Comments | trigeeks: Seeking training wisdom

skifferdrifter in trigeeks

Seeking training wisdom

Oct 08, 2009 21:15

Hi, all!

So, I'm gearing up for my first Olympic length triathlon, and I have a couple of training questions:

1. Swimming fitness: As I've been doing longer swimming workouts, I've noticed that I am getting fitter (my time trials over set distances are faster at the same heart rate and I feel I can go longer). However, it feels now like it takes me ( Read more... )

Comments 3

meadowood October 8 2009, 12:52:33 UTC

First off, good on ya for bumping up the challenge. The fact that you're asking these questions means you'll rock it!

1. I've had the same experience. I have found that by increasing the intensity after the first 200m or so you can get warmer quicker. Nothing TOO insane but in your normal warm up do a few 25m pick ups at Zn 4 (85-90%max) to get everything flowing.

2. Can't help you here. But god love ya for hanging in there!

3. Learn to love hills. Truly. Nothing will increase your cycling fitness quicker than climbing. I found that by changing my perspective - initially through self-talk, "Oh look! A hill. Awesome!" rather than, "OH NO! A HILL!!!!" - I was able to enjoy hill training. And yes! They will definitely help you race a flat course!!

jmboyles October 8 2009, 13:28:44 UTC

3) ditto the above comment. Hill training on the bike will make you stronger on flats. BTW--it will also help your running. One tip for hills is that you shouldn't downshift directly to the granny gear. Try to downshift 2-3 gears up from the lowest--and then notch down from there. Your chain will be much happier.

noodle_nose October 8 2009, 16:06:48 UTC

i have the same fear of hills, too. the hills i encounter are along really busy trails. i've actually gotten to just before the crest of one hill before i just toppled over because the people in front of me were going too slow. i literally just fell over. i felt really stupid... i think my problem comes from not knowing how to effectively use my gears. i tend to try and power through them, but i know that's far from efficient.

i know that training with hills will certainly build up strength and stamina, which translates to being a stronger cyclist on flat courses. i certainly don't like them any better, even knowing their benefits.