This evening I traded in my running shoes for spa flip flops in honor of my upcoming vacation and a triathlon training treat! My feet haven’t enjoyed a pedicure since May so tonight’s treatment was definitely needed!
Last week wasn’t perfect as I missed my speed workout but overall I am still pleased with my training. This week is the triathlon so come Monday 100% of my focus will be on the Berlin Marathon! But, until then, I have 5 days of triathlon training and a mini taper between me and the triathlon on Saturday.
Monday: I did a much needed 5 mile tempo run after work. There is nothing better than a sweaty run after a long conference which includes sitting in a dark room all day! I kept an average pace of 9:14 which considering the humidity means this training is working!
Tuesday: The Tuesday night 90 minute power yoga class never gets old and regardless the focus of the class, each one leaves me limber and thankful for investing the time. Last week wasn’t the best week for inversions or balances but I was able to go deeper than normal in my twists and chair pose.
Wednesday: Rest day
Thursday: I squeezed in a 15 minute yoga for runners session in addition to 10 minutes of arms & abs at home while watching Friends season 4.
Friday: My 14 mile long run wasn’t perfect but I finished feeling strong and was pleased with my average pace of 9:55. I learned a lot this week including the fact that I need to bring more water or plan my route along water fountains.
Saturday: Does walking more than 7 miles around Paris count?
Sunday: Triathlon training has helped me fall back in love with physical activity in a whole new way. Last year after a morning of travel I would come home and relax on the couch all evening. Yesterday, while I was looking forward to more Friends episodes, the thing I wanted to do first was bike and swim. Who am I? I did a reverse brick workout including biking & swimming. I rode 17 miles by myself before open water swim practice. Our practice was cut short due to weather but I still squeezed in around 1200 meters freestyle including a few sighting and triathlon simulations! I couldn’t stop smiling after this workout!
Your turn – What are your tips for first time triathletes? I’m going to do a post dedicated to this topic later in the week! This home girl appreciates & needs any and every tip she can get!
My tip is to find a training buddy, and to read every race recap possible! Even though I’m doing a sprint tri on Saturday for the first time, the ironman recaps do a great job of including tips that a newbie triathlete wouldn’t know!
Good luck on Saturday Katie! I will be reading recaps all this week! Do you have any favorite recaps?
My advice is usually to train a lot more than you think you need to, but your training has been stellar! I actually hated my first tri, but I think in the end I just didn’t train hard enough, I was way more focused on running and pool swimming, so the open water was so hard. so. hard. I’m planning to “tri” again next year… 🙂 Good luck! I’m rooting for you!
Thanks Erin!!!
List everything you need and check it off as you pack it. I put my equipment on a plastic bag, which can be thrown away or used to transport your wetsuit and soggy clothes. Have fun!
Great idea – thanks Jen!
I walked through each transition before my race and also packed my bag with storage sized zip locks labeled T1 and T2, they helped me mentally prepared and made it easy to lay everything out when I set up!
Great idea Katie! I read a similar tip in the book i’ve been reading!
I am training for my first triathlon too. What race/distance are you doing? I am doing my first Olympic this September at the Lobsterman. Keep up the awesome training!
I am doing a sprint distance this weekend which includes a 500m swim, 12 mile ride and 5k run. Good luck with your Olympic!!
Oh good luck!! Im giddy for you thinking of my first tri
Plan “walking through” transition before packing things & take out everything you realistically don’t need. I packed way too much “just in case” bits the 1st year meaning my transition area (which is super small ) was really cluttered. I spent way too much time trying to see if I needed anything else before hopping on the bike. Also, put your gloves & sunglasses in your helmet & balance on the handlebars. Make the helmet the 1st thing you put on & fasten before anything else as you wont be allowed out of transition without it.
Oh yeah, and kick ass!!!! And enjoy it
That’s a great idea Orla! I’m packing my transition bags today and am definitely going light.
I’m training for an all female “mini” tri. 200 yard swim, 12 mi. ride & 2 mi. run. I’ve been running for several years & love it & was really surprised at how much I enjoy the riding. The swimming, however, I don’t even like a little bit!! I cannot get the breathing down. This is my first so I don’t have any tips but I love reading everyone’s suggestions.
Good luck Traci! Hopefully today’s post which is tips from different readers will help you too!
So first off – YES to a spa day (or just nails!) I swear it’s the little things. I’ve never done a tri so I’m fresh out of tips, but I swam competitively for 13 years and I never breathe every single stroke – for whatever reason (I’m sure there’s a science behind it) it’s exhausting and I feel like it tires me out more. Take long strokes, keep kicking, and stay calm. You are going to crush it! So excited to hear how it goes!
Thanks for the breathing tips. I’m going to focus on calm breathing – hopefully! 🙂
Try not to waste too much time in transition. Since the distances are shorter, you can save time by not messing with putting on a visor (provided you’re already wearing sunglasses from the bike) or Garmin when you’re heading out to run. And have FUN!!!
Thanks Laura! I am going to save time by putting my Garmin on my bike handlebars so I can put it on during the ride and I am not going to wear sunglasses on the bike. I’ve never done that thus far.