sharing my workouts for the week on Saturdays. While I could share my workouts on Mondays, that’s MMAZ and I’m not changing that! Instead, I’ll share my training on a Saturday – Friday schedule (instead of the Monday – Sunday schedule I actually plan my workouts). We’ll see how that works.
And because I appreciate you keeping me accountable, I’ll also share one workout from the week that you can use in your own training!
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Saturday 12/29: 2 hour bike
Getting back to normal after a week of family + Christmas. After snowboarding for a few hours in the morning, we got on the bikes in the basement and rode while watching Brave on onDemand.
Sunday 12/30: 9 mile run
It was cold and the trail was covered in snow and we left our new Yaktrax at home. But I enjoyed the beautiful scenery while listening to the end of Redeeming Love on Audiobook. Pace was a little slower than I hoped, but within my long run target range.
Side note: Mama Pea recommended this book and it was fantastic!
Monday 12/31: 1400 yard swim + chest/tri strength
After a very lazy morning in my PJs, going to the gym was a bit of a struggle. We hit the weights first, so I got to wear my new PV Body pink shirt and Yogi Clothing pants for the first time out of the house. Getting stronger a little at a time!
Today’s swim was an endurance focus, so more long intervals. I’m working on slowly increasing my interval distances, so today’s 500 was a new record for this round of training.
Tuesday 1/1: (BRICK) 30 minute bike + 5 mile run
After watching UGA beat Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl, we did an easy ride on the trainer, followed immediately by the run. To make the ride more interesting, I picked up the pace during commercials for fartleks on the bike!
Very cold on the run, but the pace felt okay. I need warmer gloves for running in Colorado!
Wednesday 1/2: 1400 yard swim + 5 mile run
Swim before our first day back to work. Today’s swim was a speed focus, my first of this round of training. With both fast 25s and 75s, I was reminded that I have a ways to go in training!
Run on the treadmill after work, using the office gym. Had the gym to myself and did my 5k/10k intervals while listening to my Selena Gomez Pandora station (yep). My paces still feel harder than they should, but I’m feeling a little bit of progress here.
Thursday 1/3: 1 hour bike + back/bi strength
Bike before work on the trainer, watching the beginning of The Thomas Crown Affair on OnDemand (free). Did a cadence workout today with 1 minute all-out intervals at the end. Trainer workouts make the time go by so much faster!
After work we headed to the gym for strength training, where I rocked my PV Body cropped pants. I’m at a weird weight with preacher curls and really struggled to get my sets done. Good thing Kirk works out with me to spot!
Friday 1/4: 10 mile 5.5ish run
Tried moving our long runs to Fridays, since they are shorter than the long bikes and we want one weekend day off (for snowboarding). Realized after we got up early and dressed, that neither one of really wanted to go running in the dark & cold – we’ll figure out a new plan next week.
Postponed until after work, which ended up still being dark by the time I got home. Almost didn’t go, then remembered I had this post and forced myself out the door. Then my stomach started bothering me on the run and my Garmin died around 4 miles. I gave in and just headed home…I think the route I finished was about 5.5 mile. Fail…
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Question for you:
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What do you think – do you like weekly workout posts?
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How was your training over the past week?
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow–great job with all your training! Even if Friday’s workout didn’t, well, work out, you got in quite a bit this past week. Nice work!
Thanks! Next week will new better – moving my long run back to tree weekend when I’ll have a better chance for daylight. :)
Oh wow I really appreciate you sharing this. I’ve always wondered how to triathletes train. You listen to audiobooks while you run. That’s amazing! I’ve listened to podcasts one time that it was pouring outside and I had to treadmill 11 miles. Definitely made things much more enjoyable!
