Working it all in...

[jen]

to work it all out! ;D

So, now moving up from 3x/week swimming to 4x/week, how do you guys structure workouts to get running and biking in? I could use some suggestions so I get it all in but not overdo it. Sometimes I try to swim, then run/bike/cycling class but at times that can be too much especially if it's a tough swim workout or want to do an intense run, but oftentimes (esp during the week) it's hard to get in two workouts a day.

Any suggestions would be great!!! Thanks!

[Aussie Rob]

Easier stuff in the morning, harder stuff at night. Make sure you drink a recovery drink after all workouts, and are in bed by 10ish (if you're getting up at 5:30 or so). Eat right too, you'll need to for the energy.

Swim/weights in the AM, running/riding in the PM. Give yourself a day off once a week.

[alison]

If you can't fit in two workouts per day don't fret, just make that one workout you can fit in a good one. If you start to feel anxious because you didn't get in your planned workouts for the week just take a deep breath and remind yourself that this is a hobby/pastime. (It took me almost two years after ending my college swimming career to stop having minor anxiety attacks when I took an unexpected rest day). IMO, one good workout is better than two drag-your-feet workouts.

I also agree with Rob. While I could probably count on my fingers the number of times I have done a morning workout in the last year, those workouts would consist mostly of lifting weights or swimming. Sometimes an easy spin would be slipped in there. Unless, of course, you are one of those morning people that perform best in the AM, then switch it. For me, however, the memory of morning swim practice still makes me shudder.

Alison

[robreddy]

hey jen

i know the swim thing probably came from my comments Sunday - so maybe I owe you some suggestions on the above question

First - I think at time in our training we have to have a bit more "focus" on one of the three diciplines - for example swimming during the winter or maybe biking in the spring when we can get outside after a long winter on the trainer. Dureing these 'focus" times the number of work outs in one of the diciplines increases and often times we may be forced to reduce the number of workouts in one of the other areas - just how it goes.

I would suggest starting with a structured plan of when you will be swimming - set those as much in stone as you can - if Monday evening, Wed morning, friday evening and Sunday are your swim days - then those are ALWAYS your swim day. Then try and structure your other workouts around the "must do swims"

I would also say to figure out what days you can double - maybe one weekend day and one week day - particularly those days when you can get an early work out in and then give your body enough time to recover and do the second work out later in the day.

probably the best advice I was ever given was to develop a very set workout schedule - figure out where in your life you are going to devot time to training. This is "dedicated" time, always the same every week - unless it is VERY important nothing interupts your "dedicated" training time. For example I train at lunch - all by vendors and sales people know this - I don;t do "lunch meeting" with them, people on campus know I train at lunch so they mostly do not schedule things with me at that time of the day. Ya on occassion I have to attend a lunch meeting or something gets in that way and I have to miss my work out - but that is the exception. It also keep me honest - I know that lunch is a time I ahve told others is "off limits" so I cant good off and say, well I'll skip my lunch workout today and do it in the evening - not fair as evening may be time with the kids or something.

hoep this helps

r

[Aussie Rob]

What i think it boils down to though is that there just isn't enough hours in the day to do everything sometimes, and if you're really serious about getting it done you have to pull time from somewhere.

For me, that means pulling it from sleep time. I go to bed slightly earlier, and get my arse up at O dark 30 and get in the water.

[MarkD]

So much depends on YOU. But, since you are asking - I'll offer my perspective.

During the late base, build, and peak season (March - mid September), the workouts are a top priority and other activities drop off the list.

During the off-season, its all about other priorities. More family time, personal projects that fell off the list during the season, lettin' loose a bit more on the weekends , etc. Since workouts are a lower priority, as I mentioned in a previous thread, I tend to focus one specific discipline more than the others. Until December 7th, I'm all about running and lifting (biking and swimming are in the back seat). December through February, I'll be all about swimming (maintain a run base and begin increasing the bike focus). March - April is a bike focus for the longer workouts, but I get into a build phase in all three.

What's my point... work on your weakness more (swimming) and don't be afraid to do less in the other two disciplines for the next couple of months.

[jimdehner]

Jen - I agree with Rob to have a time that is for training - for too many years that has been real early in the AM for me - not that my kids have grown and left I have the luxury of also being able to train in the evening but I kno that is not the case for mos people. I wanted to comment on something else you sadi - that is about intensity - I break the week into 3 - 2 day groups - Saturday and Sunday are for logn work - Monday and Tuesday - recovery and Wednesday and Thursday are for intensity - Friday is a rest day - I try to keep that plan throughout the macro-cycle but vary the total volume