Every training schdeule I have ever seen, whether it be for triathlon, marathon etc. is based on the seven day week. I got to wondering why? Not wondering why that is done, but rather wondering where did the idea of a seven day week come from. Maybe its something obvious that any idiot should know but I admit I have no idea. Is it something to do with the rotation, or the orbit of the the sun or the moon?
Regardless of this mystery I do understand why training programs are created around seven days. For at least as long as I have been around, the traditional work week has been 5 days with a weekend of 2. The weekend always allowed for the personal time necressary to fit in longer training sessions, and so it made sense to do them once a week. It never seemed to work right however for triathlon training as normally you would altenate running and cycling days (the more demanding sports). and then fit in your other stuff (swimming, weights, X-training etc) as appropriate. The seven day week simply can't be split equally into 2 and as such it is hard to build a nice symmetrical training plan around it. I have always adhered though, since it seems too natural and easy to commit your long rides to saturday and your long runs to wednesday etc.
The thing is, that it just doesn't make sense for many people any more. The stores are open every day of the week, the churches are never open, many people work a continental rotation, or other types of shift work and the Internet is 24/7. I am personally blessed with a job that has me constantly checking to see what day it is since I do my work whenever it fits.
So...Im gonna try to build my entire plan around an even number. I am still undecided whether it will be 8 days or 10 but either way it should be interesting. The one other thing that seems to be common to most training plans in the idea of taking every 3rd or 4th week as a recovery week. The experts claim that you need that to "absorb" the training, and so that you don't break down from overtraining. I'm thinking that a slow steady progression geared specifically to your level and skill, might not be better that cramming for 2 weeks and then slowing down for the next week. It makes me wonder whether the need for recovery weeks is perhaps driven exclusively by the concept of a seven day rotation.
So thats gonna be my approach. Over the next few weeks I intend to lay out the entire years schedule including a few races I want to do, and then perhaps I will even post it for you. Having more experience now I feel so much more qualified to lay it out in advance. I will however not be afraid to adjust as needed. Above all else I have learned to listen to my body when it speaks to me. I can generally tell the difference between it telling me to "slow down before you hurt yourself you idiot", and "slow down, don't worry, be happy". Always, always listen to the first guy, and never, ever listen to the second guy.
Speaking of races I am very delighted to tell you that Roo and I are going to be racing together again for the first time in a long time. She is targeting the Around the Bay Road Race in Hamilton next spring (30kms), and I'm gonna try to keep up with her. Whatever we do that day we are committed to doing it together. She has set a stretch target for herself but I believe she can do it....and as I said...I will try not to slow her down.
Old John has suggested that as I move forward with my training that I note my daily workouts here, as he would be interested in seeing just how much time and effort it takes to prepare for Ironman. Im gonna give it a try since I need to record my efforts somewhere anyway. My only fear is that people will see how little I really do and the whole superman illusion will disappear. I also wonder why Old John wants to understand what it takes??.....hmmmm....
I will try to create some kind of a seperate template or link on the blog so as not to clutter this thing up, and such that I can reference it easily without having to scroll through all the posts. Until then I will make note at the end of each days post.
Workout today----11 km run 59' 33".
"Man was made at the end of the weeks work when god was tired"---Mark twain
Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music, and dancing. She goes tuesdays, I go fridays'---Henny Youngman
"Aint got nuthin but love babe, eight days a week"---Lennon/Mcartney
Love
Peter
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