I’m in week whatever of training because I have no schedule. I need to sign up for one of these Ironmans, and then develop a full schedule. Right now, my training is geared towards the SF Marathon, which is on July 26th, so I’m not putting enough focus on cycling, swimming, or multi sport training. At this point, I think I’m going to do the St. George Ironman in Utah next May. I’ll figure it out this weekend. I can then develop a full weekly schedule, and I figure serious training will begin about 35-40 weeks from the start of the race.
Last week, I built up my running to 34 miles in the week and added 55 of biking. I was pretty stoked with the workout, particularly the long run on Saturday. I pulled off 16 miles ascending well over 1000 feet in 810 minute miles. I was just happy that my body recovered quickly. I wasn’t really that sore at the grad party I went to on Saturday or graduation the next day. This week, my goal is to get up to about 37-38 miles running. I was only able to cycle once this week because of graduation, and I got in 35 miles today.
Over the next three weeks, I’d like to maintain at least 35 miles of running a week, and if possible, break 20 miles on a weekend long run. In training for my first marathon last year, I never got past 19, and I could really feel it in the race. I think by getting past 20 and adding significant cross training with the bike should help avoid the wall that most marathoners hit at about mile 22. HOPE is the key word there as it seems impossible to avoid that wall!
So today I realized the benefit of drafting. I was riding behind these two guys on the way home from work, and I just flew by them (it was into the wind). Next thign I know, both guys are riding my ass but never passed me. I realized then I was the wind block and they were benefiting. So after dropping off my bag, I cycled to the beach, and on the way home, got behind this couple that was going about 22-25 mph. They were flying. Part of this stretch was into the wind. I got behind them, and I was amazed how much easier it was to ride. But what’s the etiquette? I mean at some point, I’m assuming you have to switch, right?
Ok, that’s it for this week’s training recap. We’ll see what happens this weekend.
#1 by Starla on June 18, 2009 - 8:00 am
Drafting=1/3 less energy expended. It’s great when you’re going on a slight downhill and you’re drafting off someone that’s 6′4″ and not stick thin (I stopped pedaling at this point)! If you do a group ride, it’s called pace lining where you switch up the front man.