Training for the European Triathlon Championships
Background
I am thinking about participating in 2014 ETU Triathlon
European Standard Distance Championships (Kitzbühel, Austria June 19 2014 -
June 22 2014) by competing in Anglian Water Standard Distance Triathlon - 22
September 2013.
Update 3 September 2013
I’m now in taper week (for Granite Man), although because I’ve been carrying
an achillies injury there is an argument that I’ve been in the taper phase for
about 4 weeks. However now is the time to start preparing for Granite Man (8 Sept)
and 2014 ETU Triathlon European Standard Distance (22 Sept)
As mentioned in earlier blog I won’t treat Granite Man too
serious and would prefer with quit the run than risk compounding injury and
impact to ETU Qualifier. However I would like to see how I feel, and I haven’t
withdrawn form the race.
This is my taper week plan…
Training
I’ve done too much really, 60miles on Sunday and 2 x
Spin Class on Monday is not a good
formula. Nor is the spin class I have to do on Wednesday. However if that’s all
I do (120 miles+/-) that isn’t going to take too much out of me with 3 days to
go (from Thursday to Sunday)
On the run I am still just doing walk/jog and gentle runs
for short distances but feeling OK. At this stage I cannot get better, but I
can get injured so there is no point in trying hard now!
On the swim I’ve stopped because I’m already committed to too
much bike and there is no point in compounding the over-training by swimming
too. I might jump in the water for a few 100 meters just to keep technique but
no effort.
Food
I’ve bought a massive amount of fruit and intend to eat 5 a
day, every day between now and race day. We always talk about eating 5 a day,
but seeing 5 items in a nose bag really makes me think that I don’t do this
enough. The same applies to drinking water. I have a 2 litre bottle on my desk
and I aim to drink the full bottle every day. I might wee like a fountain, but
I won’t be dehydrated!
Recovery
I had a Thai Massage today which was really good. Because of
the achillies injury I have been trying to stretch and do the exercises
necessary to release tension which might be the cause of the achillies injury.
The Thai Massage today made me feel great and makes me realise that I really
should do more stretching and probably yoga.
Race Day Prep
I mentioned in earlier blogs that I’be bought new trainers
and aim to run them in a bit (just a couple of miles) and I have bought gels,
fuel, go-bars etc. So I will start now thinking about kit preparation and race
day strategies. This isn’t going to be
my best race. Due to injury, my recent holiday in Ireland (when I didn’t train)
and a poorly constructed taper week (due to spin class commitments) however I
can improve my chances and feeling by the right taper, food, drink, recovery
and planning (mind-set)
Tim HJ Rogers
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