March 2014: Completed my first multi-sport and have now returned to a run-focused training plan/schedule.
Yep, I can now say I have tried multi-sport – a duathlon, to be specific. Not just “tried,” I’m hooked…though I am not planning on doing any others in 2014. I thought about doing others this year; but, at this point, I have too many other running-focused goals set for 2014 to insert training for duathlons and definitely don’t have time for triathlon training. I will certainly be back for the 2015 South Bay DU and possibly give triathlon a go.
This month, I also decided on the rest of my 2014 schedule. I’ll share that in a subsequent post, but it’s gonna be a fun and challenging 2014!
No biz trips this past month – WooHoo!
HIGH/LOW:
- HIGH: First multisport! More to follow for sure!
- LOW: Took a spill/tip on my bike, which bothered me for a few weeks and affected my run on the Livermore Half Marathon.
As far as new equipment & such:
- HydraPak Softflask. Last month, I picked up a Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 2.0 and really like it. The stock UD bottles are OK, but I’d read where people have used a few alternatives: whether other brands of bottles or soft/bladder-type bottles. I gave my 20 oz. Amphipod bottles a try on a run and liked them better than the UD stock ones – mainly because they lay flat against my chest. I decided to give the Softflasks a try and picked up a pair at REI with my annual dividend credit. The Softflask’s capacity is less than the stock UD bottles (I went with the 500ML size since they would fit better in the vest;) but, since most of my runs/races are supported, that should not be an issue. I actually like the softflasks best, though it took a bit to get used to them on the vest and how to place them in the vest pouches as I drink liquid. They solve the “sloshing” aspect when compared with standard bottles, but they still make a rubbing noise on the vest as you move. That wasn’t a huge deal and one that is solved by cinching the bottle tighter in the vest pouch. They are certainly more comfortable when used on the vest since they conform to my body. More to follow on them as I use them during my longer training runs.
Training Program(s):
- After completing the South Bay Duathlon, I returned to a run-focused training plan – my happy place! Actually, since I’ve planned my race schedule through the end of the year, I went ahead and planned my training schedule as well. I switched things up a bit, swapping my Monday ride day with the Tuesday run day; just so I am doing a longer weekday run the day after my weekly long run (I read about training on tired legs in prep for longer distances.) So, on a standard week, the program schedule is:
- MON: 10 mile run
- TUE: 20 mile bike
- WED-FRI: 5-10 mile runs
- SAT: REST!
- SUN: Long Run – 12-26 miles
whitespace!
Race/Ride Reports:
GIDDY-UP!
DENNARR(dot)COM 