GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —
It’s week five of training for the Grand Rapids Triathlon, and brick workouts were officially introduced into the schedule.
Laura Hartman and Shanna Grove are on the cusp of the halfway point and are really feeling the burn.
RELATED: Training for a Triathlon: Nutrition
They share their thoughts below.
Here’s Laura's update first:
"Oh boy! We are nearly halfway done with training and it is getting intense! We have gotten into the “build phase” of the training, which is an increase in intensity to build strength and endurance. Let me tell you, I am exhausted from the week. I swam my first 1000-meter distance and had my first brick workout (bike followed by run) and I lived to tell the tale. The next few weeks will be a challenge.
"Swimming continues to be the most challenging workout. I feel out of breath after 50 meters and need to stop too often to get several good breaths in, which is NOT a luxury I’ll have in the open waters of the Thornapple River on race day! Shanna has had the same problem, so we spoke with Kari Stuart, our coach to get some advice. The advice she gave -- just keep swimming. Switch to breaststroke or sidestroke but keep going. It’s the best way to push yourself and get comfortable with the distance.
"I tried that, plus a few other new things this week. First, my swim technique still needs work. I’ve been experimenting with how often I breathe and how I exhale, plus reminding myself to lengthen my stroke and make less work for myself. After 500 or so meters playing with the pull-buoy, I FINALLY think I found my stride: breathe every third stroke and exhale through my nose. Also, pushing myself to keep going and avoid multiple rests is helping me get stronger.
"I also tried a gel pack (GU Energy gel in s’more flavor – delicious) for my brick workout! I love the boost of energy I got and found the brick workout not only manageable, but kind of enjoyable (never thought I’d say that!). If you’re with us in the training, now is the perfect time to try nutrition and see how it works for you. Remember to let me know what you like!
"Kari also reassured Shanna and me that at this point, we could finish the triathlon. It might not be perfect or even very pretty, but it can be done. I’m going to remind myself of that thought as these next few weeks get tougher and tougher. To all my triathlon friends, just keep swimming (and biking and running)!"
Here’s what Shanna had to say:
"At this point, I’m in a perpetual state of soreness -- but totally in a good way! The workouts are becoming increasingly difficult, and the pressure of tri day getting closer and closer is starting to set in. With that said, the recent warm weather has put me in an optimistic mood, and I have been feeling more and more motivated.
"Swimming is still my biggest struggle (big surprise there (insert eye-roll emoji)). I can feel myself gradually improving, but it’s not even close to enough. I’m hard on myself, and I know I have time, but it’s somewhat stressful thinking about how far I still have yet to come in this area. At the pool this week I tried my best to not take breaks, after all, there's no clinging onto the edge of the pool during tri day (or using a noodle, which is more my style). I was discouraged when I discovered I can really only swim 50 meters before needing to catch my breath. More than anything, I’m going to focus on mastering my breathing in the coming weeks. That, and trying my best not to stop (did Dory’s ‘just keep swimming’ pop into your head just then? Because me too). I am lucky to have a super sweet retired swim coach at the pool who offers me tips on a regular basis. And thankfully we have another swim lesson coming up soon with coach Erin, too -- I am really needing to get the hang of this, pronto!
"I have yet to venture outside with the road bike or even on a run (using the treadmill and bike trainer after work is just easier), but I’m hoping to get out this weekend with the beautiful weather. One thing Kari recently mentioned is music. I’ve been loving jamming out while I train (typically the ‘Beast Mode’ playlist on Spotify - ha!) but we are not allowed to listen to music on race day (bummer, I know). So, I’m going to try to go without and get outside more to just enjoy the sounds of the great outdoors.
"Let’s channel this anxiousness and anxiety about race day into fulfilling workouts :)"
Check out past blogs from Laura and Shanna:
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