As Americans, most of us have ready access to food. Not just healthy food mind you, but fast...and fatty options. It's a struggle for athletes to choose the best options to fuel our body in our rat-race world.
How do you fuel your workouts? Are you careful to eat things that won't harm you or the environment? It's a fair question you know. Things now-a-days are not necessarily harmless, even though they're packaged as food.
In the past 9 months, I've begun a campaign to eat locally produced, healthy food. And I mean real food. Not stuff that's been sitting on a shelf for 6 months....or even would survive on a shelf for 6 months. It means shopping more frequently and it means going more places. I avoid the inner isles of the grocery store. I poll friends and scour Facebook for places where my local friends are buying local produce, eggs from free range chickens and meats from sources not in feedlots. It's a chore. Heck, by some standards, it's a job.
But I'm feeling better than ever. I'm feeling strong and I'm sleeping soundly. I still consume caffeine. (I love coffee.) My workouts are going well and I'm feeling the strength I've gained over recent months.
The other thing that I've found helpful is keeping a food diary. This is common amongst folks trying to lose weight, but how many of us do it, who are just trying to fuel our bodies efficiently?
What I've found is that I not only eliminate mindless snacking by documenting my consumption, but I'm much more careful about eating enough food on days where my training load is heavy. I definitely think this contributes to a stronger body, more complete recovery and consequently, better response to training stimulus.
I would recommend that anyone who is trying to improve performance try keeping a food diary. You'll be amazed at what you eat....or don't eat and you'll find it much easier to fine tune your training diet so that it aides in optimized performance.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Dreams
You have dreams don't you? I hope everyone does. I hope we all wish for something that is just slightly out of reach. Many of us wish for things that are way out of reach. For some, this is what helps them through mundane days. For others, it can be a harsh slap in the face of reality.
I find that I daydream about things that are totally within my grasp. When I'm at work, I dream about being at home, curled up in my big comfy chair with a good book. When I'm at home, I think about going shopping in a larger city. When I'm traveling I worry about the work I should be doing at home. A certain amount of restlessness is built into today's global society. In my opinion, a certain amount of restlessness is built into being American. But a certain amount of restlessness is innate to who we are....or are not.
As a population, it's a fair assumption that we triathletes (or most of us) are restless by nature. We strive for the excitement. We push the limits of our bodies and minds. It's been proven that most triathletes are Type 'A'. I interpret that to mean that we want more out of life...and sometimes that means we dream big.
It helps to look at the accomplishments of other athletes, and yes, sometimes we covet them. Whether it's your local hero or one of the pros, it's perfectly appropriate, and quite commendable to dream to accomplish some of what they have accomplished. Sometimes just reading an article or watching a race in TV sparks that thing inside you that helps your run faster or ride farther. Take whatever inspiration strikes you. Sometimes it's your child yelling, 'Go Mom (or Dad)' and sometimes it's simply that feeling you get when you step out and the day is perfect for training.
Take that inspiration and turn it into a dream. You can accomplish what you can dream.
I find that I daydream about things that are totally within my grasp. When I'm at work, I dream about being at home, curled up in my big comfy chair with a good book. When I'm at home, I think about going shopping in a larger city. When I'm traveling I worry about the work I should be doing at home. A certain amount of restlessness is built into today's global society. In my opinion, a certain amount of restlessness is built into being American. But a certain amount of restlessness is innate to who we are....or are not.
As a population, it's a fair assumption that we triathletes (or most of us) are restless by nature. We strive for the excitement. We push the limits of our bodies and minds. It's been proven that most triathletes are Type 'A'. I interpret that to mean that we want more out of life...and sometimes that means we dream big.
It helps to look at the accomplishments of other athletes, and yes, sometimes we covet them. Whether it's your local hero or one of the pros, it's perfectly appropriate, and quite commendable to dream to accomplish some of what they have accomplished. Sometimes just reading an article or watching a race in TV sparks that thing inside you that helps your run faster or ride farther. Take whatever inspiration strikes you. Sometimes it's your child yelling, 'Go Mom (or Dad)' and sometimes it's simply that feeling you get when you step out and the day is perfect for training.
