Go Hard

Amongst endurance athletes there is often debate about quantity versus quality. While I find that the exact definitions can be argued about forever, I believe the usual arguments centre around quantity generally being long slow distance, and quality to be synonymous with intense or fast training. Unfortunately I don't think subscribing to one side or the other is in an athlete's best interests. I like to use the word quality when describing training in a different context. High intensity does not necessarily equate to quality. From a simple point of view, quality training is the training that will get you to your goal is the most appropriate manner. The first step in achieving quality training is to understand the goals of the training. That is, knowing what you aim to achieve from the training, whether it be from an individual session, a group of sessions or over a longer period of time. These goals can be very specific or more general and can include some of the following: in...

Ok... so I must be a bit sick, I had two colleagues at work comment about how tired I look today. Obviously I don't feel as bad as I look.

I didn't feel too great training over the last couple of days. First up I just put it down the drinking on ANZAC day, but yesterday I really felt flat. When Giggles got home last night she complained about how freezing the house was, but I had been surprised at house hot it was. Thinking I may have a fever. According to my schedule, I was meant to run a VO2 session on the track. That definitely wasn't going to happen. I woke up feeling like my head was going to explode, which soon eased up after I cleared my nose and sinuses. Instead I opted just for an easy 8km on the local trail and this turned out to be the better option. By the end of the run I was feeling better than when I woke up. There was a large rainbow across the sky this morning, but instead of appreciating its beauty, I found myself looking at where the yellow changes to green and wondering which part of is the same colour as my snot. I now only have two days left of my first 12 day cycle, so I'll just ...

I've recently started using MapMyRun to map out some of my long runs. After doing a run, I then map it to get an idea of the distance, plus I think it looks cool to do a flying tour over the course on google earth. For yesterdays long run I decided to plan my run ahead of time. I wanted a very hilly run on dirt roads and trails in the bush. So I mapped out a looped course of 30km with a very nasty elevation profile. I printed out a couple of maps to take with me, as I hadn't run in most of this area before, I didn't want to make a wrong turn. I woke up and discovered it was only 6 degrees. I grabbed my bandanna, gloves, sports drink powder, water bottle, maps and running belt. I only took one drink bottle, as there was drinking water available at about the half way point of the run. All looked good. After the first, relatively flat 4km, the temperature had climbed to 19 degrees and I was now ready for the hills. The next few kilometres was all about climbing. All I seemed ...

This morning was my first high intensity set on the turbo trainer. As Giggles was still in bed, I had to set up in the garage so I wouldn't wake her. It was only 7 degrees, so I was soon surrounded in a fog from my own breath and sweat. I thought it looked cool, but I am easily amused when I haven't woken up properly. The hard work was only 5x1min @ predicted VO2max effort, with 2min aerobic recovery. Doesn't look like much on paper, but my legs aren't used to this sort of effort on the bike yet, so they were hurting over the last two repeats. Then it was onto my weights program. I'm loving having the set up at home. Beats travelling to the gym. Its now a few hours later, and I feel great. Currently I'm feeling very energised after my workouts, and seem to feel faster nearly every day. I hope this continues. "It's hard to be humble, when you're as great as I am." - Muhammad Ali

I've had to swap a few sessions around this week to fit around some other commitments, so this meant I had my threshold run this morning. It was raining, but not cold. The type of steady, light rain that you stop noticing after a few minutes of running. Being early Sunday morning and wet, there wasn't much company out on the trail. I love these runs, where you know you're working, but it doesn't feel too hard. After a good 12km I felt refreshed and energised for the day. I'm now at work, and its been a very quiet start to the shift. Maybe most people are still tucked up in bed. Here's to a lazy Sunday morning.

Well it kind of is, but I can't be completely focused on one race for an entire year. If I just concentrate on the IMOZ2008 all year then I'll burn out and lose interest as I get closer. I'll need to focus my attention on different goals along the way. What do I mean? While the underlying progression of training is leading towards the Ironman, I will focus on intermediate races along the way. This will work by maintaining a steady progression of the long endurance sets throughout the year while the other sessions will change in order to prepare for the next upcoming races. Shorter races will be ideal for improving my VO2max and Threshold along with racing fitness and toughness. Plus the most important element, it will keep it all fun. While I enjoy most of my training, I absolutely love racing. So I'll include a few running races of 5-21.1km and quite possibly the Melbourne Marathon in October. I'll race a few of the duathlons over winter and then some triathlons, i...