Base 1 Week 3

I started this week with a plan to do about 16 hours of work. That is too much for me to handle but enough to motivate me to work harder than last year. I realized that using the formula and schedule provided by the Training Bible is a bit unrealistic for me, but I am sticking with the plan. I reviewed a lot of training philosophies on the internet this offseason. Many people talk about the need to do large volumes of long slow distance training, while others suggest this is not needed. Feeling confused by the excess of conflicting information, I decided to go with the Training Bible guidance. Intuitively, I feel the volume goals set forth in that book are over the top, but I made a commitment to give it a go this year. The goals set forth are a bit challenging to attain - I have now missed the targets by a small percentage each week - but I can't help but trust that if I shoot for high goals, I will improve my performance.

This week had 16 hours on the plan. The plan started off with a 1 hour run, a lunch lifting session and an evening bike ride (2 hours of zone 1 & 2 with isolated leg training and spin ups worked in). On Wednesday I was supposed to do a 1.5 hour recovery spin - which I missed - and a 1 hour swim. On Thursday I completed a 1.75 hour run after work and on Friday I swam for 1 hour - missed a 30 minute run. Saturday was a 3 hour bike - completed the 3 hour tough love video and a 45 minute lifting session - which I missed. Today I am going to run for 45 minutes and do a recovery ride for 1.75 hrs. My body is a bit fatigued, but I am feeling pretty good at the end of week 3. My nutrition has been good - my weight is staying right around 170-175 lbs - and I am taking in plenty of well balanced meals. Last year at this time I was getting sick, eating too little, and eating crap foods. I think the combination of a multivitamin, recovery drinks, plenty of sleep, and better nutrition is helping me recover better and come close to meeting the lofty goals of the Training Bible. I hope I can improve my workout completion rate in Base 2, but so far I am happy with where I am.

Here are the workouts I completed this week:

Tuesday Run: http://tpks.ws/xNqz

Tuesday Lift: http://tpks.ws/AOJI

Tuesday Bike: http://tpks.ws/NuhM

Wednesday Swim: http://tpks.ws/ZSN4

Thursday Run: http://tpks.ws/4dDg

Friday Swim: http://tpks.ws/0CMX

Saturday Bike: http://tpks.ws/pEBx

Sunday Run: http://tpks.ws/Pdur

Sunday Ride: http://tpks.ws/VCwz