Training for the Finish

03/30/09 - Track

I hit up the track today for our usual sessions with Coach Heskett. It's become our routine to start out with some warm-up laps, and then we do a moderate session and cool down. Today, however, we entered a new phase of our training. We've built up our base for the last 2 months, we're able to finish our race distance, so now we're working on getting to peak performance. We're entering a phase of training that will really stretch and push our physical limitations, and hopefully, prepare us to be the quickest triathletes we can be. The moderate sessions will now be replaced with some taxing and full-effort workouts. Just a warning, be on the look out for me being a bit more tired, I know this phase and the workouts start to get really intense.... soreness and whining may be unavoidable!

Our training today included 5 x 400m's (one lap) at a fast pace. This is no longer a jog, we are running at maybe 85%, and then we kick it into an all out sprint for the last 100m. I know, it sounds easy, just a quarter mile fast, a little sprint, and then rest for a couple minutes. The first few actually are easy, however, the last of them get your head going a little lopsided. The point is to train your body and mind to go through these stresses and maintain complete relaxation and control of our form. I think I did pretty well, and if I do say so myself, even passed a few ladies that are uber-triathletes! I'm such a slow runner, with my running mate always busting past me in the sprint, that it's pretty momentous to pass ANYONE, let alone one of the super fit gals we train with.

When we were leaving, our coach asked us if 5 repititions were enough, and I thought to myself and then answered, "No. I think 7 would be better." What was I saying??? Telling the coach that I wanted some more? I have a feeling there will be plenty more opportunities to burn the heck out of my muscles and run until I feel sick! For now, I'll take my 5 and know that I pushed it, I had room for more, and then I headed home to relax and still get out of bed without any pain this morning!