Friday, May 28, 2010

Sprint tri micro training plan week 1...

My sprint tri is about 9 days away now. I am feeling pretty good about it despite the lack of real preparation prior to this week. As I have said before, I never go into this trying to win a medal, fortune or fame but I would like to improve my time. The last time I did this race was 2 years ago so here's hoping something has improved!

This week, I decided to drop boot camp for most of the week in favor of getting more swim, bike and run sessions in. The decision was made easy after one of the components in boot camp on Monday involved cartwheeling from one end of the basketball court to the other. Have I told you my childhood gymnastics experience? It is a short story but scarred me for life. LOL. As a youngster, I went to gymnastics for a few sessions. I don't think I was all that old, maybe 5? Anyhow, one of the little girls in my class stepped on my foot and told me I had fat toes. I never went back. It is funny now but is also the reason I don't cartwheel across the gym today (the guys in boot camp weren't crazy about it either) Ha ha.

Wednesday, I got a swim in. I only did 1000 meters but got a sense of my time. I should be able to complete the swim in about 8 minutes barring too much pandemonium at the start. For my workout, I did a 400 swim, 2 x 200 pull, 100 kick, and 100 swim to finish.

Since my biking is my weakest leg and I haven't had an opportunity this week to ride outdoors, I decided to give spin a try. I have taken a spin class before at Lifetime and remember thinking it was a little boring, I was watching the clock the whole time. I kind of think it was the instructor. I went to the early class this morning with a different instructor and loved it! For me, it was a big help to concentrate on pulling up on the pedals. I can really tell a difference when I take advantage of the clips on my shoes and use them properly. Hopefully, this will translate to my ride next week!


Post spinning, I did a quick 500 meters in the pool. I could definitely feel the difference between swimming fresh and swimming after an hour of spinning so took it a little easy and worked on my form. In my last masters session a while back, the coach said I was dragging my right arm a little low when I pull through. I have noticed that when I keep my elbow higher, my legs stay up higher as well (less like pulling anchors through the water). Hmmm.... The things you learn when you actually pay attention to a coach's advice!

All in feeling confident about next week's race. A few more days to get some work in before it happens!

Have a great weekend!

3 comments:

Teamarcia said...

Wow 9 more days! So excited for you! Have a great holiday weekend!

That Pink Girl said...

I am so impressed of your swimming. My sprint tri is in two weeks and I'm headed out this afternoon for "lessons" with a friend. My goal is simply this - to not drown.
I KNEW it would be hard, but not this hard! Yikes!
Good luck in your training!

Lindsay said...

such a slacker, dropping out of boot camp ;)

cartwheeling? umm. i feel like that would make me puke?

a week/a little less than! i am sure you will see great improvements from 2 years ago.