Let me see, it is November 23rd 2011 and my big race is on August 26th 2012. So that is 7(days left in November)+31(days in December)+31(days in January)+29(days in February(its leap year))+31(March)+30(April)+31(May)+30(June)+31(July)+26(days in August 26th)=
276
Two hundred and seventy six days until Ironman Louisville (that is assuming I added correctly). 276 days is a long time to focus and look ahead. It is hard to to envision that far ahead. There is a lot going on between now and then. Christmas, New Years, college football bowl games to name a few. Not to mention work and other family commitments and all the other things that come my way.
Usually when something is big, you address it by breaking it into smaller pieces. These pieces present achievable goals and milestones. So how do you break down 276 days of training? Believe it or not there is research on this very subject.
The basic phases are: Base, Build, Peak and Taper. These may be presented in slightly different names. In base phase overall cardio is the main goal. So long slow workouts are the norm. In the build phase speed and power. Peak; maintain fitness. Finally taper, rest and re energize.
The timing on these vary depending on the race you are preparing for. Usually the base is the longest followed by the build then the peak and finally the taper. So since I am 200 + days from my race I assume that I am in the base phase.
Regardless, it will take some doing over the next couple of weeks to focus. Then again why should I? Given the time frame would it do any good to focus intensely on the race. Maybe it would be better to focus on the present and take care of the tasks at hand. The training equivalent of watching your pennies and letting the dollars look after themselves.
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