Need Help
Sat, 17/05/2008 - 10:01pm
Need Help
Hello - I'm a total beginner - I'm off on a business trip for three weeks (nowhere nice, Riyadh). Can't swim or cycle whilst I'm there. Is there any weight training that I can do that will help my swimming...and bike?
Mat,
looking at the date of your message, I'm guessing that you are already away on your trip. Probably best to concentrate on your "core" strength. This is an area of weakness in most triathletes. Correct form is crucial, so get advice if you are using a gym.
Stretch cords are useful for any future trips. They are great for swim specific workouts aswell as general strength training and can easily be slipped into your luggage. They can also be used as part of a swim warm up before a triathlon (some thing that few people seem to consider)
Good Luck
Rob Strachan
Thanks Rob,
Still a few days to go before I get home. I've done some core work but (as usual) nowhere near sufficient . I'll have a look for stretch cords when I get back. Sounds like a great idea.
Thanks again.
Mat
PS - Important safety tip for anyone who might see this......I found out that running around Riyadh in dodgy bright red lycra shorts appears to be frowned upon (got into a little bit of a 'misunderstanding' - bit frightening really)..........apparently there are parks where it's okay though.
Lycra is rarely acceptable... I think we live in a remarkably tolerant society ;)
Hope you make it back ok Mat!!!
Hello.
I need more help.
Now the nights are drawing in, I'm thinking about next year and what I want to achieve. This was my firsts year off the sofa and I tackled sprint and olympic distance. In 2009 I want to do more olys and then a middle distance (thinking Vitruvian). This means dropping some fat over winter. I can only fit 6 or 7 hours in a week.
I've heard Phil talk about 'building a base' and I read a book on holiday that said that I should train aerobically (<80% Max HR), going slower but longer. I've started trying this but I'm not sure I'm doing it right.
My Max HR is 196 (sprint-ish finish at my first half marathon) so I'm running at just under 155 bpm. This means that I'm going very, very slowly (10 minute miles) and runs feel a lot easier than they should. I do 8 miles on a Saturday (one or two 6 miles during the week) and intend to add a mile each week until I get towards 20ish.
On the turbo I'm struggling after an hour at 155bpm (lose the will to live - even watching Bond films).
The going slower bit is easy enough but how much longer should I go in buildiing a base for next year? Should I be running longer (or doing more short runs during the week)? How do I get longer rides in over winter (at the mo I manage a couple of hours on Sunday and plan to extend this to four over the winter)? Should I be doing two or more hours on the turbo?
Sorry for the long post. Any help appreciated
Hi Matt,
My advice on the above would be pick your event/goal for next year now so you can work out your time scales. this will give you the best opportunity to figure out where your base trainig should take place and how you can peak for the race or races which are most important to you.
Base training is the key to get a good fitness level in for your season but I am sure phil can give you more advice about periodisation/planning a programme.
But I think the key is...enter something now so you can starting focusing on how to achieve that goal!
Matt
My advice find an event that inspires you, workout a training regime you enjoy, develop a training plan and try and stick to it where possible. Also as Adam says the club coaches give their services because they want to help you so use them.
Sue