It's not how you start....
I went into the OS with a goal of "executing it to the letter". I should have just said, "read my lips, no new taxes". 
Overall, I was very consistent and have seen nice gains. I intentionally skipped a few sessions, but no major stand downs or setbacks. Essentially, it was a boatload of work that I otherwise would not have done and feel way ahead of the game at this point. What I would have done differently is really not much. One of the greatest benefits from the OS is recognizing the SELF part of self coached. Learning when to say when and then saying when is a big part of the process.
The last week or so I've gone off the reservation; great weather kicked in and I've ridden outside,skied, swimmed, ran without purpose, and goofed around. Mostly, the good little voice spoke up and said lighten up, take some time before the volume work starts or you'll be mentally fried. I didn't really feel overworked, but now that I've stepped away a little I see that it's been beneficial. I'm not coming in on the rims. I'm feeling pretty good, have dropped some weight, and can feel the work has worked.
What say y'all?
Comments
P
I'm with you, Chris. This OS I climbed another rung of the ladder in learning how to be self-coached within the EN framework. I get it, really get it now. So while I bailed out at week 15 to transition then start up the HIM training, I think the refinement of the self-coached concept in my mind was HUGE for me. Maybe, in the long run as, if not more, valuable than a huge bump in FTP!
I'm going to pick OS where I left it for the sake of my FTP and Vdot.
Big kudos to those who did the 20 weeks of OS straight...and to some who did Power Hack in the middle there!
This OS is my second and has been quite a learning experience.
Unfortunately, I got dinged up on the run portion in late Jan. Up until then, I was doing some of the best running of my life. Consistent, hard work. Now, I have had to take a few steps back and am just getting back to running 3 times/week w/ a max of 45'. I'm a little concerned about ramping my mileage up for IMLP, but I'll just take it as it comes.
I've been happy with my bike gains. But I'm also quite please that I went through a week of being burned out in December. I was able to recognize it for what it was, stand down, then come back. To keep me honest, I scheduled a couple of indoor TTs as something to shoot for throughout the OS. Getting to ride outside in Feb was an added bonus, but it made it that much harder to get back on the trainer.
I've been able to shed about 10lbs since the start of the OS. I need to keep this going, but sometimes, I just fall off the wagon.
I've done some core stuff, not nearly as much as I should. Same with stretching, but I'm doing a lot of that now w/ my running injury.
Lastly, but most importantly, this group has been a tremendous motivator. There were plenty of times I didn't feel like working out, but I read everyone's posts from earlier workouts and I was motiviated to get it done. For me, it wasn't about how fast or how strong you were, but the consistent effort everyone put forth and all the progress that each individual made. That is what made being part of this group so beneficial.
Dave
I agree. The only person [I am aware of] who actually did all of the OS workouts was Mancona last year, and we all know how poorly that worked out for him
. I did more of the bike stuff this year than last as well as more of the speed portions of the running. After taking pretty much all of last week off for my ski trip I feel like I am ready to start thinking about actually training for some races. Sure makes it easier when I can ride my bike outside.
I am running better than I ever have before and within spitting distance of being as strong as I ever have been on the bike. I am likely as strong as I have ever been but have not been on one enough lately to draw that conclusion. Regardless that will change quick.
Take away is that who cares that I did not do all the suffering, I did more than most anyone else in the world and am in a good place to start the season. Pretty sure that was the point???
Last OS, I pushed really hard for 16 weeks of OS, and saw big gains on the bike and ok gains on the run. But they were very steady and consistant. I was pretty burnt out by week 15, but I pushed through as I only had another 2 weeks to go. Took a 1.5 week vacation after that, then came back to do 4 more weeks of OS and saw a few more small gains. It was mentally easy to handle because every test I saw the benefit of my work.
This OS was different. First off because I started burnt out and then did a marathon and 70.3 within the first 3 weeks ... opps. The next month was pretty challenging and then right when things started to come back together I screwed up my foot ... swimming. Maybe I should have listened to the don't swim in the OS thing.
In hindsight the foot injury may have been the best thing that ever happened to me. I was drugged and ordered to over a week of zero activity, probably the first time in 6 years I haven't done anything for a week. The next 4 weeks after that I could only ride, zero running or swimming.
The 4 weeks of just riding and then doing the power clinic gave me some nice gains on the bike and I'm already over my peak FTP ever. Since the PC, my bike mojo has been missing, but I'm coming back strong on the run. I have confidence that once I recover from the OS I will be in a good place to start the season.
The biggest challenge for me this year as been that I have put in the consistant hard work, but the gains have not been as big and have not been steady, which makes it very hard from a motivation standpoint. I'm sure this is common amoung 2nd and 3rd year members and I bet it will only get worse next year.
I'm ready for a break but I'm going to try and make it four more weeks to complete the OS first, then take 2 weeks of transistion time to absorb everything before starting another plan.