Yesterday my husband and I finished our longest run yet this year- 5 miles. Not a huge accomplishment on our road to the Ironman, but for me it is a big deal. Getting back into the swing of things and making improvements is always tough in the first month of training. It seems the time it takes me to get to a 'comfortable run' (and that nice runners high) is decreasing after each completed season. I believe in taking time off during the winter to unwind and enjoy other hobbies (like getting to drink beer on Friday night because you don't have a long run in the morning!). For me, this is a much needed mental break from all the stresses (mental and body alike) that come with demanding training, like that necessary for an Ironman (or even half Ironman). It's nice to know you don't lose your muscle memory over a few months of down time.
Something weird I discovered the other day is that my normal running shoes- Asics Nimbus- are no longer as comfortable as they have been in past years. The heel drop makes me feel like I'm running in high heel shoes. The shoes are new, so it's not that they are worn out. I mentioned I was doing crossfit over the winter, and my theory is that wearing minimalist shoes while lifting weights (and on our short runs around the building) somehow changed the mechanics of my running to where I prefer a lower drop heel.
*Nimbus shoes have a heel drop (from heel to toe) of 11.5mm vs my New Balance 1080 with 8mm drop (minimalist is 0 drop)*.
Off to the gym for a nice and slow swim!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Pre-Season
A friend suggested I blog about my experiences training for my second Ironman Florida. I guess I'll start off with who I am. I am a military brat that has traveled the world and ended up in beautiful Colorado. I went to Colorado State University in Fort Collins for my bachelors degree in Biology. After that I landed a job at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora studying a cell therapy to prolong heart and lung graft survival. After working there for 5 years we hit a rough patch and our funding ran dry. I am currently working at SwimLabs where I analyze swim stroke and help people attain their own goals. My husband and I are newlyweds enjoying our first year of marriage!
While it is still considered the 'off season' for triathletes, and I didn't have any winter goals other than to relax and prepare for the intense training ahead, I have been keeping in shape through crossfit. Yes, some of you may roll your eyes at this new 'fad' way of working out, but I find it keeps me in shape and has evened out my muscular imbalances from the miles of swimming, biking, and running from last year. Crossfit has allowed me to stay in shape over the winter without getting sick of any of the 3 sports I will be doing come training time.
Just last month my CF gym decided we were going to do a 5k on New Years Day. I hadn't put on my running shoes since September so I knew I was in for a long, slow run. Long story short there was a difference between the feeling you get when you run after a long time off, and this run. Although my cardio strength was lacking and my lungs ached, my leg strength wasn't the normal limiting factor-they felt great!
My plan is to continue going to my CF gym throughout my training, which I have never done strength training during the season since I've read that's the thing to do during your down-time off season. I guess we'll see how it works!
While it is still considered the 'off season' for triathletes, and I didn't have any winter goals other than to relax and prepare for the intense training ahead, I have been keeping in shape through crossfit. Yes, some of you may roll your eyes at this new 'fad' way of working out, but I find it keeps me in shape and has evened out my muscular imbalances from the miles of swimming, biking, and running from last year. Crossfit has allowed me to stay in shape over the winter without getting sick of any of the 3 sports I will be doing come training time.
Just last month my CF gym decided we were going to do a 5k on New Years Day. I hadn't put on my running shoes since September so I knew I was in for a long, slow run. Long story short there was a difference between the feeling you get when you run after a long time off, and this run. Although my cardio strength was lacking and my lungs ached, my leg strength wasn't the normal limiting factor-they felt great!
My plan is to continue going to my CF gym throughout my training, which I have never done strength training during the season since I've read that's the thing to do during your down-time off season. I guess we'll see how it works!
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