The Big Question
THE BIG QUESTION:
How do you track and document your training for multisport?
Every week I count the number of empty water bottles, nutrition wrappers, dirty towels and sweaty articles of clothing that I extract from the floorboards of my truck. A good week fills more than one trash bag!
— Jesse Robinson, 37, The Woodlands, Texas
I use TrainingPeaks and their Performance Management Chart. It helps me visualize my current fitness and fatigue levels. With a little experience and coupled with how I feel, it’s provided me a more tangible means to watch for signs of overtraining and helps me properly taper.
— Kurt Braeckel, 36, Coronado, Calif.
In five years of competing in triathlons, this is the first year that I’ve ever kept a log of my training schedule and workouts. I keep all the details, including hints I’ve learned, race strategies and nutrition in “The Triathlete’s Training Diary,” with an introduction by Joe Friel. It has been invaluable, and I’ve had four podium visits this year!
— Will Green, 50, Alameda, Calif.
This season, I tried something new. I am tracking all of my workouts in a notebook, but I also add motivational clippings and quotes to the pages as I find them. The outside of the notebook is a collage of the logos of my races, finish photos from last year and other inspirational thoughts.
— Tonya Andruskiewicz, 39, Chanhassen, Minn.
I’m a sucker for data and numbers so I have created several self calculating spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel to track just about everything I can track complete with graphs and charts! I also use Garmin Connect to download and store maps and data to go along with my annual spreadsheets.
— Matt Kohl, 29, Kaukauna, Wis.
Simple, I keep track of training by working out every day and document my training by eating after a training session. That’s the easiest way of knowing that you’re training because you’ll be alive and kicking, not relying on your GPS watch and whatnot.
— Lawrence Doruelo, 21, Bloomingdale, Ill.
I use my iPhone for music, but also I use the voice memo app and dictate how I’m feeling at specific markers (i.e. “heart rate above target on mile 5, or legs feel like Jello!). When I get home, I have it all saved to write down and analyze how to build my next workout.
— Dave Fugate, 31, San Jose, Calif.
I develop a workout plan for the appropriate number of training weeks and post on a calendar. Each day I do the workout and just put an “x” over that day knowing I worked out according to schedule. If there is a change, I just record the change on the calendar and the reason for the change. If everything is planned ahead, there are no surprises and I know exactly what is required on a specific day.
— Ann Burr, 56, Palm Harbor, Fla.
Being an engineer and a baseball fan I cannot get enough data and statistics. I sometimes wonder if I took up endurance sports just so I’d have more data to analyze. I track my training with a GPS watch and record it on an overly complicated way too detailed spreadsheet just the way every triathlete does, right?
— Don Mack, 46, Limerick, Pa.
I track and document my training for triathlons on my blog,
tritrials.tumblr.com. I write a small blurb for every day I do a workout. I include what the workout was, how I was feeling and what I gained from it. I also write race recaps and other relevant training details, like nutrition, mental states and community.
— Sara Sanchez, 21, La Union, N.M.
Race-day finish time is as close as I’ve come to tracking progress. As a husband, a father of two and a businessman, training is ad hoc at best. Sometimes it’s sheer will that pushes a person to the finish line.
— Scott Harjo, 32, Las Vegas, Nev.
For me, accountability is huge. I will accomplish more if I know that my training partners are watching to see my progress. We use Garmin Connect and STRAVA to collect our data and post results.
— Brett Andrews, 46, Tulsa, Okla.
THE NEXT BIG QUESTION:
What multisport-related product is at the top of your wish list this holiday season?
Send your response (60 words or fewer) to
communications@usatriathlon.org by Nov. 15. Remember to include your name, age, hometown and put “Big Question” in the subject line. USA Triathlon may edit for spelling, grammar and content.
78 USA TRIATHLON FALL 2013
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