2006 Florida Triathlon Mini Camp Day #3

Day Three has come and gone...but as the image on the left indicates, there are some lingering effects from this recent surge in riding. :) Day three totals are 45 mins running, 15 mins core, 60 mins swimming and 240 mins riding...another 6 hours and a grand total of 14 hours in 2.5 days.

Weather was a consideration today, as it was way warmer (75-degrees) but I couldn't tell until I stopped to eat. Then my legs started to cook in the sun! Wind was a bear as well...felt it swimming in the outdoor pool (gotta love that!) but really took a beating on my return trip to Clermont. The wind just got worse by the hour, and by 3pm it was cooking. Probably comes straight in off the ocean with nothing to stop it for all I know. Whatever it was, it was a serious challenge and made even the flat bits (and there weren't that many!) challenging.

Some random thoughts that popped up during my ride...

Stacking this kind of training requires some serious patience...most folks push it a bit too hard when they take the binge training approach. I did too (last year) and I learned my lesson when I had to take some time off...that's worse that 'just' getting 'regular' training in...so it's just not worth it. In order to make it successful, at this early stage of the game, it's all about keeping it aerobic and emphasizing the bike. You can go overboard and come back again on the bike in a way that let's you keep going...it just doesn't happen with running and swimming. So my ratio of run:swim:bike is about 1:1.5:4. My butt hurts, but that's about it! :)

Headwinds are an opportunity to get tougher...most triathletes seriously complain about a stiff headwind...but the real troopers just get aero, shift appropriately and get to work. A headwind allows you to get instant feedback on your form and your gear selection. Or you can work on pushing a bigger gear...look for the positives here so when you are hit w/ a headwind on race day, your response will be to your advantage (and your competitors' disadvantage).

Discomfort is just adaptation waiting to happen...that fatigue in my legs, that tightness in my neck, the stiffness in my shoulders...they are all signs that I am back on the path to getting into race shape. It helps me put these minor aches and pains into perspective, and look on them a little more favorably, as I know fitness is just around the corner. Hopefully I remember that as I try to get out of bed tomorrow! :-)

Get out there and chase your dreams...no one else can do it for you!

Patrick