Post by watchman on May 11, 2010 20:30:49 GMT -5
I am still a newbie in many ways. This is only my third full year. I have done 3 sprints, 1 Olympic this year will be a HIM. Here are some things that I have learned.
Be patient it takes time to progress to the levels of some of the others in this club who have years of experience.
Have realistic goals or you will be discouraged.
1st goal just do it and finish
2nd goal improve on your time
3rd goal continue to improve and move up distance
When I started a 1 mile run was typical. 3 miles was long. Now 3 miles is not even a warm -up and now I can do 10 - 12 easy and 15 for a long run. Bike I thought 12 miles twice a week was enough. Now 30 to 40 miles 3 times a week is the minimum. Swimming I thought 1/4 mile was good and 1/2 mile was long. Now a lazy day is a mile of intervals and now my long swims are 2.5 miles once a week. This did not happen overnight. Each year I have built then added to previous year.
Learn, read and study the "how to's" of each of the 3 swim, bike, run.
You do not want to waste time training "wrong".
Don't be shy
Ask questions on this forum. There is an invaluable wealth of info here. Most really want to help. Ask a question and you will get many responses.
Some things I learned the hard way;
Swim;
Important but the fastest swimmers do not win. ( I spent way to much time on swim the first year) Also ; .
Swimming
mostly about technique so Take Rob Reddy class or
Masters or watch videos. Do drills. Swim with groups.
Bike;
Get fit on bike. This is vital. I wasted 3 years trying to ride a great bike but not fit properly.
Log the miles, spend hours in seat, do hard workouts with groups. No substitute for time consuming hard
work.
Spin the hills. *** Get fit on bike **** Go to Spin bikes ask for Greg for fit.
Run;
Log miles.
Do speed intervals
Sign up for run races 5k's 10 k's half marathons.
Run with groups
Rest ;
This is huge .
1 day per week off, 1 week per month easy, 1 month per year off.
Groups ; Did I mention swim, ride, run with groups? You will be pushed and motivated far more with others than
alone
Race experience ;
The more races you do the better. helps with nervousness, race day preparation ect. Do run only races. This gives experience.
Listen to your body and apply what works for you. Not everything everyone says will work for you. Experiment and learn what works.
Have fun. I was way to serious the first year.
I hope this helps.
If any of the experts have something to add feel free to post.
Mike
Be patient it takes time to progress to the levels of some of the others in this club who have years of experience.
Have realistic goals or you will be discouraged.
1st goal just do it and finish
2nd goal improve on your time
3rd goal continue to improve and move up distance
When I started a 1 mile run was typical. 3 miles was long. Now 3 miles is not even a warm -up and now I can do 10 - 12 easy and 15 for a long run. Bike I thought 12 miles twice a week was enough. Now 30 to 40 miles 3 times a week is the minimum. Swimming I thought 1/4 mile was good and 1/2 mile was long. Now a lazy day is a mile of intervals and now my long swims are 2.5 miles once a week. This did not happen overnight. Each year I have built then added to previous year.
Learn, read and study the "how to's" of each of the 3 swim, bike, run.
You do not want to waste time training "wrong".
Don't be shy
Ask questions on this forum. There is an invaluable wealth of info here. Most really want to help. Ask a question and you will get many responses.
Some things I learned the hard way;
Swim;
Important but the fastest swimmers do not win. ( I spent way to much time on swim the first year) Also ; .
Swimming
mostly about technique so Take Rob Reddy class or
Masters or watch videos. Do drills. Swim with groups.
Bike;
Get fit on bike. This is vital. I wasted 3 years trying to ride a great bike but not fit properly.
Log the miles, spend hours in seat, do hard workouts with groups. No substitute for time consuming hard
work.
Spin the hills. *** Get fit on bike **** Go to Spin bikes ask for Greg for fit.
Run;
Log miles.
Do speed intervals
Sign up for run races 5k's 10 k's half marathons.
Run with groups
Rest ;
This is huge .
1 day per week off, 1 week per month easy, 1 month per year off.
Groups ; Did I mention swim, ride, run with groups? You will be pushed and motivated far more with others than
alone
Race experience ;
The more races you do the better. helps with nervousness, race day preparation ect. Do run only races. This gives experience.
Listen to your body and apply what works for you. Not everything everyone says will work for you. Experiment and learn what works.
Have fun. I was way to serious the first year.
I hope this helps.
If any of the experts have something to add feel free to post.
Mike