Figuring out what works and some other stuff

And what doesn't.

It's funny that it has taken me roughly, uh, all six or so seasons to figure what works for me in Triathlon, and surprisingly, when I've tried to make a list about the what works for me in "life" I cannot pin down a solid list (only because I think some things are negotiable)...

It's a good exercise and I really think all of my friends who haven't tried it could benefit, so here's my Tri list:

What works:

1. I need to swim 3000y a session at least 3x a week to be a moderately poor performing triathlete.

To be a better than mediocre triathlon swimmer then we are looking at 3500y 4x a week average.

2. I perform better as a swimmer if I do dryland drills and use strength cords. I've never done it consistently but after a little consistency (recently) and having a good discussion recently about how women can really benefit from strength in the sport it dawned on me that I am in this boat, although, I am not a woman. :)

3. One day hard on the bike has to be followed by an easy day. I improve when there is a strong element of control in my program.

4. Running everyday year round works wonders for me as a triathlete (it did as a runner too).

5. Track works for me but I have to be careful with ratcheting up intensity. If intensity goes up too quick I usually have a niggle that lingers.

What doesn't work:

1. Failing to account for good recovery in terms of: Sleep and eating right.

2. Drinking too much. It leaves me tired, reduces my power measurably on the bike and in the swim and I can't run as long, though from years of hard running I can run pretty much any distance in any condition, I will just suffer to do so.

3. Lack of stability in life schedule: Duh, it makes it hard to plan a workout sked. Currently this a non-issue. I've moved back to Oregon; live near a pool & Nike campus (track, running trails) and have no job. The environment is conducive to plenty of training and not having a job makes it easy to plan sessions.

4. Emotional stability: I suppose it's a personal admission but when everything is hunky dory on the home front I can knuckle down and train with more focus and verve. It's linked to job and, well, personal life with a stable mate who is supportive.

5. Over-training. Seems obvious, but it's not for me. It's ride related; for example, I have tendency to "go bananas" when it's nice out and ride a ton as if I'm never going to see a sunny sky in another six months, but that's dumb and I'm used to training in pretty poor weather.
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What have I been up to?

Well, it's been a couple of weeks of training, one of those was so-so and this last week and a half has been good. I got sick in the process of moving and that zapped me but I've been on top of doubles with a rest day (single) here and there and it's been going well since being ill..

Not setting the world on fire, but the consistency is there and I'm seeing little improvements; it is still spring time so the big thing is not be hurt, tick over good gears on the bike, run and swim alot without drilling myself.

And I also recently had a rude awakening around my perceptions, re Short-course racing.

I am not a short-courser.

Well, I know that *anyone* could have told me that but it took finding out that a guy who really got the best of me in a very short race last year I absolutely killed at IMC.

I've always suspected that maybe my lack of 20k/40k TT speed (and inability to swim fast for any distance) was an issue. Now I have proof.

All that said, I still *love* sprints darn it. I think they help me build fitness for the longer stuff, and as long as they are not a focus I think there is value in racing them.

Oh, the mountain bike is still in the shop, waiting on the replacement fork.. That will be fun too.