365 (+1)

Four training cycles have past quickly. Also I am coming up for some time off work (which will be for moving house), and a different roster structure when I return. Add these together and it is probably worthwhile to have a proper review on my current training program.

The original program is covered in The Triathlon Template.



The overall concepts of my training program appear to have been sound. That is working off key sessions, that are placed in each modified week depending on work roster and other commitments. Performance-wise my response to cycling and swimming has and still is variable. Plenty of sluggish, almost backward sessions with the occasional break-through day. Running has remained stagnant. All this I am reasonably happy to accept, as I would expect a lot of variation as I struggle between my current fitness level and what my body remembers it used to do across the disciplines.

For the most part training has gone okay, but this is a review with the idea of finding ways to improve. Time to highlight the problems:

Missed Sessions - Every training week I have missed at least one key session. This has always included the Focus session, usually one swim (power/strength), and sometimes the Brick.

Lowered Intensity - In one or two sessions per week I have been forced to significantly drop the intensity or cut things short purely because of carry-over fatigue.

The above two lead to one of the biggest down falls in any training program. Which is a break in consistency. Cutting training by last minute issues (whether fatigue or time) puts inappropriate gaps and lead to at best, less than optimal results, and potentially decrease in performance. Not hitting the weekly targets play on the mind. Never quite getting it is a big drain on the enthusiasm and takes away plenty of energy. This leads to aspects of training becoming a chore instead of being my recreation.

As result I need another rethink. If there was ever one, most important element of any training program it would have to be CONSISTENCY. I need to ensure this is the mainstay of training. The further guide this consistency I need to keep my current training goal clear:

To PB at a Half Ironman/70.3 in the 2010/11 season.

Everything else is the lead up to that. To aim for a PB this summer wouldn't work, especially with the other elements to life this year.

Now I require a bit of rethinking. In perfect timing First Off The Bike published the article The Year Round Athlete. This article is definitely one of the better reads I have found and covers most of what is currently being thrown around inside my skull. Soon enough I'll put down how I plan to keep working towards my goal. A big part of which will probably include a summary and practical guide in how I can apply the concepts out of The Year Round Athlete.

Comments

  1. Tea4 May 2010 at 10:47

    Thank you for posting the article about The Year End Athlete. It's exactly what I've been needing.

    I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but once the move is done, I hope you can regain focus. You have alot on your plate right.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ewen4 May 2010 at 18:47

    Great goal for next season. I like the idea of consistency being the mainstay of the training. Like Steve Moneghetti said when asked what is the best training session, "It's the 2 x 7 x 52."

    ReplyDelete

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