Personal Trainer Day 2

[mommelisa]

Well, in an effort to be more "rounded" in my training, my coach suggested I should be doing weight training twice a week. Ugh. I haven't worked out in the gym in so long, its crazy. I used to, but in all reality, I never saw much difference so I just quit.

My dh and I joined a gym this past January (like 90% of the New Years resolutioners) and so I decided to try working out with one of their personal trainers once per week. I figured if I did that, I could then do once per week on my own and all would be good.

Well, last Tuesday was my first PT session with my new trainer, Tim. Who, btw, is half my age. I told him my goal was really to work on agility, stability and strength and to most importantly, supplement my tri training. Well, the first day was agony! Can I say that louder? AGONY! We were doing lunges and these jumping around things and using that bosu ball. Seriously, at one point I thought I was either going to have a heart attack or throw up, maybe both. How in the world can that stuff be so hard? I can go out and run 20 miles at a time, but I can't jump around for 30 seconds???

Well, today, I went back for more torture and - lo and behold - it wasn't so bad!! Tim said that he really likes working with endurance type athletes because they come along very quickly. But one week? Maybe he was easier on me this week - whatever it was, I'll take it. Now if I can just get my hiney in there the second time on my own!

[yellow]

I'm a big believer in supplemental training like this. For me, the weight training really helps with muscle endurance. I did a lot of weight training before last season and was amazed at the difference in how I felt on the bike. Plus...the more muscle you have the more calories you burn!

I haven't done as much lower body weight training this year but am still doing light upper body to supplement my other lower-body intensive non-biking activities. I had my first century on Sat and was happy with my fitness, though I am not as strong as I was last year at this time. And I started doing plyometrics (the "jumping around" stuff) only about a month ago (but without the ball...I'm not there yet), so I can't report on that yet. It sure works my butt, though. I know what you mean about feeling like you're going to have a heart attack!

Keep it up. Make sure you report back!

[tprevost]

Hey Melisa Great Job!!!

I did some work with a personal trainer a few years ago and I have to say that the work really helped me as much mentally as physically! I have always been kinda wimpy about pushing my limits BUT, working with this trainer showed me how far I could really push myself... as it sounds like you are discovering as well! I am probably still pretty wimpy but much less so than I used to be!

I'll be anxious to see what you think as far as any improvements in the tri workouts!

Also, I'd love to hear about your coach... why did you get one? what does he/she do, etc. etc. etc. Any info would be appreciated!

Tracy

[mommelisa]

I think the trainer is going to help. Today I'm a little sore - mostly in my glutes (go figure!!) and my quads. I think that's from the step ups and the lunges.

I don't know if it is really too soon to tell a difference, or whether its a cumulative improvement based on all the other stuff I'm doing, but I did notice that I was a lot less tired yesterday during my bike session on the trainer when I was out of the saddle. I felt stronger and didn't feel like I was collapsing into my arms/wrists as much. Its all good!

Tracy - as far as my coach... I used to have a company that made my running schedule when I was training for marathons. They sort of branched out into triathlons at the same time that I did. I had them coach me for awhile, but to be honest, they were learning along side of me, and I didn't feel as if I was getting my money's worth, if you know what I mean. I didn't want to be paying to be their guinea pig. I went to camp this past summer with my daughter - it was a hiking/biking/running/etc. camp. We had a blast and I met a woman there who'd completed a number of Ironman distance events as well as a whole bunch of other stuff. After camp, I kept in touch with her and realized that she coaches people for a living, besides being a pro-athlete. We discussed my goals and my fitness level, etc, and she started coaching me in September. She provides me with a set workout each week - all disciplines including strength training. She also analyzes my food logs periodically, to make sure I'm on the right track nutritionally. When I decided to buy a tribike, I consulted her on brands. She doesn't live by me, so can be hard for some people, but we do all of our correspondence via email and phone, which works really well for me. She coached me through my 1/2 IM in November - which was awesome - and she's coaching me to IMFL.

I think a coach really can help if you aren't sure what/how much to do each day and you'd like guidance and support. She's really helped me to focus and work smarter and more efficiently. One of the most important things, though, is finding a coach that shares your philosophy regarding all aspects of your training, i.e, how much training time, how much off time you need, training principles (such as heart rate training, etc), nutrition, etc.

