Change for Change

Following last week I'm up on both the consistency and quality scale. The change? A little research into a new program. A tri friend has been asking if I have a plan yet, meaning am I following a specific training plan to ready for the Ironman.

Well, the first time he asked I laughed. It was still almost 12 months from the Ironman. Although I was on an adrenaline high from signing up- new projects have that affect on me- I was thinking, really I'd peak too soon and other than base building or offseason training on a specific sport or strengthening muscles and connective tissue with weight training - I think I want to avoid getting too specific so I am not stale down the road in a few months.

Well, a month and a half later than same question has me thinking more about just when I am going to commit to a program. So I've looked at Gale B's book on tri training plans from one friend, and checked into Trifuel.com from another. I haven't given up on the idea of hiring a coach for more specific help but find that my schedule doesn't allow a lot of interaction with a coach anyway.

What I'm doing this week is trying on a 36 week program from trifuel. The last three years of training in zones has taught me that my HR zones are not going to change drastically so I know and can retest myself easily enough. The most refreshing thing about following this program is so simple. I've shifted activities and days and so everything feels different!

Try this! If you usually do this or that or don't because of your schedule, shift everything by a day and see what happens. I have time to play- I have more than 36 weeks so I'm not officially starting, I can try this on- and unless you're training for something coming up soon, so can you!

I basically did my long bike on a day that was my day off, did my long run on the next day and then a recovery on a day that was a recovery run. Today for instance, instead of going to the pool, I'm off to the trainer for a bike and then possibly a short run. If I am out of time before an appt. I'll split them up and do the short run later.

It is the same activities but it's like taking the backroads to a destination you go all the time. The scenery is different. I don't have that 'this is how I'm going to feel at this mark' ho-hum. It's great for the mental work!

Try to shift your schedule by a day or go to a group class you never attend. Try taking a day off in the middle of the week and taking advantage of your weekend days when you naturally have more energy anyway to get in more quality exercise.

Change takes change!