Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Here We Go Again

Yesterday was the official start of training for the 2011 season. Originally, I had planned January 2 as the start date but mentally, I'm ready to go. My first workout was a 28 minute run, in the rain, accompanied by some new songs on the ipod. If you happen to like techno music, the beat of these two songs match quite nicely with running stride: White by Smith & Pledger and Escape by Liquid Soul. And if you're not a fan of techno, I also was listening to Kanye's Runaway. A 28-minute run doesn't allow for too many songs. The combination of the soothing rain, the overcast day, and the music really put me in a great place mentally, and I was loving the run...smiling from ear to ear. Though my glute and hammies still felt tight, they felt less tight. More importantly, my body felt strong.

I'm convinced now that my weight (123 lb.) for the latter half of the 2010 season was too low. The past six weeks of weights followed each time by a glass of chocolate milk has rewarded me with my current whopping 131-pound frame; and all I can say is that I feel solid and strong, whether it be during a swim, run or bike. My 30-minute twice per week weight sessions somehow evolved to one-hour sessions each time. It happened pretty organically, and there was a lot of motivation behind the time increase. I'll just go with the flow until I feel otherwise. Today was a ride in the Pain Cave followed by a swim. The pattern for the next 9 weeks will be:

Two weeks build, one week recovery
Ride Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
Run ever third day
Swim three times per week
Yoga twice per week
Weights twice per week
Foam roller every day

And gradually work my way back to a 9:30 PM bed time...I'm currently 24 minutes past due.

8 comments:

Beth said...

Back on the horse! Woo-hoo! :) Have fun getting back to it and hope you have a wonderful holiday too!

Kim said...

Glad you're back to training! I'm still on the Jan 2nd plan! Wow kid.. your weight WAS low in 2010.. glad you're getting up there a bit. I think it will help. I LOVE techno by the way! Give me your address and I'll send you a cd!!

Kathleen @ ForgingAhead said...

Your pain cave looks seriously no-frills. Love it!

Congrats on feeling strong - that's a great place to be.

JC said...

Way to be back at it. I've got to get the bedtime thing down pretty soon, I have REALLY fallen off the wagon there and that is SO key to great training.
Happy Holidays Mr.

Charisa said...

Whoooo hoooo - here's to an awesome 2011 with a FUN birthday training camp thrown in :)

Sub 10 all the way!!!!!

Michelle Simmons said...

Welcome back to the program! :)

Libby said...

yea! welcome to 2011- charisa is right. the year of the sub-10 :) I'm starting next monday. I'm about to explode I'm so ready but it was the smart thing to do as I wasn't quite right monday morning when I woke up to swim. trying to enjoy the last few days of offseason but I'm getting super anxious :)
123?!?!? you were way thin man! body comp is a big goal for me this next season. I really need to improve there and keep up with my strength training. anyhow, merry xmas, enjoy the knee biters and I can't wait to join you next week!!!

Teresa said...

So excited to watch you flourish in 2011!!!

Go get 'em!

tn