Skip to main content

Week 4: TESTING



Week 4 - TESTING WEEK! This week focused on determining target heart rate zones in each sport to be able to better push in future training. Last year I didn't do heart rate testing. Many Ironman athletes base their workouts and heart rate zones based on perceived effort which is how I trained last year. In an attempt to stick to my goal to improve on the bike, I knew that this year I needed to do the bike test and find my true target heart rates instead of just listening to my body. It was scary to do this test - because Isaac and I tested the same night, and it's a little embarrassing to see how weak I am at cycling compared to him. I hate being weaker and slower... For testing, you have to have someone there with you to write down your heart rate and perceived effort at each MPH increase. I'm hoping that having done this test and knowing my target heart rate zones moving forward, I will improve my bike time and skill. Also, Isaac ordered me a new triathlon bike online this weekend... which should help me improve as well... pictures to come when it comes in!
Swims weren't too long this week. I've been so bad - I've been skipping technique swims because I hate them, and this week instead of skipping it I stole a swim from week 12 to do instead. I am going to need to force technique swims in the future, I can't always skip them. They are just so slow and I'm always in the pool at the busiest times in the fast lane... so I don't want to be doing drills for 30 minutes slowing down my lane!
My run on Thursday was so gorgeous - the weather was so warm I ran in a t-shirt, I saw a group of seals along the waterfront, and the city was alive and vibrant with people celebrating st pattys day. It was gorgeous!
 
Saturday: I switched my weekend workout days. I wanted to get in a mountain run before the runs get too long to take the trek out to Cougar Mountain. I rode my bike for an hour then drove out to hit 90 minutes on the trails. I can't find the words to describe how I feel trail running, especially out there. I just love it. When people always claim that running helps them "clear their mind" or whatever, only trail running out at that mountain actually hits that zen place for me these days. I still love running in the city, but trail running is incredibly different. It takes focus, it takes mental strength to push up 10 minutes of uphill climbing, it takes navigation skills... it just connects you to earth. I love it. I came to the realization yesterday while I was running in terms of what my goals are and why I'm doing Ironman. I do love the sport, but I'm not concerned with qualifying for world champs in Kona... Isaac is. I am going to help Isaac qualify for Kona, and then he is going to help me run a 100 mile trail race. Long trail races like that require support, and at times allow a running buddy for portions. So that is my goal - get Isaac to Kona, and he will get me to a long trail race.
Sunday: 3 hour trainer ride and 20 minute t-run. Same as I've done a few other weekends. It's going to hurt as I'm super sore from the trails yesterday and lifting afterwards. I am currently waiting to get on my bike, since Isaac and I are on opposite workouts he gets to start on the trainer with his 1 hour ride pre-run. Can't complain about sipping coffee and getting a chance to wake up before sitting on that saddle for 3 hours. (I can't wait for my new bike - it comes with a way better seat than I've been riding on - it'll be a lot more comfortable!)
 
Successful week. I hit every workout this week except a lifting session on Thursday. Heading into another build week but looking forward to it. Can't believe I'm already 4 weeks into training, feels like less.
 
I can't say I found that spark this week that I've been looking for, outside of having the best run ever on the trails yesteday, but I didn't have a tough time getting in my workouts and getting shit done, so that's been nice. Training was enjoyable this week.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2021/2022 - Pregnancy, baby, return to racing

WOW. So much has changed since I last posted in here. About two months after that last post I found out I was pregnant!  I spent 2021 in various phases of life: First trimester I was super sick and actually unable to even get much movement in! I don't think I've ever worked out that little in my life! Every day just felt like a struggle to survive. Second and third trimesters I was able to swim, bike, run and lift. I was able to run up until a couple days before I gave birth! I mostly ran and lifted - I hated biking pregnant and wanted to limit my covid exposure so I didn't go to the pool super consistently until the very end of my pregnancy. I spent the rest of 2021 fumbling my way through learning how to be a mom and take care of a baby! It was months of living in a haze of no sleep, hormones and tears BUT with all of that in the rear view, it was an amazing time of growth and learning so much. I had 4 IM branded deferred races from 2020 that rolled to 2021, then to 2022....
Post a Comment
Read more

2020

Since I usually use this blog for training and race reports, clearly haven't had much to update in 2020! This years' calendar was supposed to include: Victoria 70.3 CDA 70.3 Santa Rosa 140.6 WA 70.3 70.3 WORLDS in Taupo, NZ! Clearly, none of these were a reality this year. It's been a rollercoaster of a year but I think I've done a decent job with coping. I never stopped training, still keeping up an average of 12-15 hours a week. It's kept me sane despite everything going on in our country and our world. In the absence of racing I've picked up some new hobbies, one being gravel riding (thanks to Rosanne Kelley!!)! I am a SUPER newb but have had fun exploring some new places and learning some actual bike handling skills (which is for sure a weakness of mine).  Otherwise, I feel pretty fortunate this year. I'm able to work remotely for my job and have a nice setup in the townhouse now. I miss my work friends SO much but we've found some ways to spend time...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week 5: Build

Another build week. Hit all my workouts AND added an extra bike on Wednesday morning. I've been pretty busy this week, lots of nights where I'm not done working out until 8pm or getting home around that time. I have only been getting about 6 hours or so of sleep during the week so my energy wasn't super high. One good thing that starts to happen the better shape I get into as we build in this training plan - no matter how low I think my energy is, as soon as I start working out my body shifts into gear and seems to have limitless potential. I love that. It's just the mental battle to get started despite my muscle fatigue, mental fatigue, soreness... which luckily this week wasn't hard at all. I've hit that point where I don't think about wanting to workout or not - it's not an option, it's just what I do, "sometimes you just do things"... Feels good to be getting back into that mindset instead of dreading going to the pool or getting o...
Post a Comment
Read more