Training Plan

Creating a training plan allows you to focus on what you need in order to achieve goals. I find it helps keep me strict to training, but also have that element of guilt if the odd session is missed. As you can see from the June plan, I don’t always tend to stick to it. Red cells mean I missed the session, in this case that was some planned recovery runs on the treadmill but the knee didn’t feel up to it, so I listened to my body and decided against them. Life is all about having a balance and a variety, not just with social activities but also your training. Obviously my training is focused towards Alpe D’Huez Triathlon in August, however it has been tailored to also fit a massive 1000 mile bike ride in between. On top of this I also have to factor in the return from a knee injury and 11 weeks without a run to my name. The main focus in June is the easing back into running, my cycling is taking care of itself and I have a couple of longer rides planned back to back this weekend. I also have to take into account a week’s training course with work from the 25th that will limit my access to morning sessions at the gym. Now lets take a little look at July.

July is crunch time! To say I will be a bit busy, may be the understatement of the year! I have added a mini taper as I head into JOGLE week, this will allow for my legs to fully recover from some heavy miles these last few weeks. A couple of swims and little run in the build up week, this will allow me to keep the evenings free to sort out the support kit I will be taking away with me. JOGLE will be tough, there is no denying that, what I do need to do though is recover well and get straight back into the triathlon training when I return. The 2 weeks prior to me heading down into France will be aimed at increasing the run length and completing my first and only brick session (cycle straight into a run). With another little taper as the race day approaches, hopefully I am fighting fit come 2nd August!

This plan was put together by myself and a friend Eugene, who also happens to be a masseuse at the work gym. Eugene has been massaging my legs in prep for all my events these last couple of years. About 3 weeks ago he said my legs were in the worse condition he had ever seen them! Probably due to the lack of massaging and stretching I did whilst I was injured. I say friend, that’s up for debate after where he stuck his elbows today! Abductors felt the force for the first time earlier, and boy do I hope it’s the last time, something tells me he may want to get me a little more in that area. I dare think what the gym users thought at the time when I was calling Eugene all sorts from the massage table! Time to rest and get an early night before my 06:30 start tomorrow morning.