WAYNE'S WORDS
January 6, 2005
Topic: Getting better in 2005

Well here we are, 2005. Everyone is starting new routines, getting back into the gym, trying to lose weight, get in shape, become fast, sleek, beautiful, and strong, and ready for the upcoming triathlon season.
I have a few ideas to improve your fitness levels. These aren't the only things that will get you in better condition and everyone is different, but hey, everyone else is offering/giving/selling advice, memberships, DVDs, books, equipment, and fitness classes right now, so I would feel left out if I didn't put my 2 cents worth.

1. Journal. This can be as simple as getting one of those 30 free calenders you get at the end of the year and writing down your workouts everyday. It's amazing how much you do in a year in terms of mileage or time devoted to working out and staying in shape.
SBRSTL has a Group Aerobic Base Building Project. You submit your total amount of aerobic activity each week so that you can see how your time in aerobic activity compares to others.
When you write stuff down you become more aware of what your doing. If you start getting faster or stronger or have more endurance you can check back in your journal to see what kind of workouts you were doing.
Journals are imperative if you do micro/mesocyles in your training.
If you have a little more time and patients, you can try writing a brief entry everyday. This can include your workout, how you felt, where you were, what the weather was like, if you met someone cute in your spinning class or anything else you want to write about.
Get a notebook and a pen and make an entry everyday. It's a good way to see if the workout you did on Monday is hurting you back on Wednesday. It's also fun to go back and read how nervous you were before your first triathlon of the year and how you felt after you placed 1st. in your age group.

2. Spin. See my article dated October 18th. For me, anyway, spinning 2-3 times a week, has made me stronger and increased my cadence, which hopefully will help me in my biking next summer. I also really look forward to the classes, they are fun, I'm meeting some new and interesting folks and I'm get a better workout than if I biked by myself.

3. Plan out your year, but be really, really flexible.
I'm planning out the races I'd like to do this year.
SBRSTL does a great job of listing the race schedule for the upcoming year.
Some of the races I'll be able to do, some I'll have to pass on, and my buddies will probably talk me into doing some I hadn't planned on.
Really good triathletes, not me, will plan out their training schedule to allow them to have their peak performance on their most important races.
For me having that race coming up in May will get my ass in gear in March, because I don't want to be in such pathetic shape in front of you all.

4. Buy something new. NO, I'm not getting a kickback from the local shops although any donation of cash or equipment to The Wayne Huckshold Triathlon Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Sometimes you need a little something to look forward to in you training and racing.
It can be as simple as a new pair of socks all the way to a new bike. Whatever it takes to keep your interest and motivation high.

5. Lastly, have fun, stay balanced in your time devoted to racing and training and to your family.

Here's hoping you have your best year yet, good luck in all things, train smart and live right.

See you at the banquet!!!
Wayne

whuckshold@yahoo.com