World Du

World Du
moments before the World Duathlon Age Group Championships in Nancy, France

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Hump Day yay - halfway thru Peak Week 1 of 2

A lot of folks who do triathlon races, marathons, cycling races or many other sporting activities are familiar with the "taper" period before their big day. 

My training plan could be considered an "active" taper. There are 2 Peak Weeks and then Race Week itself. Training doesn't stop but there is little "fitness" to be gained and yet with no training or too little training all that hard earned fitness can be lost quite quickly. The distances during the Peak weeks are reduced - but many of the workouts are combined or "bricks". Also the intensity is meant to be more "race-like".

This approach may not work for everyone  and the first year I trained using Joe Friel's active taper method, I was a bit concerned I wouldn't feel rested. I now have 100% faith in this approach for me. I applied this identical plan for my 70.3 races last yr and for EPIC and I felt the fatigued from the longer workouts was gone. I felt well rested  since not as much time is required. I force myself to bed earlier and truly rest when it is called for and feel energized for every workout. These sessions are also a lot of fun since they are different than any other training block in the plan. My mind becomes more and more peaceful too. 

Here's a peek at Peak Week 1 

note: slightly adjusted to accommodate hosting childhood pals Rob Guty (Aka Sgt Ribbie Froggy) and sister Elizabeth Sitland (nee Guty aka little Elizabeth) and Rob's friend Karen and Doug (hubby of Elizabeth) plus their kids Harrison, Katerine and Jack. I'll do a separate post with photos on our short but oh so sweet reunion.

Monday - swam open water  100s at T pace 3000m
Tuesday - 6k run at lunch 
Wednesday - b4 work 10k run / afterwork 1.5 hr bike power zone 2
Thursday - b4 work 1 hr recovery bike / afterwork swim at pool 200s T pace 1 hr
Friday - b4 work 1 hr easy bike
Saturday - swim 4k / bike 1.5 hrs / run 2.5  race simulation 
Sunday - 2 hr recovery bike





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