Last June I decided for various reasons to take a year off work. I had just started cycling a year before and around September started to swim a bit and try to get back into running. Had a few bike crashes that derailed training a bit.
My weeks range between 10-16/hours. Initially I was doing a 3 week build/1 week recovery, but that got to be a bit much so switched to 2 week/1 week.
I’ve talked to people who said they wish they could train full time. I’m not sure I would want to do this full time for much longer.
Back when I was running fairly seriously, I always thought that I would not want to do triathlon as all that training felt more like work. Now that I have been doing it for a while, it does seem like it.
It might be for a variety of reasons of course. Getting used to multisport training. Having to learn how to swim. Trying to get back to some semblance of running capability. Being almost 55
Its possible also that when I finally enter and do a race I might feel different as the reward for the hard work is there. Don’t get me wrong, i do enjoy the training once I’m actually out there. It’s the “I have to go and do X” that can get tired.
I certainly learned to appreciate what people have to do when they have a job and family and still train and do well in Ironman. I also appreciate what pros who may not be at the top have to do day in and out.
My mindset is completely different than it was when I got into this crazy game in '87. Every single thing I did was in check with getting faster…my whole life. It was not very balanced and it got to a no fun point somewhere. Having been out recently due to shoulder and knee injuries I am just so grateful to have a body that will allow me to experience the outdoors and multi sport life that it’s a treat to work out. Racing is fun for sure, but it doesn’t mean what it used to mean. I enjoy the camaraderie of race weekends with pals, excuses to drink beer and eat burritos too! Seriously, is sitting on the bike for 5 hours with pals that big of a burden;) LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
Thanks for the comments. Let me reiterate, I actually enjoy the training once I’m doing it. It’s the 6 days a week, twice a day that can get to me. This was not the case when I was running twice a day. Perhaps if the swimming and running were going better. I might feel differently.
This morning I did a 50 minute plus run with 6 X 3 minutes tempo. Love it. Going swimming this PM, trying a wetsuit for the first time.
I had signed up for a sprint at the beginning of April but pulled out as I did not feel ready. I don’t want to do a tri just to do it, I want to do as best as I can when I am fit. So, probably a late summer event.
For those that said they do these kind of hours and more a week, assuming you have at least one rest day, how do you manage 2 hours+ a day during the week?
Thanks for the comments. Let me reiterate, I actually enjoy the training once I’m doing it. It’s the 6 days a week, twice a day that can get to me. This was not the case when I was running twice a day. Perhaps if the swimming and running were going better. I might feel differently.
This morning I did a 50 minute plus run with 6 X 3 minutes tempo. Love it. Going swimming this PM, trying a wetsuit for the first time.
I had signed up for a sprint at the beginning of April but pulled out as I did not feel ready. I don’t want to do a tri just to do it, I want to do as best as I can when I am fit. So, probably a late summer event.
For those that said they do these kind of hours and more a week, assuming you have at least one rest day, how do you manage 2 hours+ a day during the week?
Right now I train ~12 hours/week, ramping up to 16 or so a week in a few weeks, with 1 rest day. Can’t speak for anyone else, but my job affords me the ability to work from home most of the time; because of this I gain an extra 60-90+ minutes per day that I would normally give up to a commute. Add to that the fact that when I get back after training in the morning and I can quickly take a shower and get on the phone/computer, and I’ve saved even more time. Prime reason I’m working towards a full IM in the next few years is I’ve got the time available to train without putting a stress on the rest of my life.
Thanks for the comments. Let me reiterate, I actually enjoy the training once I’m doing it. It’s the 6 days a week, twice a day that can get to me. This was not the case when I was running twice a day. Perhaps if the swimming and running were going better. I might feel differently.
This morning I did a 50 minute plus run with 6 X 3 minutes tempo. Love it. Going swimming this PM, trying a wetsuit for the first time.
I had signed up for a sprint at the beginning of April but pulled out as I did not feel ready. I don’t want to do a tri just to do it, I want to do as best as I can when I am fit. So, probably a late summer event.
For those that said they do these kind of hours and more a week, assuming you have at least one rest day, how do you manage 2 hours+ a day during the week?
On ST you can always expect someone to insult a poster without adding any value to a discussion whatsoever. Did I indicate in any way that which you state? In fact, I clearly state that I admire people who can train full time while working full time.
I don’t think I would want training to be my full time job. Actually, I know I wouldn’t. I love to train and I’m getting in about 3h a day right now, but I need to be intellectually challenged and school (and hopefully later, work) fulfill that need. I have a far easier time training and am much happier when I’m busy and trying to fit it all in. Today I ran 11.5 mi in the AM, worked from 7-2:00, and I just got out of the pool. 4100 yds and the swim = 2h40 of training. If I were not so tired I’d consider cycling.
It’s so much easier for me to get workouts in when I have to schedule them around stuff; weekends I can have all day but I’ll get up and run and go “eh, that’s enough for the day” and spend the rest of the day on the couch
I like the break that training is in my day.
I also don’t like the “I have to do X” feeling. I like “I want to go run” feeling. Or “oooh, lucky me to have a pool pass since it’s 90* and humid today.”
I don’t think I would want training to be my full time job. Actually, I know I wouldn’t. y."
3 hours a day with a full schedule. Amazing.
Not really. I’m 23 with few obligations: no guys in the picture and obviously no kids or anything. So 2 x 90 min sessions, or 2 hrs / 1 hr, pretty easy.
I’m not sure what to say, I have a full time job and train that much all the time.
Yep. I trained much more than that during IM build last year, with a full time job. This year I’m concentrating on cycling and am generally between 15-17hrs a week.
