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2006-03-23 5:05 AM

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Expert
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Subject: April Challenge?
So I am almost done with my goals for this month, so I have begun to look towards next month's training. What does everyone want to do for a challenge? Maybe a multisport challenge?


2006-03-23 9:44 AM
in reply to: #377187

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Pro
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Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: April Challenge?

I would hate to be repetitive, but I think a swim challenge might be the ticket ... I know that is so January, but swim training is so fundamental to not drowning.

I have two 'A' races coming up - St. Anthony's Oly in Tampa on April 30th and Gulf Coast HIM in Panama City on May 13th - and swimming is definitely still my weakest sport ... so I am going to need some time in the pool (and could use the kick-in-the-rear that the challenge brings).

2006-03-23 12:14 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Champion
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Subject: RE: April Challenge?

I'd like a multi-sport challenge.  I've realized that with each month I'm in a challenge, I focus on that specific sport (swimming in December, running in February) at the expense of the other disciplines.

A multi-sport would require me to focus on all 3 elements of weakness.

2006-03-23 12:19 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Subject: RE: April Challenge?
I would love a multi-sport challenge as well. Gives me a chance to boost all areas....
2006-03-23 12:39 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Expert
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Olathe, KS
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
MULTISPORT!  MULTISPORT!  MULTISPORT!
2006-03-23 6:20 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Regular
75
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China Grove, NC (Charlotte)
Subject: RE: April Challenge?

I'm up for Multisport also. First race in may so the timing is great.



2006-03-23 6:39 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Elite
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Lakewood, CO
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
Multisport makes sense after the last few months...

But I need to get in the water.
2006-03-24 8:14 AM
in reply to: #377187

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Expert
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Sarnia, Ontario
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
I vote Multisport!
2006-03-24 9:09 AM
in reply to: #377187

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Pro
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Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: April Challenge?

Challenges are good and I do not want to pooh-pooh any challenge ... these things work!  Personally speaking, I doubled my run volume in February and am close to tripling my normal cycling volume for March (despite the advent of interval training into my cycling diet).  The challenges provided the extra motivation to not only not blow off or curtail a work-out in that discipline, but to do more with each work out ... something that may be good for an over emphasis on one but not all three sports. 

One of the benefits in these challenges is the over emphasis on one particular discipline while still following (and completing) the training plan for the other two.  It is through this over emphasis that leads to building that extra base, strength and endurance in that discipline that can be relied upon on race day(s) ... but it should be part and parcel of the periodized training schedule you are already following (base=> build => peak).

Within this periodization, I am told that there should be periods of over emphasis on each discipline where you focus on ramping up your volume and/or intensity* on that one, particular discipline ... ramping up on all three, though, can be a path to injury.

Training is, well, just that - training according to your schedule.  The additional volume generated by a challenge should not come at the expense of training for the other disciplines, but in addition to it.

Perhaps the solution is to take your training schedule and add an emphasis on one sport as your focus for that month ... but then how is that not a sport specific challenge?

* For example, see Triathlete Magazine's "The Complete Triathlon Book" by Matt Fitzgerald ... a well written and not too highly technical, mumbo-jumbo book and is written by one of the magazines better contributors.  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=217

2006-03-24 9:33 AM
in reply to: #377187

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Master
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Cambridge, MA
Subject: RE: April Challenge?

I need my training to be more balanced, so my vote is for multisport, but let's not dismiss the point made above on periodization.  If all we do is train to meet challenge goals, we may not be doing ourselves the justice of building a base, testing it, growing it, and then tapering it for a race.  

I'm still new to BT.com so maybe I'll see the challenges fade away as race season starts to take off, but I really do think that now is the time to build, test, and grow the base in all three sports.  Multisport challenge is the way to go -- just keep it in tune with your larger race goals.  (sorry if I'm preaching to the choir with that...I know ya'll are smart)

2006-03-24 9:52 AM
in reply to: #377187

Subject: RE: April Challenge?
Multisport with teams is my vote. I did the individual multisport challenge this month, but I like the team aspect of the run challenge I completed in February.


