Week 1 - Training

So Sunday was the last day of week 1 training. Even though I've been doing a lot of general training over the past 8 weeks including a ton of core and strength training, this was the first week under a strict regimented tri program. Right now most of the focus is on swimming and running although I've kept up with my own strength and core training. What I'm now trying to do is split my time in the gym to twice per day, ealry morning and then around 8pm. So far everything is holding up well apart from 4 ribs that are out of place in my upper back but thats a long term injury that is being worked on so hopefully we can fix it over the next few months.

The most challenging item right now is toning down the training and not going all out close to my max heart rate. The logic is that you need to slowly build your body's ability to deter the release of lactic acid whihc will cause your body to fail and go through massive cramps.

On the nutrition side I'm tryining to eat 4-5 smaller meals per day and I have to start increasing my water intake. I'll likely have to go on Potassium and magnesium supplements to prevent cramps that are starting to occur in the arch of my feet and abdomen. In terms of food I'm consuming about 120 grams of protein per day with is a little more than the suggested amount for my weight. However I tend to lose muscle mass quickly so i've been doing more weights which requires more protein and amino acids to repair muscle fibers. In addition I need to increase the amount of fat in my diet espepcailly as the training increases.

Witihin the next couplke of weeks I'll be having a lactic acid threshold test and a V02 test which will act as a guide to set my heart rate targets within 5 training zones for the next 6 months. Right now the goal is just to get on the bike more and get the needed stamina in my legs.

So after 1 week and some minor tweaks things seem to be right on track although soon I'll be giving up more and more weekends for training. So 1 week down and 25 more to go......