Polar Performance Report: June 2016
At this point, things could only go wrong. I am getting SO READY to get on my very first half ironman race course and see what I can do!
SPORTS TRACKED: Cycling, Running, Swimming, Strength, Mountain biking
RUN STATS: 179 KM
Run Elevation: 1,176 M
Run Hours: 14
Rest Days: 1
Longest Run: 21 km on Leslie Street Spit in Toronto, ON
Shortest Run: 4.0 KM brick run
Most enjoyable training run: I had SO many! It was amazing to be back to running this month in full health. I think my favourite was a 19 km long run workout on some hills after a rainy day where I was doing 6 x 8 minute repeats at 70.3 pace. I knew I was back and ready for the race and it was the best feeling!
New/interesting places I trained: Conestogo Lake Conservation Area, ON, Lake Placid, NY
Swim: 26,208 m
Cycling KM: 620 km – One of my favourite rides was climbing up to the top of Whiteside Mountain at the triathlon training camp!
Mountain Biking KM: 82 km
Strength workouts: 3. I went light on the strength training because volume was high.
Cross Training: 4 hours. I did an elliptical session when I felt like my shin may still be an issue, an hour of bouldering and 1.5 hours of hot yoga.
RACES
Phlox Trail 10 KM –
I was talked into this one as a last minute sign up the day of the race. (Which seems to be a trend – I did the same at a race this past weekend!)
I knew I was just coming back from shin issues so I tried not to push it and used it as a tempo run, not a race. It was a GORGEOUS race and it was good to get in another trail run this year. I took it easy and enjoyed the course and ended up placing fourth overall and first female. I ended up irritating my shin splints a bit so I took about a week off running after this, but I tested it out with a few spicy workouts this month and it is safe to say I am completely back and ready to rock the rest of my races this year!
Thoughts:
It was amazing to get back to some serious running this month. Although I am embracing the multisport life, running will always have my heart and I always feel like something vital is missing when I can’t run.
I took this month cautiously in terms of running. Each workout, I paid attention to how I was feeling and if I felt anything, I took more time off. I think it is safe to say this is finally behind me and I am so relieved. I did not lose much run fitness because of cross training and because I stopped running before I was injured.
My biggest breakthrough was on the road bike. The training camp did wonders for my strength and ability in terms of smooth pedalling and strong hill climbing. I feel like a little rocket every time I hop on my bike and I am excited to see how this will translate on the Muskoka course!
My second biggest breakthrough was in open water swimming. I spent a lot of time in open water and in a wet suit this month and I learned how to smoothly sight and how to move competitors out of my path without interrupting their swim stroke.
My third biggest break through was in mountain biking. I have been working SO HARD on my technical skills and there was a ride right after my training camp where we attacked a technical trail system and the gentlemen I was riding with didn’t need to wait for me and asked “WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?!” My confidence is climbing and I am feeling more and more ready for RAID this fall.
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.
My Polar V800 strap is starting to rip but my watch is still covered under warranty so I have ordered a new one. I also am receiving a speed sensor to track milage on my indoor trainer. I will write a review on this once I have tested it out.
I am a Performance Project athlete under the coaching of Dave Galloway.
For July:
It’s TAPER TIME! I have lightened up on volume and intensity and this week, I am just doing some light activations to prime my body before the race. As I mentioned last month, I went MIA socially to prepare so I am climbing back out of that and focusing on some quality time with family and friends. Triathlons can be very selfish from the sheer amount of time you need to commit to compete well and I am determine to keep that balance in my life.
The week after the race, I am heading to an adventure racing training camp to continue to work on my navigation, technical mountain biking and paddling skills.
After that, I am competing in the Angus Glen 5 miler and the H+P Time Trial to kick the speed back into my legs for my August half marathon. (H+P is my run club).
I will be completing the month with a new-to-me type of race. More details soon, but the rest of the month will be incorporating some speed back into my training as well as reintegrating more strength training.
Let’s DO this!
