A Year of Training in Four Pretty Bar Charts

It's no secret that I enjoy numbers, graphs, charts, and statistics. (Never mind my counting impairment in the gym and pool). Given that, I thought I'd share a snapshot of my training year from Training Peaks. We all know these numbers are only one side of the story - they don't reveal the quality, the intervals, the time trials, the drills, and the specific intents (or the sweating, groaning, or occasional cursing). The graphs are fun because every peak, valley, and trend line has a specific meaning to me.

It's human nature to compare, but training is highly individual so what works for me, my life situation, and my goals is probably not ideal for others. Just getting out there and doing anything physical that you enjoy, for any amount of time, is what matters. I do less than a lot of triathletes, maybe more than some, so no comparing!!

I give Coach Jim tremendous credit for getting the absolute most out of me in the most efficient way for my time-crunched life. These charts represent close to 400 workouts, each one tailored to my needs, abilities, and ever-changing physical and mental (!) state. (multiply this times all his athletes, that's a head-spinner). I cannot imagine navigating this sport without his direction, accountability, and feedback. So I give you the year in training, to go along with the year in pictures!

• Swim - 83 hours
• Bike - 2044 miles in 131 hours
• Run - 680 miles in 103 hours
• Lift - not included in the chart but approx 130 hours (directed by Kurt Weidner)

This is total hours spent each week on swim/bike/run

Miles per week

My need for speed has limited domains

The kids and I went skiing yesterday (in 50+ degree temps) and I was laughing as I realized the irony of delivering my usual pitch at the rental counter:  

Give me the shortest, slowest skis I can have without embarrassing myself or my kids.
Oh, and I want the ones with sandpaper bottoms. 

Then I headed down the bunny slopes in the permanent snowplow position.  (As Spencer would point out later, it's a 'glute sport'. Indeed!) My ability to snowplow, poles in one hand, was useful as the kids' personal skiing videographer, iPhone in hand.

I love to swim, bike, and run fast, but that may be the limits of it.  I will bike down these mountain roads in aero position as fast I can go, eyes watering, giddy with excitement. But I like my skiing slow and controlled, and my limbs intact. And in thinking about it, I realize I drive slowly too...especially if it's dark or I'm tired. I'm always getting passed on the highways. I just don't feel rushed.

No need for speed. Times like this with the kids are definitely meant to be savored, slowly!

This recluse swam, biked, and ran with others!

It's no secret that I treasure the quiet solitude and freedom of training solo. That, coupled with the over-scheduled life of this working mom, it's pretty rare for me to meet up with others to train.  The last week and a half has been quite a departure and I have to say I have enjoyed the change!

Last week I headed out for a bike ride with my friends and fellow One on One Endurance athletes Jennifer and Tanya and enjoyed catching up with them while pedaling along the rolling hills. Plus it was Jennifer's birthday!! I'm not one to meet out for lunch or coffee (or drinks) much, so this was perfect!

Yesterday I met my friends Michaela and Shannon (who I interviewed earlier in the year) at 5:30 am in the 32 degree rainy darkness for an 11-mile run. The time just flew by and with all the conversation we each finished up hungry and motivated for the 2012 race season.

me, Shannon, and Michaela

Today I met my friend Krista (my co-sufferer at the triathlon in 40 degree temps) and her friend Steven for a swim. We swam a pyramid (50s to 250, then again 250 down to 50) and the brief chats between sets kept it relaxed and enjoyable. It also gave me time to marvel at how Steven can be so fast yet it looks like he's hardly making an effort?!

Tomorrow I'm heading out with Tanya and John for another bike ride. It will be the maiden road voyage for John's new tri bike!

After this week, it's back to work and back to recluse mode!!

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Incidentally, I appreciate the input on race wheels I have received so far. One of my favorite podcasts, Endurance Planet, was soliciting story ideas so I requested a feature on wheels!  They are so responsive. If you haven't given this podcast a listen, I'd highly recommend it.

Race wheels

When Robert asked what I wanted for Christmas this year, I replied, "nothing, let's just save the money." And I meant it. Gifts are really for the kids and the season is for reflection and the time together anyway. I confess I did buy three glass Pyrex bowls with lids to pack my meals and I wrapped them up for the family to give to me. I thought that was pretty exciting.

So I was surprised to get a homemade "Happy Christmas and Merry Birthday" card from my husband on Christmas Eve after the kids had gone to bed. It was the go-ahead to get carbon race wheels. (My birthday is in March) Actually, the best part of the present was knowing he made this card for me, taking the time to change font colors, figuring out how to print double-sided, and adding in race wheel clip art. He's such a left-brain electrical engineer guy so it was pretty touching that he tapped into his artistic side.

This is a major MAJOR indulgence and does create some internal conflict about the "necessity" of it. Yes, nearly everyone at USAT Nationals had race wheels, but I also kind of eschew the conventional. It feels a bit like giving in. But I will give in and see what happens. I can always re-sell them, right?

The other trouble is, I am not much of a shopper (remember the non-shopping way I got my bike?!) and it's hard to make sense of the carbon wheelset universe.

There are so many brands to choose from...Zipp, Hed, SRAM, DuraAce, Mavic, Reynolds, Easton, ENVE, and smaller up-and-coming shops too. I do know I want clinchers. That's all I know.

The budget isn't endless so I'd like to go with a slightly used set and I am a pretty good eBayer if necessary. But how will I know the hubs and structure are in good shape? There's no sense having an aero wheel if the hubs are grinding, right?

Luckily I have plenty of time to learn a few things, sort it out, and hope that the right set will roll into my path :-) and onto my bike. (Advice and ideas welcome. Please leave comments!!!)

And what did Robert get for Christmas you might ask? A robe, two shirts, and his annual Sudoku calendar. Not quite so exciting. Oh, and the gift of these two loving children, pictured on Christmas Eve!!!  Haha. Classic.

Ho, ho, ho Part II

We just returned from the Frosty 5K. It was a perfect crisp sunny morning and it seemed half the town had turned out for it!

Spencer ran a steady race with his Aunt Elisabeth. He is confident and unflappable and I can see him being a peaceful, solid long-distance trail runner some day.

Grant and his best friend William were off like a shot, I could hardly keep up with them for the first bit. William peeled off and then it was just Grant and I for 3.1 miles of jogging, some walking, a few random sprints, and one unexpected leap over a traffic cone. It's never dull running with a 9-year-old. The uphill finish gave me a chance to deliver perhaps my finest motivational speech about toughness!!! Merry Christmas, Grant (haha!).

Grant finished in dramatic fashion, collapsing in a heap on the muddy ground at the end. But he rebounded and a steaming cup of hot chocolate made everything right in his world again.

Not only was this a great morning of fellowship, but the race was a fundraiser for the family of officer Deriek Crouse who was fatally shot on our campus a few short weeks ago.

William, me, Grant, sister in law Elisabeth, Spencer, and Davis

The elite runners warming up

Best friends!

On my Santa run yesterday my friend Anne happened by so I had my own personal paparazzi!! Thanks to her for these pictures!!  Things are quiet around here so I'm going to buzz out for a quick bike ride. Hmmmm...I wonder if the Santa hat will fit on my bike helmet?!?!

Too much fun!!