Polar Performance Report – August 2016

SPORTS TRACKED: Cycling, Running, Swimming, Strength, Mountain biking

RUN STATS: 224 KM

Run Elevation: 2,043 M

Run Hours: 19

Rest Days: 3

Longest Run: 21 km at Sea Wheeze Half Marathon

Shortest Run: 2 KM Grouse Grind

Most enjoyable training run: I think the best training run was running the race course while the triathletes and duathletes raced in Bracebridge as a final progression run before my half in August.

New/Interesting places I raced and trained: Vancouver, BC, Bracebridge, ON

Cycling KM: 456 km

Mountain Biking KM: 255.7 KM (Huge increase over last month)

Strength workouts: 3

RACES: 

SeaWheeze Half Marathon – I set a PR of 1:27:28 and truly had an amazing time on the course.

5 Peaks Dundas Conservation Area – This was the week after my marathon so I went on a very warm training run with my friend Gemma.

Mud Hero – I was given the opportunity to race this so I did it for fun. I participated in the Ultra 10 KM challenge and ended up being in the top 5 and first female OA. One of the things I like about Mud Hero is that it is not competitive and meant to just be for fun – it was awesome to be out there playing in the mud and having a good time. I recommend trying one if you haven’t yet.

Thoughts

Physically – I recovered well from Muskoka 70.3 and started rebuilding strength towards racing Raid International Gaspesie in September. August was a month of high volume and moderate intensity and my body handled it beautifully. I did a lot of tempo work and high volume weeks to prepare for my September endurance events.

Psychologically – I snapped out of my funk from last month and took it on, full steam ahead. It was a great month of steady progress both physically and mentally. I was proud that I took my easy days truly easy and it is translating into confidence in my September events.

Gear:

I used the Polar V800 to track all of my track work, outdoor cycles and runs this month. I used the Polar cadence sensor to help with my indoor training ride. I used the Polar A360 to track all my strength workouts. I just received brand new Polar Power pedals and will be trying them out on my bike over the next number of weeks.

I did my half marathon in my New Balance Zantes and my trail run in my New Balance Hierros.

I am a Performance Project athlete under the coaching of Dave Galloway.

For September

It’s strange to be writing this so late as the main goal I had has already passed. I have chosen to take a break from coaching for the month. I began September with Raid International Gaspesie, followed up by a week of recovery, followed by the Ragnar Ultra Relay, followed by a week of recovery. I told my coach that seeing workouts loaded in my Training Peaks platform would make it harder for me to just listen to my body and rest when I need it so we decided to do a month of no formalised plans. I am resting as I need, racing hard when it’s time and enjoying the mental break.