XT

I just got back from a bike ride and thought I'd post about my cross-training/base training/non-training/strength training plan for the first part of this year.

First of all, I have one run to report

Monday: run

5.0 miles/47:38/9:32 average pace

Slow easy run along the river on a dry afternoon

And here's my ride from today

Tuesday: bike

10.0 miles/49:32/12.1 MPH

Mtn bike ride along the river path in a windy wind

So as I have mentioned, I am not training for a spring marathon this year. I already have mixed feelings about this- I know I swore off marathons for a while (Ironman exempted) but I guess I don't really know how to train for anything else! This is going to be interesting. So here is what I have in mind (the cross-training/base training/non training/strength training mentioned above):

- Cross Training: The words here are a little misleading, because actually this is the swimming and biking I am going to do to prepare for triathlon/Ironman training. In my own personal experience, "cross training" is something that is secondary to running and easily blown off. What I need to be doing is meaningful TRI training. I'm still going to call it cross training though I think. For now. For the next few weeks, my goal is to get in 2-3 cycling workouts of 45 minutes or more a week (outdoor or on the trainer). That will go up as my cycling legs come back. Zach and I will also start swimming Master's twice a week or so starting in February.

- Base Training: Here I mean RUN base training, but the cross training above fits the category as well, as it is all meant to get me in good shape to begin triathlon training in May (ish). I am going to try to keep my run mileage in the 30+ mpw range for the next few months and do several shorter (up to half marathon) races for fun.

- Non-Training: I am really in for a brutal few months of incredibly hard work when I begin training for the Ironman, so I am going to use the first part of the year to just chill. I am going to do all the workouts I described above but in a very loosey-goosey, look-how-much-fun-I'm-having, flexible manner. Save all my mental energy for the summer/fall. I'll probably write up little schedules for certain periods but nothing long-term.

- Strength Training: I am really bad about logging this or posting about it here, but I have started and plan to continue doing core, upper, and lower body strength training several times a week. I have a nice weight room here in the apartment building, and I have all kinds of fun weights and balance balls and stuff in my apt too, so no excuses.

- Bonus: I am serious about losing weight, at least 5 lbs and then we'll see. I think not training for a marathon will really help with this goal because I always eat like a horse while running 50 mpw. When not eating at horse-level I actually drop weight easily, so that's encouraging. I want to be lean and mean and fit more comfortably into my jeans (you like that rhyme?).

So there it is, my plan for the near future. I will start logging my bike workouts along with running but will probably forget to ever log strength training or track my weight, so just assume I'm looking more and more like Jillian from Biggest Loser every day. :) Minus the horse face.