What are you going to do differently for next season?

[roadie gal]

This year I trained for my HIM basically without a plan except to be able to do each distance before the race. I managed to do pretty well, but I suffered on the bike and the run. I'd like to another HIM next year. So I'm planning on working up to longer bike rides, in the range of 70-80 miles, so I don't bonk at 45. I'd also like to do at least 12 mile runs a few times rather than just once. I may also try *again* to find a swim coach in this area.

What are you going to do differently in your training for next season? Or for those of you downunder who are just starting your season what did you do differently for this year?

[Veronica]

I'm not going to spend three weeks hacking up a lung, six weeks before my HIM.

More long runs, more bricks. Even doing one brick would be more than I did this year. If I can get consistent with sub ten minute runs, I'll spend some time swimming. This year, I didn't swim hardly at all before my race. I think I swam twice in the eight months preceding my HIM, for a total of 4,000 yards. I guess I should be thankful I'm a good swimmer, but I think running is so much more important in tri and I can't help wishing I was a more gifted runner. Okay, truly I'd like to be gifted in all areas.

Veronica

[Tri Girl]

train...

like I should and not like it's an afterthought.


We're hiking the Grand Canyon and doing Pikes Peak Ascent (hopefully if we get in) so I'll be doing lots of climbing and hiking and probably less running/biking. I'm also going to be commuting as much as I can during the week.

[tygab]

I'm going to actually have a season!
I was busy being pregnant this year... I would like to do at least one oly and some sprints, seeing what time permits.

[Susan Otcenas]

I hired a coach!

[HillSlugger]

be really careful with the running so I don't end up injured again; put off plans for an Oly until 2011.

[sgf726]

Improve my swimming and do an Olympic Distance Tri. Hired a coach to help teach me how to swim correctly.

[katluvr]

Get back to swimming and REALLY figure it out. Maybe private lessons.
More OW time.
Actually train w/ all three disciplines (I only worked on the swimming last time)
Do a brick--or 2--or 3.
Oh yeah...sign up for that Tri.

[NbyNW]

I spent too much time dealing with asthma and life transitions this year. I'm ready to put that behind me!

I want to focus on swimming form and running this winter if I can find a good indoor track or figure out how to run when it's cold outside (cold air is an asthma trigger)

Maybe try to do two or three sprints next year.

[kacie tri-ing]

Train smart, listen to my coach when he advises me to take it easy, and an Ironman!!!

[tribogota]

Bring my own bike to the races...and forget about trying to rent or borrow one that falls apart in the middle of the race.

but seriously, RUN MORE.
Am going to try to do one 20k per month

[spindizzy]

Not so much do differently but goals I have:

1. Not be afraid to "blow-up." Need to dig really deep and find my breaking point.
2. Find out what I can tolerate nutrition-wise 1 hour before a race. My breakfast is fine. But I need to have something in the hour before I race - I need to determine that. (morning start races - which most of them are)
3. Bring up my bike speed.
4. Improve my run endurance.
5. Maintain my upper body strength over the summer

..a few PBs and a first place podium would be sweet......

[Sandy Borthick]

...for which I will use Joe Friel's Triathlon Training Bible... I've been road bike riding for fun & fitness since 2002, taking a multi-day tour or two for a week or two each year, and have been successful building up to those -- but now I want more challenge! SO this May I am doing a sprint distance triathlon!

I haven't run since I was a child, and I'm 57 now, so I have a ways to go! I was stunned how little of my cycling translated to running -- I mean I was out of breath after only 20 SECONDS. Now I am 6 weeks into it (every other day only 3-4 days/week) and have built up to 240 SECONDS . I got Chi Running by Danny Dreyer and am trying to learn that way. Also, I have only been swimming the breast and side strokes for lo these many years, so I got Terry Laughlin's DVD to learn his crawl technique.

I love Team Estrogen -- so encouraging and inspiring!
happy season planning to all of you!
Sandy

[Bike Chick]

Sandy, My hat's off to you, girl! I did my first sprint 2 years ago and hadn't gotten back in the water since. I'm swimming again due to a stress fracture in my foot from running and loving it. I'm going to train for another tri in May as well. I had fun doing it and think you will too. BTW, how are you doing with the Chi Running? My podiatrist recommended it to me but I just can't get into the book.

[Bike Chick]

Run more..........I worked so hard on the swim last time that I neglected the run. I plan to get in some 5k and 10k runs beforehand.