Miscellaneous Triathlon Training Tales

Women Who Tri

The Women Who Tri (WWT)group started up again.  I always get a mental boost from this group every year.  After a long winter of solo training it is so nice to meet up with friends on a regular basis to swim, bike and run.  If any Bozeman area friends are interested in learning about triathlon and training for a triathlon this group is for all skill levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced).  We would love to have you join us!


Workout Summary

Swimming 

I talked about my swimming in my last blog Swimming Getting Better.  I am feeling really confident with my swimming and continue to learn and improve!

Biking

The weather is getting nicer and I have been able to get outside a few times in the past 2 weeks.  Two weeks ago I did my longest outside bike ride of the year – 57 miles.  Then this past weekend my coach (Matt) told me to ride the same course and “try to beat your time by 5 minutes”.  When I saw this I wondered how I was going to do that.  In my mind, I thought I went hard the first time I did the course, and now he wants me to try and go faster by 5 minutes??? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?? :)  Well, of course, I always doubt myself and I really should learn that I can always do more than I think...  

I bettered my time by 9 MINUTES!  Not 5 minutes – 9 MINUTES!! :)

I had four points along the way where I did time checks to see how I was doing compared to the previous week.  So, as I progressed through the ride, I knew that I was going to beat the 5 minute goal.  It was a great motivator.  At one point late in the ride, I was in a headwind on an uphill grade and I forgot what I was supposed to be doing (I was daydreaming) and I happened to look at my speed and was going WAY TO SLOW… I kicked it back in gear and once I did that, the headwind and uphill grade didn’t seem to be that noticeable. 

I was so excited at the end of this ride – I couldn’t stop smiling.  Matt is an awesome coach.  He challenges me and pushes me beyond what I think is possible for myself.  I always learn so much from him.

Running

I have kind of been keeping a secret from all of you.  Not really a secret, just haven’t wanted to write about this because I don’t want to sound like I am complaining or sound like I am unappreciative of what my body is doing for me. 

Anyway – I have been battling a hip flexor injury since last October.  I have taken time off running, I have had PT, I have had massage, I have tried dry needling (look it up if you want to know more).  So I have not been able to run as much or as hard as I would like.  I saw my favorite PT a few weeks ago and he said “there is hope”.  That was the best thing I heard in a long time.  He prescribed some focused massage therapy and very specific stretching/strengthening exercises which I do 3x/day.  The massage and stretches have had a very significant impact.  The hip flexor is finally feeling better (not 100%) but, it is getting there.  I even told Matt today that I think I am ready to do more running – frequency, distance and hills!  YAY!  I am really encouraged and hope that as I pick up the running the hip flexor will not have a setback.  Fingers crossed.

 

Last Week Workout Summary  

Swim – 11,000 meters (6.84 miles) 
Bike – 109.2 miles 
Run – 13.7 miles 
Walk/Hike – 12.8 miles 

Total Miles = 142.5 miles 
Total Hours =15:36:27 
Total Workouts = 18