Rebuild
The workshop.
This last season I did 3 Super Sprint races. All off the back of some form of sporadic “training”. Over the last 2 years my first focus for restoring heath and fitness was getting body composition where it should be. That started with some initial great advice from Kylie and then entailed working with Jova on strength and managing my food intake. This got me to a “good” point and after Hawks Nest I was ready to commit to training properly again.
This was always going to be a challenge and I don’t want to bore you with a TLDR blog that will make you fall asleep. However I do know that writing about my journey helps me process it and perhaps others can follow along. Putting myself out there helps keep me accountable.
So here are some findings and thoughts.
Zones 1 & 2 are your friend. This has somehow become mainstream, which makes me laugh a bit. I have always known its value. A lot of good things come from a strong aerobic base.
Recovery is the key to success. I used to be a train every day guy but a 60 year old chassis needs more / better rest. I am playing with this but 1 day a week minimum was the goal and I am now playing with the 5:2 framework that Nils Van der Poel talks about using when he wrote his “How to Skate a 10k” manifesto. 2 back to back recovery days is a mental challenge for endurance athletes. But for me it feels right at this stage of my journey. For you it probably just means swimming or easy riding on Monday and Friday.
Don’t be afraid of a day off. Have the courage to recover.
We have a tendency as humans to look for patterns in training data. We like nice linear progression and everything in neat boxes. I am trying to dislodge from that. It’s coming but not without hating it first. Comfort zones Pete !
However - numbers and data can also motivate so I am not detached. It keeps us honest and driven to be better. A healthy approach to data is what’s needed.
Testing has become something that’s more on my target these days. I am starting to work on repeatable test sets and test protocols that can help me track progress as well as understand if the training I am doing is working. Coming from zero makes this even more important
My mind can be the enemy. I get frustrated by a poor session and try to make up for it the next session. That leads to hurting my legs and I am faced with 4-5 days off or modified running as a result. Always keep the ego in check. Endurance is a long game.
For me I find strength to be critical. We lose muscle mass as we get older and I will need it to remain injury free and healthy. 2 times a week for 30mins
Training again over the last couple of years has made me a better coach. Previously I told myself a story that it wouldn’t. That was an incorrect assumption. I don’t want to tell myself those stories any more.
I have tested sessions, experienced giving prescription from an athlete perspective which showed some areas where I can get better, and in the end I have got the best final feedback which is reserved for races.
Why am I training? I love the process. My goal is to be as fit and strong as possible for as long as possible.
Tomorrow is Day 80 of my rebuild. Thanks for following along.
Cheers
Coach