Thanks for the roll call @JoeX . January has been good. Wrapped up a Sprint full cycle block in the first week (previous post somewhere gave the details). Took a full week off the bike and went skiing with the family. Week after skiing did the first week of traditional base just to get back on the bike easy and learn how to use my new power meter - no more Virtual Power, its hard to keep the darn thing on target (with 3 sec smoothing). Started SSBLVII, new ramp test FTP of 213 W. Continued with MAF run, feeling really good at snail pace, but switching now to a 9 week block to go for a 5K PR (wont mention target time so I’m not laughed at ). Of course no swimming.
Oh damn. This is a role call I kind of want to shy away from.
I’ve taken a bit of a step back with my training. I was doing pretty good from a mental standpoint for pretty much all of 2020 knowing I was training to build a gigantic base for 2021 race season, but January really took me out of it. Zwift racing just isn’t enough motivation to put in the work. Last week I forbade myself from doing any training in hopes of re-kindling my desire and I think it’s worked alright, but I’m almost certain I’ve lost a fair amount of fitness.
Usually in the winter I get my running in on the treadmill at my work’s fitness center as I’m not a fan of the paths/sidewalks around here. I either have to do some really short loops in the streets in my neighborhood or risk ice. But the office is still closed. OK fine, I’ll do more XC skiing, but again I’m having motivation issues. My XC ski races have pretty much turned into non-competitive ski touring events and I find it hard to go out and drive to the nordic center for a workout. Pools are open but I feel it’s still best for society if I stay away. I also tend to get my swim form back very rapidly.
So in a nutshell, I’m getting back on the trainer and feeling a bit more motivated. Taking a ramp test today which will probably give me a sadish number as I broke into the 4.5W/kg club a couple months ago right as I was peaking in my training. At least it will give me something to chase. Hoping to keep getting out on the XC skis for the next month too to supplement the biking until I start lacing up my running shoes again.
The pool happens when the pool happens.
I should re-listen to those old basic episodes! (Although I find Jim Lubinski’s schtick grating after a while…)
Good advice! I just put in an eBay bid on a 935… We’ll see if it holds.
I checked Airbnb last night and it seems to be filling up rather quickly now. I booked a condo with flexible cancellation policy and there weren’t too many left around the race weekend.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll book this weekend!
My Accommodation rolled over from last year so I am all booked up. Hoping to make a holiday of it so booked for a couple of weeks
I’m driving over to mainland Europe, so I have also booked my channel tunnel - as I have a feeling, if things open up a bit - that places bay sell out
My Progress last year
Then some downtime across December.
Now starting to rebuild fitness again for 2021 …
@JoeX thanks for the roll call.
I’m in week 5 of Full Base although obviously no swimming. Everything is going well, VO2 workouts have just started which I absolutely hate but they are the ones I need.
The work that outlaw have put into getting races going is great, if anyone listens to the team Oxygen addict podcast there’s a really good interview with Iain Hamilton who is in charge of Outlaw.
Sorry. No, I don’t know what the outlook on accommodations is like. I’m planning to stay with some friends who live about 20 minutes away from St. George.
Just throwing it out there - I did St Goerge and stayed in a town that I beleive was east of St. George called Hurricane. Some amazing rides before the event and headed into the race I was going against all the traffic. I totally recommend it! A little small town so be careful. I’m Canadian and mistakingly ordered meat at the deli in grams…that was awkward but we got it resolved…
I’m a pretty serious rookie to posts so I’m hoping this goes to the right place! Challenge Roth and IMC planned for this year for me!
I see many here are using both TR and Zwift. I’m complete the MV base in MV build but how are others incorporating Zwift and the segments/challenges? Are both programs running and ignore Zwift? I’m getting caught up in Zwift but then losing my TR workout goals. Are you adding workouts by Zwift races.
If you wouldn’t mind sharing - what are some tips on doing both?
I very rarely race on Zwift more often on Rouvy and if I do during a training plan I swap out a TR Threshold session for the race, or the biggest TSS workout for a 70.3 distance.
Unless I’m racing (only once a week right now with my team in the Zwift Racing League) I follow my TR Workout and have Zwift running along as well either during events or ticking off route badges or just collecting XP. If you have a smart trainer you need to set it up so TR is controlling your trainer and Zwift is just reading power - - there are other threads with more of a description on it (I just have a dumb trainer and Favero pedals).
I see now that @joex added my name to the roll call. Thank you Joe for holding us accountable!
Challenge Roth and IMC in Pentiction coming for me ( I hope). Volume is good as I’m very much a rookie, trying to incorporate strength and yoga that I have not done in the past and it really seems to help. Thanks for the add @JoeX
January has been… very ‘January’ in a lot of regards but training has gone ok. Building towards IM Mallorca in May which I doubt will happen…
20 mins every day on the Vasa. I have ‘developed’ cyclist arms over 2020. No pool access.
Run every day, min 10k. Averaged 75 minutes a day. Not much intensity, all to feel.
Lots of indoor riding… 2 x zwift races per week, WTRL points races on Tuesdays and TTT on Thursdays at the higher levels of those things. Pretty testing.
Doing between 15-20 hours a week which is about my average. Will start adding longer run / rides in later in Feb.
Need to test FTP but suspect I’m down a little compared to September / October last year.
Scrapping Ironman plans for this year!
Pool are just not opening here in the UK anytime soon and with my swim being the weakest discipline I don’t think it would be an enjoyable experience.
Halfway through sustained power build and feeling good. Have decided to not kill myself on the ramp tests and just leave ftp as it tests. Completing the workouts but not feeling like death is a great feeling and huge confidence booster.
Runs have been going great. Trying to build up to a 25+ in the next few weeks. Strength training has really helped any niggles.
Going to keep doing sustained power build in the road bike position and switch to tt bike for 40k tt speciality. Immediate goal is sub 1 hour 40k tt with some elevation.
-2°C and Ramp test tomorrow morning.
Turning on the fan is going to take some courage
After much delaying, Ive decided to focus on strength, and switched down to Olympic Build MV and modified it so that I’ll be doing 3 lift days, and 3 bike and run days, one rest.
A little late but here is my roll call @JoeX
Training has been going great so far. Just about to start week 10 of Full Ironman Base Mid volume. Sitting at 11 weeks out of St. George 70.3 and 20 weeks out of CdA Ironman.
Just having been slowly building volume to this point: 16 hour week and up to 900 TSS. Thats been split between 2 swims, 5 rides and 6 runs (currently averaging 40 miles slowly work up to 50-60 miles) a week. Plan on working to 17-19 hour weeks towards CdA and will be using St. George as a tune up race while also hoping to qualify for 70.3 worlds.
Late on the roll @JoeX , but yes all good here. Training has been mostly consistent and first race of the season completed with Tauranga Half. Ironman 70.3 New Zealand in four weeks.
Question for you more experienced campaigners… Is it normal for my VO2 to be lower after an event? I was 55 heading into the Tauranga Half and I’ve only just got back up to 52 - for the first week it was only 49. Yes these are VO2 numbers from days with VO2 intervals. I’m feeling recovered and have three weeks of hard work ahead before a short taper. Thoughts?