This & That

HELLO! It's been a while, non?

Oddly, it seems a rather daunting task to keep up with writing on a triathlon training blog when you don't have any clear set triathlon goals for the coming season (somebody make a decision for me, mmkay?) and your training is, ummm – in an extended off season?

The trusty old "do what you feel like when you feel like" training method has been my reality for the last couple months (probably since the half marathon in fact). This is easily the longest I've gone without some sort of structure since I started doing triathlons. Couple that with the fact that I don't have a “big goal” to work toward for next season, and I'm feeling a little all over the map.

Don't get me wrong, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Just a different thing. I think off seasons are a good thing and are definitely needed to refresh and recharge. Unfortunately, it just doesn't leave me with a lot to write about.

Anyway, (as usual) I'm rambling. Let's get to what I have been doing…

Workouts with other people! This is somewhat new for me. I tend to be the type of person who does the majority of my training solo (especially when working toward a big event) as I like to be able to get the workout in at a time that works best for my schedule. My preferred exercise time is often very early in the morning – and sadly, there don't seem to be a lot of early morning groups around these parts.

Anyway, as of late, I've hit up a couple different (free!) classes and am also attending group (run/cycle) sessions with Kelly's group in the evenings two days a week. This means that probably over 50% off my training time is spent with other people. Weird.

One of the classes I've attended a couple times now has been a Core & Stretching for Cycling class at Trek Bikes Victoria's new spin studio The Loft. It's pretty much just an intense 30 minutes of core work – core work that I could probably do on my own at home, but that I do not do on my own at home – so it's definitely nice to go and get that little push that's needed (oh, and did I mention it's free! That's some good value right there).

The day of and day after the first time I attended this class, my whole entire core (and other body parts too) felt so exhausted and sore, but in the best possible way. It was amazing.

I also attempted my first Lululemon Run Club last week – and while it didn't leave me feeling quite as pumped as the core class, that could be because myself and one of the run leaders got separated from the group and got a little lost – so we pretty much just went for a run and chatted. It was nice to meet someone new who shares similar interests though and to have some company for a solid hour long run. Considering this is also a free group, I will most likely give it another shot in the near future.

Mostly, with no schedule tying me down, I'm really trying to stretch out of my comfort zone, maybe make some new friends who share similar interests and try some new/different things. So far, I'd say it has been moderately successful.

On top of all the above, I also ran a very muddy and challenging 16km trail/cross country race in a somewhat under trained state (and it was really fun).

Kirsten and I ran the Harriers Stewart Mountain Cross Country Challenge 10 Mile race on the weekend. 

I had absolutely no expectation and really only signed up because Kirsten talked me into it with the promise that she would stay with me and not ditch me (which she actually held true to – this might be a first). 

For me, it was a pretty solid effort – not my hardest fastest race pace ever, but definitely an honest effort and a really fun time. The mud puddles and stream crossings were pretty high and it was great to just splash away. Running around through a park on trails that don't get used that often, up and down a mountain, splashing through mud and muck, definitely brings out your inner child.

Next on the agenda of new things – I'll be trying out a power meter at trainer class this week. It both excites me and makes me nervous. Stay tuned for an update on how that turns out.

Trainer Class in the Pain Cave (aka. Straight Up Cycles)
Source

Oh, oh! Also, speaking of new things and stepping out of your comfort zone… If anyone wants to drop large sums of money on me for Christmas/birthday this year, umm, I think this would be awesome!