May Polar Performance Report
We are getting a little deep into June but I wanted to revisit May’s training.
May Training
Distance covered: 1132 KM
Training hours: 59
SWIMMING: 8 hrs.
RUNNING:
May was a fantastic month of running. I felt strong and consistent.
CYCLING
I added some longer cycles into the training in May which will translate into greater success at the Ironman.
New/Interesting Places I Trained
Ottawa/Gatineau area – I absolutely adored the cycling in Gatineau Park. It was so much fun doing a run the following day and cheering on racers doing the Ottawa Marathon.
Races
I don’t want to belabour this race, as I just spoke about it in the last post, but I truly was pleased with my performance in the Mississauga Half Marathon and ran a better time than I was expecting.
Gear/Training
I used the Polar V800 to track all of my track work, outdoor cycles and runs this month. On my bike, I use the Keo Power Bluetooth Smart Pedals and the heart rate strap to get accurate feedback for my work on the rides.
Last month, I rotated in my Vazee from New Balance and I am already almost at their life span. I am trying to decide which shoe I am going to race the Ironman in so I can start breaking them in and I am unsure which shoe I will bring in to replace them with. Any suggestions?
I am a Performance Project athlete under the coaching of Dave Galloway.
I have been using TrainerRoad software on the bike. For the longer rides though, I do prefer to be outside. I am planning on using them for my interval work over the summer.
Thoughts
PHYSICALLY
This is the month where things came together. The process is just jiving with my fitness and I am thrilled. I feel fit and strong on the bike, running is feeling easy at higher speeds than I am used to and the swim is about as good as my swim will be. That being said, I know I have some heavy weeks ahead of me, so I am focusing on lots of hydration, lots of sleep and keeping up with the calories. I am practising race day nutrition whenever possible.
MENTALLY
This was a strong month for mental strength. I was a little apprehensive going into the half marathon. I know fitness is fitness but I don’t feel fast training for the Ironman because everything is at a much lower zone than I am used to working. I was so shocked that I ran my best time so far and it provided a much needed mental boost to help propel me through the rest of the month’s training.
FOR JUNE
I had mentioned a mild case of shin splints in a post earlier. It continues to improve but I am taking no chances. Until it feels 100%, I am skipping runs if I think it is necessary. My focus is running a strong and healthy marathon at the end of the ironman and no training today is worth jeopardising that. I have a big training camp this weekend and the focus for that will be a strong run off the bike portion. Sometimes it frusterates me to not be indestructible as an athlete but I know I am not. I listen to my body and the ironman has been really good for helping me keep the big picture in mind.
Cycling is going very well. I am feeling very strong and absolutely loving it. To be very honest, I do look forward to riding my other bikes as well – whenever I see a beautiful gravel back road, I itch to take out my cross bike, but all in good time. Right now, I am focused on specificity and getting as many hours in on my time trial bike as possible. This month, I will be adding the race wheels to get a feel for them as well and practicing rolling dismounts and the like.
No huge break throughs in the pool this month. Just a lot of consistant, hard work with the hopes that it will translate into something big. This month, I am transitioning to outdoor swimming to practice sighting and race specific swimming.
How was your May training?
Hi Jessica,
Maybe you already explained it in the past but what does the different colors (green, yellow, red, grey) in your polar report mean?
Enjoy your training 🙂
Well done you!! Stong as ever, and lovely new places explored! DONUTS.