Writer in Training: Bits and Pieces

My training over the last few years has involved a steep learning curve. I am far from wise or experienced, but I have learned a few things along the way.

Swimming is hard. I’d like to say it gets easier, but so far, that hasn’t been true. You just get more skilled at recognizing all the things you’re doing wrong.



Swimming is way more fun in a group. It is also so technically demanding I can’t imagine doing it without a coach.



Learn how to change your tires. Seriously. The
day will come when you’ll get a flat tire, and if it’s in the middle of a race,
there’s a good chance the tech people will be very much like police officers:
never around when you need them.



Invest in a foam roller and a lacrosse ball, and
use them both, regularly. I do my rolling nightly in front of the tv.



I am not normally a Coke drinker, but on a long
ride there is nothing quite like the drink of Coke you’ve saved for when you’re
feeling sad.



Anti-chaffing cream works. Use it.



Invest in a comfortable saddle, even if it’s
ugly. Mine is ugly. I do not care. My previous saddle used to make me cry after
half an hour on the trainer. I can sit on this one for hours without any
complaints. Go to a saddle guy (there is such thing) and try a bunch out. It’s
worth it.



Don’t ignore your feet. They need to be
stretched and rolled and taken care of like any other part of your body.



Invest in the occasional massage. I don’t need
to explain why.



Cycling is expensive. Of all the places where
you might be tempted to cut corners, don’t cheap out on a helmet. Again, no
need to explain why.



Booties and toe covers for cold weather
cycling—I can’t believe I went so long without owning these essentials. Warm
feet = happy cyclist.



Experiment with your nutrition on the bike.
Nowhere is it written that you must exist solely on gels. Try dates filled with
coconut oil. Try salted mini-potatoes. And (you’ll laugh, but it tastes great
and it’s easy on the stomach) try baby food.



Change only one thing on a run workout. If you’re
doing hills, don’t also decide to do speed work. If you’re doing speed work,
don’t also decide to do an extra-long run. This is something I’ve learned the
hard way.



Strive to be better, faster, stronger as an
athlete, but also accept the athlete you are. This is a difficult balance to
achieve. If anyone out there has figured out how to do it, please pass on some
advice.



Don’t cut the last few minutes, miles or laps
off a workout. A big element of endurance training involves building mental
toughness. Telling yourself it’s okay to quit before you’re really done won’t
serve you well on race day.



On the other hand, don’t be afraid to cut out
early if something legitimately hurts. It’s not worth risking injury just to
finish a workout.

My long ride this week was on the trainer. I was quite pleased with it until I remembered—I’m still missing 99km.

Happy training!