I climb smoothly and effortlessly – like a monkey
Alternatively, I could easily have titled this blog post: “How to get faster, stronger, smoother, etc…without training any harder.” Affirmations (like the title of this blog post) are positive statements of what you want to happen, but stated as if it already has happened. They are a mental training tool to build self-confidence, which, as research consistently finds, leads to success. I recently took up indoor sport climbing as an alternative to my regular exercise diet of swim, bike and run. I enjoy the challenge of learning a new sport from scratch. The quality of...
Read MoreStrength Training for Triathletes: Yes or No?
One of my clients asked me about strength training this week: I have been doing these exercises with max weight at about 6-8 reps to build power this off season: Hip Abductors Leg Press Squats Calf raises Knee extension Hamstrings What are your thoughts and suggestions around these leg exercises? Should I not be doing these or is it too much? I responded: Those are good overall leg strength exercises. I would also include adductors (opposing motion to abductors). I like squats better than leg presses because you have to stabilize your body more vs. just following the line of motion of...
Read MorePracticing a Triathlon Mass Swim Start
Practicing a mass swim start in the pool is a great drill to practice if you have any race day anxiety about mass swim starts. How to do it? Simple: find a few friends, clear a few lanes and go! Check out the ladies of the April 2009 She Does Tri Camp at the Warrenton Aquatics and Recreation Facility in Warrenton, VA: By practicing close up swimming in the safe environment of the pool, you will become more comfortable in mass starts in open water on race day. Live life richly and boldly! David —- David B. Glover Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine © 2009 David B. Glover ...
Read MoreWinter Training for Triathletes
Winter brings two challenges – colder temperatures and shorter days. Both can drive an athlete to workout inside on a bike trainer and a treadmill, but I do not think that this needs to be the case all of the time. Sure, if there’s a blizzard outside; the sidewalks and roads are icy; and visibility is 0%; ride your trainer inside or go for a swim instead. If the conditions are not too bad, exercising in cold weather can be a positive experience. At the very least, the bike trail will not be crowded and your scenery will change. Plus, I like to think that it toughens me up...
Read MoreTraining in the “Off Season”…or perhaps “Transition Season”
The “Off season” – what I define as the time period from when one triathlon racing season ends to the next year’s season begins – is inappropriately named. “How so?” you may ask. Because there truly is no season of doing “nothing” which is what the name “off season” implies. Yes, there should be some off time of doing much of nothing but probably not more than a few weeks. I think a better term might be the “Transition Season.” The Transition Season is about transition. It’s about winding down one season...
Read MoreNavy SEAL PT at USNA
Since my triathlon racing season is now over for the year, I’ve been struggling to think of something interesting to write about. A recent email from a former company mate at the Naval Academy (Stew Smith) stirred up memories of SEAL PT at USNA. When I was a Plebe (freshman) at USNA, Stew was in his second class (junior) year. Stew’s class of ’91 was responsible for “training” my class of ’93. Training included professional knowledge as well as physical training. If you have any pre-conceptions of what a Navy SEAL looks like, Stew probably fits the...
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