Monday, January 4, 2010

A New Year, A New Age Group

Happy 2010 everyone! I wish you well in the new year and hope you are gradually going to get back into training mode for the 2010 season. Its a new year so you have plenty of time to ease into it--no sense training too hard then getting an injury in a few months that leaves you scratching your head as to how it happened. For me, it's going to be a very slow step by step process to get up to speed. I am not planning my first peak until mid-late July with a second peak planned for October. Because of that, I would just be wasting energy and logging a lot of junk miles if I were to start training as usual now. Normally, I go with a couple weeks of prepping, then the Base/Foundation periods, Build periods, etc..... This year I am going with 6 weeks of prep to try and build up some strength (weights) as well as lay down a steady swimming routine so I can progress that way this year. I also have about 8-9 pounds to lose. I didn't gain 9 in the off season, but did gain a few. Combine that with the fact that I never got down to my ideal race weight last year so now I have a little extra to trim off.

With that said, racing in 2010 puts me in a new Age-Group for sanctioned races: 40-44. I'm not 40 yet, but will be in 2010 therefore I am considered to be 40. Some of you think that may be an easier AG, but truthfully, 35-39 and 40-44 are usually the largest AG and it could be argued that they are the most competitive with regards to AG podium spots (not necessarily overall podium).

Good luck!

2 comments:

Brian said...

I am the Junk Mile King! Actually feeling pretty good. I hope to keep up what I've been doing. I have yet to insert any hard speed workouts (save for swimming) and won't get into those until the snow is gone.

Enjoy the new age group! It is highly competitive group even with attrition.

Mario said...

I've seen some races where 40-44 is the largest group. Not necessarily the most competitive, but sometime the winner is from that group!