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June 25, 2005
Tri Clinic
I am truly exhausted. This morning I woke up at 5 (b/c I had gone to bed at 9) and did some core stuff, googled “how to get off quick release bike tires” and “opening bike brakes” so I could bring my tire with me, and packed all of my stuff for today. I was at the tri clinic by 8:30.
At first I was a bit bored b/c they went over a lot of things that Leilani and I already know from running: nutrition, periodization, the importance of recovery, and weight training. I have things to learn about EACH of things, but there wasn’t much detail, just a mention of each topic and us being told to incorporate it into our training. Then we did the running portion of the clinic (which Leilani could have taught) and I don’t feel like I really benefited from that portion either. They mentioned we should have a long run, a speed workout, etc.-all the usual stuff. I didn’t really understand what they were trying to say about cadence and kicking your legs up higher in the back. I’m not sure if we just didn’t have enough time to go over it in detail, if they didn't really understand it, or if it’s me and my lack of understanding (definitely a possibility), but I don’t plan to change my form based on this clinic. I don't blame the clinic people though for any dissatisfaction-they advertised an overview of tris and Leilani and I happen to have experience in this sport.
The swimming and biking portion were more useful. Leilani and I changed a bike tire together (which she will be testing out tomorrow on her ride!). What is interesting is our instructors (who are national and international triathletes) hate changing tires too and don’t feel very confident at it. They bemoaned the fact that the instructor who usually teaches that portion of the clinic was not there. That makes me feel like less of a moron for not (formerly) being able to change a tire and okay with the fact that I still might have problems. I also learned some new swimming drills and we practiced doing a mass start with everyone kicking and hitting each other so that was interesting.
For me, the best part of the clinic was the instructors talking us through a race, including before the race, the transitions, what to wear, all of the equipment you need, and what rules to be aware of (your helmet needs to be on and buckled at all times when you are bike riding and you can’t get on your bike while still in the transition area). I definitely might have broken the latter rule on race day if I didn’t know that. I decided what really sucks about triathlons is you can train and train and train-and if you get a flat tire or your bike breaks-you’re out of luck.
On the way back from the clinic I stopped somewhere new (with NO hills!) and ran for 30 minutes. It was 85 degrees and humid. It was really hard and I was going really slowly. At the end I found a HOT bottle of water in my car and drank that down. It was disgusting. My knee feels weird in the same spot as it did during the race last week-normally nothing to worry about except at the moment I am very anxious about my knees. I am icing and naproxening and will take it easy and watch it.
I must continue rehydrating and collapse into bed. I really am tired :) Good night all.
Posted by Audrey at June 25, 2005 09:15 PM
Comments
Yeah, changing form can be a very big deal. I've spent alot of time changing mine and I know Mark and Aaron have too. If you have problems in your form that are giving you injuries, its something to look into. If you have a race coming up, changes in your form now can slow you down as you learn to adapt. In the long term, you will run better, but short term is work and slower running.
I love reading about your tri training. Almost makes me want to give it a shot. Need a new bike and to learn how to swim.
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at June 25, 2005 11:23 PM