2006-03-24 1:45 PM
in reply to: #378365

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Elite
3488
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Lakewood, CO
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
This may be too complicated, but would there be a way to make this 3 pronged and to get a 100% completion of the challenge you must meet or exceed your goals in all three?? If not, you hurt yourself/team.
2006-03-24 2:18 PM
in reply to: #378318

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Pro
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A farming town in MN
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
huengsolo - 2006-03-24 9:09 AM

Challenges are good and I do not want to pooh-pooh any challenge ... these things work!...

What huengsolo said..

I agree.  Challenges usually keep me from blowing off a day of training because 'I didn't feel like it,' but injuries are definitely a thing to watch out for especially since our training volume is increasing.  I think if we all try to follow the 10% rule (don't increase training time/distance in any discipline more than 10% a week) we SHOULD be O.K.

The other thing we need to remember to do is set REALISTIC challenge goals.  If we know we are going to have a killer month at work, don't list an unrealistic goal, find out you're behind schedule, then bust your bootay the final week (and maybe get injured) trying to complete your goal.  I sometimes feel like I'm sandbagging on my challenge goal, but when it comes down to it, it was usually enough to get me off my butt and get in the pool, jump on the trainer or throw on the running gear when I didn't feel like training.

O.K., enough.  I vote for MULTISPORT!



Edited by sparco 2006-03-24 2:22 PM
2006-03-24 2:20 PM
in reply to: #378786

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: April Challenge?
I'm all challenged out .... you guys have fun ......
2006-03-24 3:30 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Master
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McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
Multisport sounds like fun. Have a sprint tri and an aquathon in April, so I'll definitely be going for balance.
2006-03-24 3:58 PM
in reply to: #377187

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974.926
Subject: RE: April Challenge?

I vote "yea" for multisport... 

 



2006-03-24 5:48 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Master
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Minnesota
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
any of the above!
2006-03-24 10:06 PM
in reply to: #378844

Master
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Subject: RE: April Challenge?

Daremo - 2006-03-24 3:20 PM I'm all challenged out .... you guys have fun ......

Amen to that!

2006-03-25 6:29 AM
in reply to: #377187

Veteran
186
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Coquitlam, BC
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
Multi sport!!!!!!!

However, I agree about the 10% rule, hence for each challenge that I have joined all I have done is add the total amounts for the specific discipline of the month and made that my time for the challenge.... the thing that this caused was the motivation to not skip a work out or to make it up!!!!

However, I do have planned to do my very first tri in May so a multi would be gravy so that i may increase my motivation and not miss any workouts... I also need to start weights...

2006-03-26 10:41 AM
in reply to: #377187

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: April Challenge?
I may be in for a multisport challenge...
2006-03-26 1:32 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Master
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Subject: RE: April Challenge?
I'm having a tough time at work and fitting training in, but I am in for a Multisport challenge. It may be what I need to help myself relax and keep at my training.


2006-03-26 3:00 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Expert
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Earth
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
I might be up for a challenge, swim or multisport.  I did a multisport last month (March), I think it helped keep me on track.  I know this month is going to be worse, the beggining is horrible, I am hoping the middle and end with be better.
2006-03-26 6:02 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Extreme Veteran
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Brisbane
Subject: RE: April Challenge?

Another vote for Multisport!

I've been in three challenges so far this year and my training is feeling somewhat lopsided...it's time to get serious in all three!



Edited by dragoman 2006-03-26 6:06 PM
2006-03-26 7:44 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Extreme Veteran
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quebec's belly button
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
i have to hit the pool NOW (since i haven't been able to fit it in before and had to train my weak areas first) swimming or Multisport is ok by me! Challenges are really a big part of my motivation i need them! count me in .
2006-03-26 9:56 PM
in reply to: #377187

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Master
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Calgary, Alberta
Subject: RE: April Challenge?
I'm up for another multisport. Hoping to have my road bike sometime in April so can maybe do a few km on it as well.
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