Out of Shape Newbie Question
I'll try to be short. . .I have four years of triathlon under my belt with several HIMs, Olympics, Sprint, etc., but no IMs. This past season my last race was in June and from that race until I now have been a complete slacker. I run infrequently, I ride twice a week and don't swim (which sounds like a good thing here! ;-) ).
I have also gotten FAT!! I have gained 30lbs from my racing weight -- way too much Carl's Jr!
So what I want to know is. . .the idea of fast first (when I am out of shape to begin with) seems like I am asking for trouble. Should I try to get back in reasonable shape before joining EN? Or would the Fast First - Then Far system still work for a fat man?!
Please help! Seriously.
BTW - I am racing my first IM - IMAZ 2011; so that is my reason for looking into EN.
Merry Christmas!
Comments
I think the Fast First - Then Far will still work for you. But it is recommended that you start the Out Season Training with 6-8 weeks of baseline training. You can find thoughts and training plans for this in the Pre-OS training area.
Since you are racing IMAZ, you have plenty of time to get yourself back in race shape - and EN is a great way to do it. What you also find with EN is that there is a whole group of EN athletes already signed up for IMAZ - in fact they have a challenge already in the works between the seasoned (older) racers and the young bucks...so lots of good banter already started. What this means to you is a whole group of people that will be there to help you in your training and on race weekend. What's great about EN is the support and experience from the coaches and other members - just so much more than a training plan!
Hope it all works out for you.
In thinking about your question, what are your thoughts on how you would get back into reasonable shape before joining EN? What would you do?
Anyway, since the EN philosophy is driven off each athlete's specific fitness level, it does not really matter if one begins fat, short, tall, skinny, round, square, etc. Your starting fitness is what it is. The OS due to its low volume requirements should be very manageable regardless of starting fitness level. Just do the OS work, based on your circumstances, and you will achieve both greater fitness (eg. faster) and likely drop weight along the way as along as you maintain a sensible approach to nutrition.
Thanks for the feedback so far! I really do like the community aspect here.
I feel better hearing those comments; and just for fun I went and ran 5 miles tonight and did some faster intervals during the run just to see how it felt to do something fast again - well let's say fast for me. After a 10min warm-up, I did 4 x 3min descending intervals starting at 7:30/mile and dropping :30 each interval. The last interval at 6:00/mile for 3min hurt but it was a good hurt and I could see a glimmer of speed coming back. The rest of the run was my LSD pace.
This was after a Christmas Eve ride up Mt Baldy yesterday, so I guess I feel pretty good. (The Tour of California is gonna climb part of this route in 2011)
I believe I will give the fast/far idea a chance.
BTW - I cant seem to find the IMAZ 2011 - Young vs. Old thread. I am definitely in for some friendly competition. Go young ones - at least for another year or so. Any help finding it???
http://endurancenation.us.dnnmax.co...aspx#61027Hi Greg!
You'll be fine. Just don't try and go out and get it back all at once. No need to get injured and get waylaid now. Plenty of challenge coming your way soon enough!
1. Cut down on soda
2. Drink more water
3. DO the plan....it's only 6-7 hr/wk....not intimidating
4. NO negoitiation....just look at the plan, gitter done,
BTW...the fact that you "out of shape" it should be a blast watch your fitness come back each week