what to do about training?
Ok, I do not usually post as I am way to inexperienced to have much useful info to provide. And by reading, I usually get my dumb questions answered before I ask. But...this time I am looking for some insight to keep me motivated and not too depressed. I have been unable to find the time to do the HIM plan as set up due to time constraints, and looking forward it does not seem to me that it is going to get much better anytime soon. I run 2 businesses and have 2 kids to deal with, not to mention the other everyday life issues that get in the way. I just do not have 12-14 hours a week to do the plan as set out, and am stressing over that a bit. What to do? any thoughts would be truly appreciated. I can pretty much manage up to 9-10 hours a week, but more that is really tough given all of my other obligations and the fact that I would like to have more than4 hours a night of sleep. I am shooting for a sub 5 hour HIM in July and given the OS training and the fact that I was very close last year anyway, do I really need to worry about those last few hours a week of training to meet my goal? Thanks for any insight/wisdom that anyone has.
Comments
I had somewhat of the same reaction when I took a peek at the HIM plan. My stretch goal is sub-5:00 and I have never done an HIM before. The OS has been fine for me at about 5-6ish hours per week, but those 12-14 hour weeks in the HIM plan look daunting. I work a ton and travel for work. And I have a family. My approach will be to do what I can. I'm planning to try to get in the long bike and the long run as Mike said. And I'll try to do whatever I can to get the workouts done. But at the end of the day I'm guessing I'll look back and be <10hrs / week when it's all said and done. Last year was my first year doing triathlon and I averaged just over 4hrs/week in May-August and did the Chicago Oly in just over 2:25. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to have a good HIM racing experience on ~10hrs/wk of training or less, and if the conditions are perfect I'll bet I've even got a good shot at sub-5:00. Maybe I'm not giving myself the best shot possible if I don't put in all the time, but it is what it is.</p>
And then: focused interval training for both the bike and run, swim technique drills (not a gazillion aimless yards). A trainer and a treadmill aren't sexy but they provide quite focused and efficient venues for training. And then a weekend day/morning outdoors for long ride and brick.
Best of luck. It is so damn hard to juggle it all but if you can reframe the time set aside from a "have to" to an escape from the unrelenting blackberriness of the world, it helps a lot.
so - how is your swim? This is probably the biggest total time drain vs time improvement come race day unless you have an endless pool in your basement.
Unless you need major form work, maybe invest in a really good wetsuit and hold off on swim training until the last block.
Coach Rich recommend this to me and it's made all the difference since I can continue to sleep in to 6:30 on Mondays and Fridays
vs getting up at 4:30 AM to get to the pool at 5. (not sure if he's going to chime in on this;-)
If you're able to follow the OS plan, chances are pretty good that you're in awesome shape after around 6-8 hrs week training until now
so if you can manage up to 9-10 hrs, I'd guess that you'd be able to put in some needed longer bits in there on the bike and run.
Just my personal take as I do find that not getting enough sleep really catches up with me after 2-3 days, and ends up being a BIG disaster if I don't catchup.
so the OS type schedule is one that allows me to catch-up on that all important sleep regularly before I get too depleted.
Oh - and super charged coffee works wonders on those mornings where you gotta get it done super early before work/ kids up, etc...
With all due respect, this is Michael's thread and his questions. You should start your own thread for your questions. Thanks!
And, while i appreciate the comment Rich, I do not care really if people want to jump on my thread. I read everything everywhere anyway and I suspect many others do too. Of course, if there is a protocol than I stand by that.