Bike (45 miles)
I kept up with the group yesterday on our ride up to Al-Hajb. The last time I rode with this group, they were pushing me on the back to help me stay up. And I was about dead once they had finally warmed up. How embarrassing. But not yesterday.
I was able to keep up with the group all the way to the bottom of the hill right before Al-Hajb. Once they started the climb, it was over for me. I didn't make it to the top of the mile-long hill cuz I knew I had to save some of my legs for the 22-mile trek back to our city.
Thankfully, though, that trek was mostly downhill, esp the last 8 miles. By then, my legs were turning to mush and I couldn't do too much.
But we are getting ready for our fun tri in Ifrane this weekend. Gonna do a Sprint with some buddies for fun. I am already feeling like I will be pulling in last place. Partially cuz I am slow and partially cuz it will be up in the mountains (and I'm not ready for that altitude).
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Coming out of the Lull
Run - 5.5 miles (48 minutes)
It really does take a while to recover mentally from a race that you prepare for. The Sprint in Larache was a few weeks back, and I am just now successfully pulling my head from out of the ground. I have been trying to exercise and train, but have lacked all motivation. A few days ago at the pool, I struggled to finish 600 meters. Good thing I only paid 10 MAD to get in (about $1.25).
I think I have been gaining momentum from watching the World Cup, 2010. As I see all these players running hard for 90 minutes, it's reigniting within me a desire to press on. They train constantly. I know I can't do that, but what I can do, I want to do with excellence.
Last week at the pool, I met Zeckeriah, a swim coach for his daughter and Simo's old friend. He took a look at a few of my laps and gave me some great pointers:
*First he had me lift myself out of the water by just using my forearms flat against the ground. "Those are the muscles you should be using when you stroke." Ouch!
*Then he told me to count my strokes for 50 meters: 57, whereas Simo was at 48. "Karim (my new Arabic name), get down to Simo's count. Simo, get down to 42." Still PB is 52.
*Finally, he told us to swim a length with our head out of the water. "If water is coming up to your mouth and nose, you aren't using your arms and legs enough." Talk about almost drowning. And then the sore body for the rest of the day. But what a great workout!
Now I need to find him and buy him a cup of coffee for the excellent advice and help. I think practicing those things will definitely help me get my mile below 30 minutes soon.
It really does take a while to recover mentally from a race that you prepare for. The Sprint in Larache was a few weeks back, and I am just now successfully pulling my head from out of the ground. I have been trying to exercise and train, but have lacked all motivation. A few days ago at the pool, I struggled to finish 600 meters. Good thing I only paid 10 MAD to get in (about $1.25).
I think I have been gaining momentum from watching the World Cup, 2010. As I see all these players running hard for 90 minutes, it's reigniting within me a desire to press on. They train constantly. I know I can't do that, but what I can do, I want to do with excellence.
Last week at the pool, I met Zeckeriah, a swim coach for his daughter and Simo's old friend. He took a look at a few of my laps and gave me some great pointers:
*First he had me lift myself out of the water by just using my forearms flat against the ground. "Those are the muscles you should be using when you stroke." Ouch!
*Then he told me to count my strokes for 50 meters: 57, whereas Simo was at 48. "Karim (my new Arabic name), get down to Simo's count. Simo, get down to 42." Still PB is 52.
*Finally, he told us to swim a length with our head out of the water. "If water is coming up to your mouth and nose, you aren't using your arms and legs enough." Talk about almost drowning. And then the sore body for the rest of the day. But what a great workout!
Now I need to find him and buy him a cup of coffee for the excellent advice and help. I think practicing those things will definitely help me get my mile below 30 minutes soon.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Starting all over
After this past tri and watching the pros, as well as my buddy SiMo, I have realized that I need to make some major changes in my training. At the finish line of a Sprint, I would have had a difficult time completing an Olympic. An Iron was incomprehensible! I have completely neglected the fitness aspect of it all. I just now started using a heart rate monitor.
"It's not how many miles, it's what you do with them."
I was logging the miles, but not really pushing myself throughout. My fitness level was pretty low. I could tell during this past race since I couldn't catch my breath after the swim until I finally finished. I just couldn't recoup.
Now I am working my way through "The Triathlete's Training Bible". Chapter by chapter, I am trying to figure out better ways to increase my capacity and fitness level. I can finish races, but not with any sort of speed. If I want to do anything of substantial distance, much needs to change: form, diet, schedule, etc.
But I am fairly excited about it. It is time to train well, not just train.
"It's not how many miles, it's what you do with them."
I was logging the miles, but not really pushing myself throughout. My fitness level was pretty low. I could tell during this past race since I couldn't catch my breath after the swim until I finally finished. I just couldn't recoup.
Now I am working my way through "The Triathlete's Training Bible". Chapter by chapter, I am trying to figure out better ways to increase my capacity and fitness level. I can finish races, but not with any sort of speed. If I want to do anything of substantial distance, much needs to change: form, diet, schedule, etc.
But I am fairly excited about it. It is time to train well, not just train.
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