Dave Gardner Macro Thread
Hi Dave,
This is your very own “Macro Thread” where you and I can discuss any questions you may have about the Triathlon Season Roadmap (TSR) that I created for you here. This is also a space where we can discuss any big picture, season planning, race schedule and other related issues you may have going forward.
Welcome aboard!
0
Comments
Wow, things move fast around here, lots of info to absorb! I'm spending time looking around and getting things figured out. I'll lead off with several macro questions regarding season planning and getting started stuff.
Most importantly a little about my A race, Alaskaman. It's a little more difficult than your average iron distance race and may require some enhanced preparation. While there is only 4000 ft gain on the bike, there's 6,000 on the run, 5,000 ft in the the last 7 miles (up a mountain twice). Essentially the last 7 miles is a difficult hike on very tired legs. While I would love to do Texas 70.3 in April, my plan was to do it as a lead up race. After reading one of your posts that a half may not be the best prep for a full, I'm wondering if my training time might be better spent on other things. Have you done different things coaching athletes from the extreme tri series (Noresman, Celtman, etc)?
I'm an airline pilot (Duane Dennis that signed up last week is a friend of mine). For training its both a blessing and a curse. I have a lot of time to train, but my schedule is very irregular. Do I have the freedom to move workouts around within a particular week? I had to do that with my previous coach, takes a lot of work and creativity on my part but I can usually get it done.
I have read Jack Daniels Running Formula, and actually plan to use his principles to train for Boston 2018. My VDOT is a reliable 45, verified over 5k and 10k races summer 2015, and 1/2 and full marathons this past August and 3 weeks ago. Can we go with that for now? I'm hesitant to run an all out 5k 3 weeks from my all out effort marathon (then took 2 weeks off from running). And we could use LTHR from my late August 1/2 marathon? Then perhaps we could do a 5k test in a few weeks after re-establishing my running routine.
And lastly (if all this wasn't enough!), I am a struggling swimmer than lives an hour from the nearest pool. Frustrated by my lack of progress the last 2 years (and a really big race looming next summer!) I joined masters swimming last month and made the commitment to learn to swim decently this winter and feel its important to work that in to my out season (although open to your ideas!).
I wanted to lay out my questions in detail. If it is easier or if you feel it more appropriate to use our intro call to answer either works for me!
I'm in week 3 of my trial and really enjoying EN. Still working my way around, but leaning strongly to joining the team at the end of the month.
I forgot to add in a C race 1/2 marathon I'm running on 12/11 next month. Not racing, but pacing a friend and it would mostly be at my TRP pace. I think I can do my regular out season week workouts, but shift around the weekly run miles so the total is the same. Does that sound good to you, or should I use a different approach?
Thanks
Dave
No need for us to modify your TSR to accommodate this race. If it were me, I'd keep everything the same during the week, then do this race on either Saturday or Sunday as your scheduled run. Don't worry about adjusting the mileage goal for the week. You'll obviously get more miles in that week but it's low risk and you'll be fine. Good luck!