Blase about Training - need help a.s.a.p

Triathlon Forum
1

For some reason I am blase towards training right now. I can’t figure out what the heck is going on - can anyone help.

I had a great base period this winter. Spent a lot of time in the pool, on the trail and on the trainer. I got my swim splits down to low 21:00/mile, my 5k pace dropped from 8:50/mi to 7:41/mi and my bike speed increased to avg. 20+mph for my 10 mile time trial. Things were coming together great.

I rested a week or so before my first pre-season race and then dropped nearly 10-12 minutes off my time from last year. I was feeling great.

I took a week of easy training to recover from the race and just relax before moving from Base to some Muscle Endurance/Speed work.

Then I started a week of rebuilding to my Base workouts and was going to start the Muscle Endurance this week, but I have felt zero energy to workout.

I worked out a few times last week and lifted (nothing major) and then did an 80min trail run on Sunday morning. But since last week I have not had the energy or “fire” to get out there like I was during my base period.

Any suggestions? I may need to recalibrate my training schedule to switch it up and get myself out of my groove. Currently - I’m training for two nearly Oly distance races (7/20 and 9/7) and a 1/2 Ironman on 9/21. After that I’m shooting to run the Portland Marathon on 10/5 for fun.

Please help…

2

Maybe it’s something in the water here in Wa. I’ve felt the same way the past week. Maybe just take a few days off completely until you’re fired up again.

3

First off congrats on your overall improvement. Random thoughts: How deep into the well did you go to knock off 10 mins from your first race? The older you get, don’t know your age, the longer the recovery from a PR effort, that’s the story I’ve been telling myself :). Was this the first off season that wasn’t an off season? Upside is all that fitness you gained, down-side may be the need for a little re-creation.

What do you know? Your stronger, faster, and you proved it in the race. Don’t panic. You may need to chill awhile, reduce the volume, retain the intensity, until the zoom-zoom comes back. Recovery gives the body time to absorb the fitness gains, chill!

4

A week of playing hoops, tennis or golf usually gets me back on track.

Also, a disciplined effort to keep runs and rides slow for a week or two can also help. You get itchin’ to go pretty quick that way too.

Final tip – read a bunch of running or cycling or triathlon books. Lance’s book is good; the Training Bible gets me fired up, too. Tour de France videos are the best motivator in the “media” category.

5

seems like a definite case of time for a week off.

take 7 - 10 days off and you will come back with enthusiasm and energy.

6

Try reading this and see if it fits, from what you wrote it might make sense:

Closed for remodeling http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/coachcorn/closed.html

Don B
.

7

Personally, I start to burn out when I have too much intensity in my training program. I have found that I have to be very careful to control how many workouts I spend above Zone 2. In short, It feels good to train fast when I am doing it, but the day after a fast workout it is always tough for me to get going.

I was in your shoes about a month ago and I spent two weeks with a HR training cap of 155. (155 is the top end of my Zone 2.) That did the trick for me.

8

It sounds like you do all your traininig alone. I would get tired of forcing myself out the door for another workout after 3-4 months of solitary training. Then I started to hook up with some bikers and started bike racing, hooked of with some sub 2:30 marathoners who live in the hood. I was out the door more than before and looking forward to having the s**t whipped out of me running and cycling. I was less inclined to miss a workout and had more motivation. My running seemed to be a bit faster after the first month since they trained about 10sec mile faster than I did.

9

I’ll get down to some of basics.

I’m 25yrs old, about 6’, weight about ~185 with a goal weight of 168 or so (coming down from 293).
I am a former collegiate swimmer, so I never really had a true off-season unless injured.

Swimming
I have been putting in about 10-12,000yds in the pool a week (the swimmer in me loves it).

Cycling
I’ve been getting ~ 100 miles on the bike (mainly on the trainer since the weather has been poor this winter). This will increase once I get my new bike (looking at Cervelo Soloist Team, Giant TCR Composite, …)

Running
Ran the Seattle Marathon in December - then backed off due to stress fracture in foot until February or so and started building back to a long run of 2hrs/14 miles or so.

Here is the “schedule” if that helps

Mon:
AM - Swim: 3,000yds
PM - Bike: 20-22mi, Run: ez 1-2 mi off the bike, leg weights

Tues:
AM - Rest
PM - Run: Track Workout (5-8 miles total incl long warmup and cooldown); Bike: 10-12mi

Wed:
AM - Swim: 3,000yds
PM - Run: 6 mile, med tempo; leg weights; Bike: 10-12mi

Thurs:
AM - Rest
PM - Run: 5-6 miles (fairly fast pace); Bike: 10-12mi

Fri:
AM - Swim: 3,000yds
PM - Bike: 20-25mi; leg weights;

Sat:
AM - Run: ~14mi - neg split, followed by a nap and big breakfast
PM - Run: EZ 2-3 miles around Greenlake

Sun:
AM - Bike: 30-50mi; Swim: 1,000yds
PM - Rest

I’m going to be changing this up to include commuting to work - once I get the new bike, so that will add nearly 25+ miles per day (roundtrip) and I’ll be joining a cycling team this winter.

I also just found out that I have a true blue “COLD.” I woke up this morning completely stuffed up and with a sinus headache that would make a grown man cry. Dr. Appt tomorrow should help clear that up and hopefully I’ll be able to get back in the saddle soon.

Any suggestions on training plans would be awesome if people think this is too much or not enough.

I have a goal of 5:30 for my 1/2 Ironman this Sept and I want to do everything in my power to nail that goal.