Tag Archive: Training


Back In Town – Training Started Up And Progressing Well

Filed Under: Training
Jan.04, 2011

I am basically back into it now. I got through 5 training sessions last week and have started strong this week, I’ve done 3 sessions already and its only lunch Tuesday :)

Yesterday morning I went down to Mermaid Beach and had a surf with some of the guys. I was out in really nice and clean 2′ conditions for about 90 minutes. I tell you, it is amazing how much you can pick up in a session like that. I kid you not, if I had have had a dozen such surf sessions in the last 3 months leading into the Gold last year – my event may have had a different result. Very positive and encouraging. I can’t wait to get back out there.

This morning I had my first ski session back after about 6 weeks off. In challenging 4′ conditions too – not the best day to start back. Anyway, I got out ok, thanks to a big lull and spent a bit of time out the back. Coming back though, I missed the wave I was hoping for, then found myself in the impact zone – BOOM!! I was smashed – so had a nice swim session in there too. Other than that, we had some great white water practise – all important surf experience.

And I just went for a 6km run. Over the last 4 weeks or so I have been getting my legs used to the Newton runners. I think they are pretty good now. I ran the 6kms with no twinges or soreness at all. Cardio wise, I am still a bit under par. I clocked 29 mins 56, my average heart rate though was 176 and max was 185. This is high for what really is a flat and easy route. Compared to this time last year though – I am a much fitter man. This is an excellent base for an assault on my 2011 events - it is going to be my year of revenge!!

Tags: , , ,
read more

Concerns – And Training Is About To Step Up a Notch

Filed Under: Training
Jul.22, 2010

Its been a pretty tough month. After tapering the week prior to the half marathon, getting sick the night before the half marathon and the ensuing disaster and disappointment, its taken me 3 weeks to recover. I am still not 100%. I’ve had this mild scratchy throat and just been really short of breath. I still feel a little croupy, with flem in my lungs and a dry, irritated cough. I am waking up with a headache and a slight nauseous feeling. While its all unpleasant, it is only slight. It did stop me training for 2 weeks, other than light playing and technique work.

Keeping in mind that I have 3 weeks away holiday in August, I calculate now that I have 12 weeks of serious training left till the event this year. I’d be lying if I was not concerned at this stage of my preparation. I am not nearly prepared and currently I am not training due to illness. I went to the doctors who was not sure what was going on. He tested me for asthma, heart murmurs and then just prescribed me on a short course of antibiotics. Following that, I have been taking those Inner Health Plus pro-biotics and just been trying to keep my trunk warm. This seems to have worked – I am finally seeing improvement.

My concerns with my preparations led me to sit with Stu recently  to work out what I need to do to step it up from here. Basically we have planned a massive weekly training schedule. It includes the following:

  • Monday – swim lunch time and ski evening
  • Tuesday – ski evening
  • Wednesday – swim lunch time and run followed by weights in the evening
  • Thursday – ski morning and ski evening
  • Friday – swim lunchtime
  • Saturday – massive ski/board/swim and run session morning
  • Sunday – run followed by weights in the morning

I get over 24 hours rest/recovery between Sunday’s session and Monday’s swim. I need to do this for the 3 weeks leading up to Africa.

Tags: , , ,
read more

A Training Session With Two Disciplines

Filed Under: Reflections
Mar.31, 2010

Today I wanted to combine ski paddling with some swim training. I wasn’t really out to flog myself, I did that yesterday doing hill runs. I just wanted to do low intensive training for over an hour, but do more than one discipline. This obviously will become more important later on in the ironman events, where I will need to transition from swim racing, to ski racing, to board racing and running. Today I was not racing though, just starting to increase my distance training keeping the low heart rate.

I basically paddled my ski for 50 minutes then jumped in the pool for about 25, just doing Total Immersion Swimming drills. It was all kicking, all relaxed and hopefully all going towards a more efficient swimming style.

Some reflections from today.

  • My initial plan was to paddle up to the caravan park, do my swimming there, paddle to the bridge on the other side and then home. Unfortunately the council were working on the nets at the caravan park so there was nowhere to swim. I was a little miffed at the time, before deciding what to do. (I.e. swim in the pool here on my return) In these ocean events though, nothing ever goes to plan. The conditions are so variable, waves, rips, currents, you need to think on your feet. So when training does not go 100% to plan, I need to improvise without being miffed. Its a good discipline to foster.
  • I saw the potential of where I live, insofar as training grounds are concerned. Paddle/ski up the creek, either way. Swim laps at the caravan park. Run too and from the drop off points. All I need is a trainer to help with my equipment… thats where Rob from Gold Coast Personal Training will come in handy!
Tags: , ,
read more

Relaxation and Training

Filed Under: Training
Feb.26, 2010

When I was swimming this morning, my coach pulled me up after the swim to chat informal like, about my progress. One point he made was that I need to learn to relax more in the water. I’m trying so hard that I’m tensing up, which is impacting my performance.

Wise words, I know he is right. I also know the same wisdom can be applied to my running efforts and my surf ski efforts. I particularly tense up my shoulders with these disciplines, restricting free movement.

It is hard though, when trying to remember everything and do your best, to apply relaxation at the same time!

Tags: , , , ,
read more

Heart Rate Monitoring

Filed Under: Training
Feb.25, 2010

I just got one of those heart rate monitors today. I thought it would be a good idea to do some heart rate specific training as I go along.

I used it today on my 45 minute run, when I finished though, nothing was recorded, I pushed the wrong buttons (sounds like my love life sometimes huh :) ) So I’ll read the instruction manual this afternoon and try again ha ha.

Tags: , , ,
read more

Training and Diet

Filed Under: Training
Feb.22, 2010

Today I learned an important lesson about diet. I started the day with a 40 minute run then had 4 wheetbix for breakfast. So far so good, but that’s when things started going bad. Following on from this healthy start to the day I had:

  • 2 coffees
  • a chocolate and macadamia nut slice
  • 2 meat pies for lunch

I had swim squad at 5pm after work and I felt could not get a full lung of air. Without being able to breath, it was very hard to keep up in the water. My training session basically was shot due to the poor intake of food during the day. So the lesson is that if I am going to train twice a day, I need to fuel up properly with healthy food during the day.

Tags: , , , ,
read more
Powered by WordPress and Motion by 85ideas.