This type of training is not exciting by typical standards. There are no numbers to brag about, no monster workouts, and for the first time in my racing career, I am not actively trying to get faster. Nevertheless, I am truly enjoying it because LSD training is making me a more introspective athlete. For example, I can head out for a run where I focus on the minute details of my form because I am not concerned with pace. I can enjoy my surroundings during trail runs because my breathing is not drowning out the noise of nature. I am meeting new people and having great conversations during group rides and runs because every workout is not the most important thing in my life. This really is the most fun and exciting time I have had in my training. Although, despite the jovial attitude I have during training sessions, the training plan is still regimented.
When I began endurance training I thought the off-season was for unstructured training; time where I could drink beer and eat ice cream so much that it was easiest to measure quantities of both by the gallon. However, when it comes to long-course racing, I need to be prepared for an aerobic effort that is longer than a normal person’s workday. To do this, I need to train consistently for month after month, staying motivated yet restraining from fueling my previous Type-A, HTFU mentality about training. By following this low-intensity, high-volume training method for the past seven weeks, I am training as much as I was for IMWI ’11 with lower effort, greater consistency, better balance, and improved efficiency (less recovery time, fewer injuries, better form, etc.) I have not looked at my training logs to compare to my current speed/effort levels with those from 2011, but I certainly don't remember it being this exhilarating.
At this point in training, it is all about consistency. After a period of adjustment, where coach JP and I figured out what fit in best with my work/home schedules, we have settled on a basic, skeleton week that will be repeatable for the next few months. Currently the schedule has two workouts a day on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, and Sat, a Legs Off (i.e., swim only) day on Friday, and then a long run on Sunday; the goal is to hit 4 swim sessions, 3 bike sessions, and 5 run sessions each week. Each workout has a specific purpose and an effort/HR limit under which I work. Meaning, each workout is measured and controlled so I can recover fully day-to-day and, more importantly, so I can repeat this schedule for several months without becoming too fatigued or overtrained.
Inevitably, something will happen in the future that will make this training not so much fun anymore. But, for now, with everything feeling perfect and fresh I'm going to keep banking solid blocks of training at let a young Vince Vaughn remind me to stay positive during my training.
