Here is a good pic of me from Saturday's Tri:
Pointy Helmet Needed!
Future Training Plans:
Okay, I began my little Triathlon journey one year ago this month (29:01 5K, really?). I guess it is my TriTraining-versary?!?
Anyway, I have been going pretty hard for a year without any breaks and lately I have been having trouble giving it my all during my workouts. Physically I am fine, the problem has been that I am not in it mentally. The thinking is that I might be a little burned out and could use a less structured schedule to give me a little time to relax. My focus has been far less than what I expect and my brain is just fatigued!
Sooooo ..... after my race next Saturday I am going to take it easy for a little while. Training will commence except without a Planned Training Schedule. I am going to run when I feel like it, bike when the wind isn't blowing, and probably not swim at all! If I wake up at 5am and am not feeling it that morning then I will roll over and go back to bed for an hour. I have been missing weight training so over this time I am going to hit the dumbbells again and get the upper body back. Will also do some P90X and Insanity too! Sounds pretty good, eh?
But, do not fret fellow Triathlon -aholics. This is by no means permanent. In fact this is quite short-lived! The main reason that a rest is going to be taken is that starting June 21st I will begin a 20-Week HIM training program for the IronStar 70.3 on November 7th:
I want to hit this 20-week HIM training as hard as I can and need to be mentally ready to dedicate myself 100% to killing it. A little rest will allow for me to do this!
I am also considering enhancing my bike training so that my results can be more measurable and pointed. Not sure how this is going to happen but should have an update in a few days.
So to recap, after April 24th I am going to scale back my s/b/r and relax for a few weeks and then begin a new 20 Week HIM Training Program. Pretty simple.
Thanks for Reading,
Jeff
Wow, you're going to to take a break by doing INSANITY and P90X! Dude, I bow to you.
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs a break and based on your blog you have earned one...I aggree with boomer INSANITY during your "break" :). I am stuck on WEek 4 day 1 as I failed to get 32 in the last set :( Could not try again till today hopefully...
ReplyDeleteJeff takes a break by doing P90X and Insanity. There's a Chuck Norris-type joke in there somewhere, I just can't put my finger on it.
ReplyDeleteWhat Whitarican said...you've been going at it quite hard and the body and mind need time to recover. At least you have goals and objectives ahead of you to keep you on track.
That bike pic is awesome! Look at those shoulders and the hams hanging from them!
Remember to do some hill training on the bike for IronStar. Tidbit: I did the inaugural event 100 years ago....
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the break, you need it. You'll be motivated again come June. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteRecovery, recovery, recovery!!! I know you dont like recovery week, but we all need it, build the system back up. I was at a tri clinic and the speaker said "Its not the workout that makes someone bigger, faster, stronger. The workout actually makes someone weaker. Its the proper recovery that makes someone bigger, faster, stronger" I am a beleiver in it.
ReplyDeleteSo smart to recognize when you need a break and then take it. I am doing the same this week...body and mind were tired, so it's an easy week for me. I'll come back more refreshed to hit it hard next week. Good luck with the whole thing!
ReplyDeleteTime out from training does not mean you can't go out and just enjoy. Having a clear head makes a huge difference and when training becomes a chore, it just isn't any fun.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo from Staurday's Tri...good stuff.
I'm coming off of a break and getting ready for a 70.3 in September....good luck with your break and subsequent training, I'll be checking in, for inspriation!
Well, the guy that finishes in front of you next race did not take any time off!;) (joking)
ReplyDeleteI give you 2 weeks tops before you are back out there training! LOL
I am all for recovery days, somedays I just decide that I do not feel like a 5:30 AM run, I feel like I need sleep, so that's what I do. I have learned to listen to my body and rest when I need rest. We are lucky that this is our hobby, and we can take time off when needed.
Congrats on the 61, you will definately hit 100!
Great plan, keep up the strength training and cardio and do the P90X to recover ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat results by your 1 year mark Jeff, you should be proud of what you have accomplished but the mind needs a break every now and then. My taper for the marathon is just what the doctor ordered to mentally prepare me for the race. I was burnt out as well and I am more ready now than I was at the peak of my training last month!
Keep it up!
You will be amazed at how much stronger and faster you will bounce back with some rest. You have a looooong time till your HIM.
ReplyDeletenever underestimate rest! your mind might be telling you that you are physically not tired, but if you are choosing to do P90X and Insanity as a way to rest you may find yourself tired starting your training! taking a 'break' is not a criminal offence, expecially when you are about to embark on a merciless 20 week program. Take some time and tune down a bit, otherwise you risk mental and physcial burnout. Hit your 'formal ' training with a fresh mind and a fresh body that has had a chance to absorb a years worth of awesome training!
ReplyDeleteJeff, take it one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteLet your body and mind guide you. I'm a huge believer in training instinctively. I go with my gut. On days that i'm just not feeling it, weights and abs. Nothing too involved mentally or physically. It always does wonders for me. Go with your gut! You know yourself better than anyone else. Since nothing is written in stone, you can tweak things here and there and no worries.
Sounds like a great plan, sometimes you definitely need to take a break, and a break Jeff style doesn't sound like much of a break! Ha, but at least a break from SBR. You will come back to it refreshed and ready to attack HIM.
ReplyDeleteJeff needs a little rest and relaxation:) You deserve it, you have been working so hard!
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like a mental break is going to be great for you...because you are going to be hitting harder than ever! All through college, we would go hard for the season and then take 2 weeks of NOTHING..unless we felt moved to....out of just pure enjoyment! Then we jumped right back on...hard core! I never got burned out...because they kept us fresh! So I say...Great Idea...you'll be better than ever!! That's pretty darn good!
ReplyDeleteNice plans entering the Half Iron! I like it...I'll be interested to follow your training. I am currently training for my first Triathlon this summer.
ReplyDelete-D
Sounds like a solid plan! I just realized we live in the same town and have the same name...kinda blew my mind lol. I have debating training for a HIM but actually doing one depends on training. You up for a training partner?
ReplyDeleteDo the rest and you will be good, sometimes you just can't commit to certain things mentally and its tough, for instance marathon training/pushup challenge has been tough to combine, esp. when I work in a gym all hours of the day anyway. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think it's smart that you're taking a break before starting your HIM training. That's kindof what I've been doing b/c my training starts next week. Last year I was basically training for tris from March-September and believe me, I got very burnt out!
ReplyDeleteTake the time, get the motivation back, and start your training on a good note!
Congratulations on your TriTraining-versary! From everything that you have accomplished it seems like you are an old hand at this! Keep up the good work and take your much needed rest, you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to take a little breather every now and then!
ReplyDeleteI left you a little something on my blog...enjoy!
Stumbled across your blog today! While I'm not training for a HIM (yet)... I am doing a hybrid of P90X and Insanity! I've aligned my schedule to ensure a full rest day every week, I'm bored on those days, but need them :) Take care!
ReplyDeleteHey Jeff,
ReplyDeleteTremendous news on IMCOZ...My wife and I have vacationed there and sped around the island in a jeep. I bet it's a great course. Let's keep in touch in 70.3 Austin...