Take that inspiration and turn it into a dream. You can accomplish what you can dream.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A New Notebook
Well, it's that time of year when I break out a new notebook. The 2010 triathlon season has ended and my athletes are starting to think about next year.
Maybe I'm old-school or maybe technologically challenged, but I still like to map out a season on paper. Not only is it easier visually, for me to grasp the 'big picture' but I like the feel of the pages and the ability to flip back and forth as I make lists and plan out weeks.
I start by writing down the date of each Monday during the training period. I group the weeks into larger cycles - sometimes those are months, sometimes 6-week blocks, sometimes 3-week blocks. Each 'block' has a training goal, as does each week. For each week, there is a designated purpose and each workout within that week is tailored to meet that purpose. Some workouts during the week are more important than others and I designate those as 'key' workouts, so my clients will know that they are non-negotiable. Other workouts are just fillers, or the 'supporting' activities to the key workouts for the week.
By doing this, it's easy for me, throughout the year, to maintain focus and to remember what the goals are. It's a proven system, and well documented in a number of triathlon training manuals.
But the notebook has greater meaning to me personally. I've always been a fan of school supplies. There's nothing like that shopping trip in the Fall, or as it occurs now, in the summer, to shop for school supplies - new notebooks, pencils, pens and rulers. I use all that stuff in my training toolbox. I color code things. The new notebook looks fresh and promising with it's crisp white pages. It seems to promise that next season is going to be even more fabulous than the one that's just ended.
Now, that I retire last season's notebook, I look at it fondly....like an old friend. I carried it everywhere - to work, to Starbuck's, to the gym. I kept in the car when I picked my kids up in case I had a few minutes to ponder. Furthermore, I kept notes on Webinars in it; notes from conversations with clients. It's something of a Bible to me, or more accurately, like a security blanket. I have no doubt, that as I plan for the new season, I will refer to my old friend for advice. Because with training, it's never out with the old and in with the new. There's always something to be learned from last season. Each season holds it's own lessons.
So break out your new 'notebook' this season. If you're not already, keep a training journal. If you haven't already, commit to paper, your goals. It's fun and rewarding and you'll be glad you did.
Maybe I'm old-school or maybe technologically challenged, but I still like to map out a season on paper. Not only is it easier visually, for me to grasp the 'big picture' but I like the feel of the pages and the ability to flip back and forth as I make lists and plan out weeks.
I start by writing down the date of each Monday during the training period. I group the weeks into larger cycles - sometimes those are months, sometimes 6-week blocks, sometimes 3-week blocks. Each 'block' has a training goal, as does each week. For each week, there is a designated purpose and each workout within that week is tailored to meet that purpose. Some workouts during the week are more important than others and I designate those as 'key' workouts, so my clients will know that they are non-negotiable. Other workouts are just fillers, or the 'supporting' activities to the key workouts for the week.
By doing this, it's easy for me, throughout the year, to maintain focus and to remember what the goals are. It's a proven system, and well documented in a number of triathlon training manuals.
But the notebook has greater meaning to me personally. I've always been a fan of school supplies. There's nothing like that shopping trip in the Fall, or as it occurs now, in the summer, to shop for school supplies - new notebooks, pencils, pens and rulers. I use all that stuff in my training toolbox. I color code things. The new notebook looks fresh and promising with it's crisp white pages. It seems to promise that next season is going to be even more fabulous than the one that's just ended.
Now, that I retire last season's notebook, I look at it fondly....like an old friend. I carried it everywhere - to work, to Starbuck's, to the gym. I kept in the car when I picked my kids up in case I had a few minutes to ponder. Furthermore, I kept notes on Webinars in it; notes from conversations with clients. It's something of a Bible to me, or more accurately, like a security blanket. I have no doubt, that as I plan for the new season, I will refer to my old friend for advice. Because with training, it's never out with the old and in with the new. There's always something to be learned from last season. Each season holds it's own lessons.
So break out your new 'notebook' this season. If you're not already, keep a training journal. If you haven't already, commit to paper, your goals. It's fun and rewarding and you'll be glad you did.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)