Nadiya @ Milk and Honey on the Run recently posted..“Archille`s heel“ of cancer
I keep thinking podcasts would be fun too, but there’s none I really follow. I should look around. Thanks for the feedback on the post, I’ll keep this recap post. :)
I love your training recap post. I think it’s a great idea. While I have no intention of training for an ironman, seeing your workouts still inspires me in my own. I do plan to up my training this year. However I have spent the first week of 2013 sicker than I can ever remember, so I have not accomplished a thing so far (including even writing my fitness goals for 2013 blog post)
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..2013 Blog Goals and a New Blog Design!
Yay – glad you like the training recap! Sorry you’ve been sick, that stinks. :( You’ll be even more ready to conquer the year next week when you’re better! :)
So do you like your trainer? I got a bike finally and now it’s not only winter but with the blood thinners falling is not really a cool option for me. So, been thinking about a trainer. Anyway….I’m always so impressed by those training for an Iron Man. It takes so much dedication!
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Food Friday with Field Roast Soup
LOVE my trainer, but its old and you could get a better one now. Check out performance bikes and nashbar online, they usually have great deals! I’m happy too help if you have questions!
I LOVE knowing how you train. If nothing else, it reminds me that every run I run doesn’t have to be (shouldn’t be!) 9 or 10 miles. :) [Especially since I'm not training for anything.] I always get curious about training programs and schedules and whatnot…
I had a near fail run myself this week, but I somehow managed to push through. I can NOT motivate myself to run in the dark and cold…I know my mileage will ‘suffer’ this winter, but I’m not worried about it. [Again, not actually training...]
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen recently posted..Vegan Pepperoni [Seitain Italian Sausage]
I’m so impressed you pushed through a run even without a goal – rockstar!! I would probably have skipped. :)
Don’t you love the accountability blogging provides? I would have stayed on the couch Friday. ;)
have you ever done a post on nutrition for long distance? I’m doing that adventure race in a couple of weeks and am not sure how to fuel for 6-8 hours… or how to eat in the few day leading up. Just add carbs?
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Strange But Good Beginnings
Yes – at least it helped get some of my run in!
I don’t know that I’ve done a long distance specific post, but it’s a good idea! I’ll schedule one for January, but you can call or email me too. :)
I forgot how much I wanted to do a tri this year until I read this post…so thanks for that! You are certainly an inspiration, my friend. Have a wonderful weekend. :)
Amanda @ Run Principessa recently posted..Adventure is Out There!
Awesome – I love encouraging people to race! Happy Saturday! :)
I know you’ve got a training plan and everything, but it looks to me like your body was saying no way to the run on Friday because you already busted ass all week. So don’t think of it as a fail. I know it was your “long run” day, but you did 9 miles already this week, and that was only 1 mile different. :)
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Nah, I don’t think so this time. Remember that Sunday’s run was my long run for last week and Friday was this week. I think sun is a big help for me in cold, long runs. I’ll be adjusting next week. ;)
Yes! I like the weekly workout recaps. I don’t do them myself but seeing as how I like to read them I wonder if others might be interested…hmm…you might be onto something. ;) Great work with staying consistent in this first week of the New Year, Heather! Solid workouts, gaining strength, and making yourself move – so good.
My training’s been pretty good! Getting back into the swing after only hiking and getting turns in with back country skiing over the holidays (although 85 km isn’t bad for a “break!”)…good to be back in the gym. Started a pull up program and I’m loving it!
I think all that back country definitely counts as a workout, just more fun. :) I’d love reading about your workouts too! Plus is helps us encourage each other even better!
Wow… you’re working out every day? Do you try to incorporate rest days at all?
Miranda @ Biting Life recently posted..Book Review: What Alice Forgot
Oh yes! Today is an off day, last weekend was just wierd coming off the holidays. :)
A lot of triathlon blogs are boring because they end up merely being a rattling off of all the training sessions. Too much detail is needlessly navel-gazing (in my opinion), but too little is dry. I like what you’ve done with this post, there’s a little blurb (and image) for most of the sessions. I’m trying to do something similar on my blog for my half-marathon training.