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May 20, 2008
The Next Phase
My college coach always used to break our cross country and track seasons down into three different phases and since then I have a hard time NOT thinking of my triathlon season in that way.
Of course my first year of triathlon was a mishmash of whatever race I could find, mostly sprints, and didn't resemble any sort of planned out process. My second season (last year) I had a little better idea of what I was doing but a mid season bike crash sort of threw everything off and I was forced to revamp mid-summer. This year was the best planning I've done yet (with the help of my coach of course!!) as not only did I get the races a little better spaced but I also more strategically decided upon periods of training as based on race distance. Hopefully it will stay that way and I won't be forced by injury or otherwise, to abandon my brilliant scheduling! :)
Either way, the three phases Coach Sullivan always talked about were the base training/early racing period, the tough training/bulk of racing period and then finally the sharp training/championship racing period. Of course I totally just made those names up and I'm sure she had much fancier terms, but you get the gist.
I just finished phase one of my triathlon season - mostly made up of a lot of base training, a little speed and two early season races. I'm calling it a success. :)
So next up of course, is the meat of the season - some down and dirty training with the bulk of the racing. And then finally, after an "A" race 1/2 IM in August, I will start on the final phase of the season where I will hopefully have 3 championship races to compete in! :)
Anyway, coach and I set up this next part of my summer training and racing and I am already so excited to get started! I get giddy looking at those tough workouts - the 4.5-5K swims, the 4 hour rides and the 2 hour runs! And of course the speed sessions, the long bricks. I was like a kid in a candy store looking through the workouts and then adding in the races, etc... And then after a while it sunk in - wow - that is A LOT of training to accomplish! At which point I quickly reminded myself to take one week, and one day at a time. :)
So here we go! After two easy recovery days (swim yesterday, bike/run today) I am rearing to go for "The Next Phase" - starting bright and early at the YMCA tomorrow morning of course... :)
Good night everyone!
Posted by beth at May 20, 2008 9:09 PM
Comments
Nice race in Columbia! Indeed Phase One was a huge success!
I love looking ahead in my training and racing plans as well, but I am trying to keep things in check and simply make the most of each and every day...So far so good :-)
Can't Stop Dreaming through
Posted by: Cathy Yndestad at May 21, 2008 10:36 AM
Nice race in Columbia! Indeed Phase One was a huge success!
I love looking ahead in my training and racing plans as well, but I am trying to keep things in check and simply make the most of each and every day...So far so good :-)
Can't Stop Dreaming though
Posted by: Cathy Yndestad at May 21, 2008 10:37 AM
i want to know what the three championships are! i am guessing AG nationals, AG worlds, and clearwater, but i could be wrong.
once again GREAT job in your race on saturday!!!
Posted by: barb at May 21, 2008 10:45 AM