Training

Introduction

My approach to training is this:

• Most athletes make their hard days too easy and their easy days too hard. -- Joe Friel
• Consistency counts.
• Don't race when you train.
• Avoid mega weekends.
• The older you are, the more recovery time you need.
• Keep a diary.
• Listen to your body.
• Be the willow, not the oak.

The training methods that work best have been around a long time. My approach is a bit different than most, but there is nothing new in what I advocate. The usual approach to triathlon training focuses on the three activities used in racing: swimming, cycling, and running. Let's call those the Big Three. I recommend adding three more: strength training, flexibility, and mental toughness.

Yes, I know, the reaction from many athletes will be Who has the time? Believe, there is time. Why? Because the old school training programs are designed to consume all available time on the Big Three. Reducing time spent on the Big Three is beneficial in several ways:

• More recovery time, essential for older athletes.
• Better quality of execution, which reduces the risk of injury.
• More time to balance training activity.

The following table contains links to details about the six training activities. (This is a work in progress, so not all links are operational yet. Please watch the announcements section on the homepage.)

Building a plan

There is a limited amount of time available for training. It is only natural to assume that the pros have it easy because their job is to train. The reality is that even if you had all day, every day, you could not train full time. Your body would fall apart. My special interest is the senior athlete, and it is here where time management -- stress management, actually -- is even more critical.

Building a training plan is part science, part experience, and part luck. Why? Because the body is so complex and unpredictable. It never respondes exactly how we predicted. The best we can do is make an educated guess and monitor the response. In Building a Plan I describe ways to combine the six training activities into a coherent schedule.

TrainingPeaks

There are not very many things I insist on as a coach, but one is a TrainingPeaks account. The TrainingPeaks calendar is the tool we use together to plan and record your activity. If you are new to TrainingPeaks I can assist with the on-boarding process.

Fast After 50

I owe a great deal to the work of Joe Friel. His Training Bible series provides the foundation for my approach to training. I am especially interested in working with senior athletes, applying what I learned from his book Fast After 50 combined with my years of experience as one of the old guys. Another good read that he co-authored with Gordon Byrn is Going Long.