2011:  consistently at the top of her age group, 11 races completed

While I had been running for 5 years, my first triathlon was in May, followed by a second at the end of May.  I was frustrated by my performance.  So, I checked with Joe about getting help with my training.  My goals were pretty basic:  keep mobile as long as I live, not get injured, finish races in the middle third of my age group, and help the triathlon club win another National Championship.  Here are my thoughts on Endurance Company training:

 
-          My WORKOUT schedule is tailored to fit my LIFE schedule.  Joe asked me what days and time I have available for work outs, and if there were specific days that were better for swimming, biking, or running. He was very responsive to my schedule and was willing to adjust as my life changed. An example: I have a meeting every Wednesday – he designed my Wednesday workout so that I could be at that meeting on time.  Another example: My husband likes to go biking on Sundays, and likes me to go with him.  Joe built that bike ride into my training schedule.

-          The duration specified on my training schedule is usually ‘right on’.  If a workout is scheduled to last 40 minutes, it usually does.  With my busy schedule this very important, as it allows me to plan my schedule for the rest of the day.

-          Locations are suggested for my workout.  This reduces the amount of thought I needed to put into a workout.  And, being new to Columbia, I have learned what roads are good to ride and run.

-          There is a lot of variety in my workouts.  Instead of my training schedule saying ‘swim 2500 yards’, the distance is broken down into multiple components with the goal of improving my swim.

-          The workouts have been challenging, but fun.  One of my favorite bike workouts was one in which I was supposed do hill repeats, but when I got to the top, ride hard for an additional 60 seconds.  Before that, I would have never considered doing anything but ‘resting’ at the top of a hill.  This workout changed my thinking toward climbing hills.

-          The workouts have been intense, but for a duration that is survivable.  Another of my favorite running sessions was one that I was supposed to warm up, then do a specific number of 800s at a set faster pace, with 3-4 minutes either walk or run in between each.  When I finished my run, I was surprise to find I had run over 9 miles.

-          Joe has remained flexible.  If my life schedule or training schedule changes, he has adjusted my training appropriately. An example of this:  When it was discovered that there was no one from our club in my age group who was doing the sprint at Nationals, upon my request, he immediately changed my workouts to prepare me for the sprint instead of the planned international distance.

The results of using Endurance Company for my past 5 months of training?  Well, I’m still moving, and moving faster!  I finished the triathlon season (11 races) with no additional injuries.  In several races I finished second in my age group.  And, I had the thrill of helping the tri club win their 6th National Championship.  I also ran a 15K in a time I would have never imagined possible.  My run pace is about a minute faster;  In the past,  I would hope to finish a 5K in less than 30 minutes, now that isn’t even a question…how about getting to a consistent sub-26:00?!