Triathlon Training Plans and Training Update

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Tri Geek training plans offer all levels of triathlon training for all distances of triathlon. The plans are easy to follow for those who self coach and need the structured workouts written out for them. Check out the site and what they have to offer.



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I had a good interval run this morning. I am planning one more triathlon this season. The Marineland Olympic distance triathlon on October 17th. This will be my last triathlon this season, then it's back to strengthening my run with run focus and a half marathon, at least one, this winter. I plan to build a solid bike base over the winter as well so I can continue to improve my bike. My swim will have to improve this year. It is definitely my weak spot because I just hate swimming in the pool and I tend to skip the swim workouts if I need to miss something. I really hope to improve my swim so I'm not so spent getting out of the water. I usually have a decent time, but it takes a lot out of me. I hope to make decent improvements this "off" season like last year. I love living in Florida for the winter. Training year round is great. I'm ready for the heat and humidity to go away. If I can improve as much this year as last, I will be very happy next season.

Tempo Runs and Triathlon Training

This morning was a 5 mile run with 3 mile tempo in the middle. I was running with a fast group and it was a tough morning. I like running with them because it really pushes me. Each mile gets progressively faster. We started with a 7:01, then 6:55. The last mile was a 6:47 pace and proved to be too much for me to hold. I slowed to a manageable 7:20 pace and finished the 3 miles. The last cool down mile was nice and I was ready for it. I feel like the speed work is starting to push my speed up a bit, so it feels good and hurts at the same time.

I feel pretty good about my race this weekend. It is a local sprint triathlon with a 1/2 mile swim, 15 mile bike and a 4 mile beach run. The run on the beach is tough. There is always some soft sand to deal with. I'm hoping to pass a couple of the guys that always seem to edge me out on the run. This is the last local race, so I would like to do really well. I have lots of friends racing this weekend so it should be lots of fun.

I'll put up a report after the race. Happy training to everyone.

First Sprint Triathlon of The Season : Ormond Y Tri

Sunday was my first sprint triathlon of this season. I was very anxious to race because after spending so much of the winter training for my run, I had issues come up before each one of my early season olympic races.

The Friday before Daytona Frogman, I came down with the stomach flu and was down like 8 pounds by the time Sunday came around. I had bad plantar fasciitis issues for 6 weeks before St. Anthony's and had to walk half of the run for that.

I have got back to light running with the help of my Vibram shoes and "The Stick". I felt good going in to the race this weekend.

The swim was a 1/4 mile ocean swim and there was a little surf that made the swim interesting for some of the participants. I am comfortable with swimming in the surf as I have grown up surfing and I'm used to the ocean. I came out in 8:22 (some said the course was a bit long but who cares). I felt good running up the approach to the transition area.

I hopped on the bike and took off. I was in approximately 20th position after the swim. I made a few good passes and kept the head down and gave it all I had for the short 10 mile course. I put in 22.8 mph avg. in 26:20. I came off the bike in 12th position. After a quick transition, I was off on the 3 mile run.

I started off by holding back a little to make sure the foot was going to hold up and slowly increased my pace. I had some really good runners pass me by and held on with what I had. I had a good sprint to the finish and held off a couple runners. I ended up finishing the run in 22:51. In hind sight I probably could have went a bit harder in the beginning, but since I was not sure about my foot, I felt it was smarter to test it out first.

I am in the 35-39 age group and it was tough. I ended up 6th in my age group and 20th overall with a time of 59:35. I was happy with the overall results and it was the first time I have broken the 1 hour mark in a tri. The next one is in 3 weeks and I will be looking to push a little harder and knock off a couple guys that have beaten me over the last couple years.