- Melisa

[mommelisa]

Well, today was my fourth training session with Tim, the torture guy, and I had to share what he said to me today.

We started the workout and he said... you've really leaned out. What? Can you REPEAT? Can I turn on my tape recorder so I can replay that over and over again when I'm feeling crappy? Its a funny compliment, but it felt good, like the past 4 weeks of adding in the strength training has actually helped. Maybe he was taking credit!! lol!

All in all, I really have noticed a difference with the strength stuff. I'm feeling a lot more steady and confident on my bike and my runs have been great. I'm really pleased. Now if I could just stretch more... Its always something, isn't it??

[tprevost]

Hey Melisa,

It sounds like this personal trainer thing is going very well for you! Plus, the whole "leaning out" thing would have me back there every chance I got!

You are motivating me to get to the gym. I've been holding off because my range of motion is terrible (don't ever break your arm! UGH!) but am thinking I may try some really light weights with my splint on and see how that goes... a lot of really light reps is definately better than nothing!

In my earlier life, I was doing quite a bit of riding and then started doing some upper body work. The difference was immediate - I guess when my weak upper bod got tired, it sapped the energy out of the rest of my body! I also saw good improvement in my road riding when I did Mtn biking too (it worked well for developing my quad strength). I'm guessing you are WAY ahead of me on this front however (knowledge, quad strength, etc. )

I'm going to get on my new bike for the first time tomorrow - totally terrified what a goober!

Keep up the good work; you are awesome!

Tracy

ps. does Tim know his nickname???

[KSH]

Sounds like it is working out great for you!

I had signed up for 5 sessions... and only got 2 in before I got sick for 3 weeks, then I started my 10-week tri training program... and I twisted my ankle.

I have signed up for another 10-week tri training program, and I don't have time to make it to the gym, as I would rather be riding my bike.

So, I finally called and told my trainer I would probably just have to forfeit my sessions. I got 5, 30-minute sessions for $50, so... I will just have to eat the cost.

[mommelisa]

does Tim know his nickname???

LOL! I hope not.

I invited a friend of mine to share him on Tuesday mornings, so I don't really say much during the session except stuff like "what's next" and "how many??" She is more of the comic relief during the workout. She has him now on Thursdays too. She's getting ready to go to Hawaii for vacation with her family and she wants to be in "bikini shape". She's having a hard time losing the weight she thinks she needs to lose, so he had her charting her food and times when she ate, along with the other exercise she was doing. He thinks she's doing too much cardio at the wrong intensity level and actually not eating enough. Its interesting to watch what he is doing with her because it is so different than what he is doing with me, since our goals are so different. I guess the "one size does NOT fit all" thing holds true with Tim because he definitely has different plans for each of us.

I'm really excited by the progress. Get in there Tracy - you'll see an improvement really quickly. I think for multisport athletes, its really important, too, because you're doing so many different things to your body, it needs to have a firm base. Your core is so important.

Let us know how the bike ride went!!

[tprevost]

The bike ride was good! I'm a little stretched out on the bike so I made an appt for a fitting on Monday - I need a shorter stem. It is amazing how different this bike is from the touring bike I've been riding... holy cow! I did a solid 25 miles and will probably jump up to 35-40 next week with a/some shorter one(s) between now and then. I need to ramp up the mileage and worry about adding other stuff in later!

We have a full gym in our garage so tomorrow I am going to officially start my weight training. I'll definately go pretty easy at first but I could tell on today's ride that some upper body strength training would be a good thing

Personal trainers are pretty cool! I'll be interested in how things work out for your friend as well. I'm doing weight watchers right now and I do actually do better on the weeks that I go over my 'limit' than I do on weeks where I stay way under.... GOOD, I love food!!!

You are really lucky that you found such a good fit with Tim so quickly. I know a few people who've had to try several trainers before they found one that had the same/similar philosophies as they did! A bit OT, but there's a Chiropractor in Scottsdale who I went to for a while that used to work on some major athletes (lots of autographed pics etc. on the walls). He was actually a great source of tips/tricks (he was quite the god/adonis himself ) in regards to recovery etc. I would go in there just to look at him though....

Keep us posted on the progress, it seems its coming quickly!

Trac'