Hey guys,
Anyone reading these blogs ever been injured? Injured triathletes often have the hardest time recovering, usually because they don't want to lose any training volume to their competitors. I know this feeling so well, and I'll tell you - it's a terrible feeling! I know how much it sucks, but honestly, like you all have heard, you need to take some rest. However, it doesn't always have to be complete rest. Sometimes, you can have an active rest/recovery or work the parts of the body we usually overlook, like your core and balancing muscle groups.
Strength training is a great thing to add to any training plan, even for someone who is completely healthy and on top of their game. If you get injured and go to a physical therapist, ask him or her to measure your different muscle group strengths, and you may be surprised. I had my strengths measured and found out I have very weak hamstrings, which I had previously thought were very well developed. So different strength exercises for different areas of the body can help improve your fitness and prevent future injuries. As for me, I am definitely starting to do strength-work more frequently, now a few times a week. I really hope it will help prevent future injuries for me, and all of you should look into these strengthening exercises as well.
Other methods for recovery can include doctors appointments, special types of foods and drinks, special blood flow treatments, or methods such as KT tape or Chinese cupping. Both of these two methods work very well and help increase circulation to injured areas. Chinese cupping uses the application of pressure points and suction to create a vacuum of air that sucks your skin up into a clear, plastic cup, which sounds weird, but it brings blood rushing to the area. It also helps flush out toxins from deep inside muscle tissue. KT tape accomplishes some of the same thing, and is very easy to apply. Chocolate milk involves a small amount of protein as well as key vitamins and minerals, one of which is calcium, which can be key for healing and preventing shin splints. I have this drink after nearly every one of my runs, and works very well for me. Foods such as vegetables, chicken, shrimp, and other lean meats also all have special properties that can help you recover your strength more quickly.
Finally, specialized gear & apparel can also aid in your road to recovery. I use many different types of compression socks during, and after, runs to help my calves recover. I also ice my legs in a lot of different places to help my muscles cool down. I use "The Stick", a massage roller that you can hold in your hand, as well as a Trigger Point foam roller. These both help muscles relax and release deposits of lactic acid, which helps everyone feel better.
All of these methods are great to use, and I recommend trying your best to work on those weak areas we all suffer with. I don't want anyone who reads this blog to ever have that feeling of being left behind due to injury, so do your best to stay healthy and happy!
Happy training!
Through all our races, you've gotta have some fun out of it. This is my first time just casually swimming in White Lake.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Beach, blisters, sun, rip currents, and a whole lot of fun
Hey guys, Sorry I haven't posted anything recently. It was a long weekend, with a lot of great training and fun mixed in. There's a good amount of good stories though!
First of all, please honor our veterans. They are the most amazing individuals in our country, and I feel honored to call one of our servicemen a very good friend of mine. They deserve so much more respect than we give them, and we are so blessed to have our armed forces. Please take the time, not just today, but all year to thank our current members of the armed forces and our veterans. God Bless America.
Now, over the past 2 weeks or so, I was feeling a little high up on my saddle height. I was starting to have the symptoms of Iliotibial Band Syndrome, so I needed to get myself checked out. So I took my bike to the shop on Saturday and talked to the original fitter who put me on my S5 and asked him about the height. He said it looked fine and that I just needed to adjust my saddle angle. I didn't really like this answer, and so I got myself looked at by a different bike fitter, one who has been a bike fitter since 1986. He gave me exactly what I wanted to hear-I was about 2.5 centimeters high! Not millimeters, but centimeters! That was crazy, so no wonder I was having Iliotibial band problems. Regardless, my advice is if you have a great bike fitter, then go with his/her first judgment, but if you feel uncomfortable, get yourself checked out by a different bike fitter, because odds are, the opinions will be very different. This is KEY for preventing injuries and it is very important to do so, to ensure great training for a long time.
For memorial day, I traveled to the beach with my best friend and his family to enjoy the sand and sun for the day. The weather forecast looked bleak at first, but as the day went on, it became an amazing, beautiful day. As soon as we arrived, I was quick to jump on the opportunity to go for a good long run on the beach, barefoot, and just to be at one with the ocean and its community. So I set out at a decent pace and just enjoyed the sights and smells for a while. Then something hilarious happened-to understand who must know that two buddies of mine went to the beach without me and to make up for leaving without me brought me back a customized shirt that said "Super Triathlete" on the front, and my only original quote "Beaches aren't long enough" on the back. Today, as I ran past multiple piers, I reached the end of the beach. It curved around into a peninsula and just stopped. I got back to where my friend was laying out and told him about the run, and he said "Dude, your shirt!" I said "Yes! That's perfect, it's actually true!" It was a great laugh between the both of us, and a lot of fun.
So, do any of you guys ever get blisters from running? I definitely do, just because I always run on hot asphalt roads for long periods of time. I've started using moisture-wicking socks, and they've helped a little bit, but I still get blisters worse than anyone else I've met, and they suck. Today I was running BAREFOOT on the BEACH and I got three extremely painful blood blisters! They can really screw up your day, and I'm not really sure how to get rid of them-anyone? I could use some help in that field if you've got any suggestions. Thanks guys!
Here's a funny story-it's about rip currents. So today me and my buddy were out swimming in the ocean, and to get to the larger waves we swam out farther into open water. We were probably around 500 to 600 feet off of the shoreline, about even with how far a pier reaches out into the ocean. Well, we got concerned with how far out we were, and so we began our long swim in. We were swimming with our heads above water, and easily conversing, when we saw through a break in a wave, a lifeguard standing on a 4-wheeler looking out at us. As the next wave passed, the one lifeguard had become three lifeguards. The next wave; 6 lifeguards. Then a rescue vehicle! I asked him, laughing, "Dude, are we in trouble?" He just laughed for a while. Then, to our surprise, we saw two lifeguards swimming out towards us! We were both good swimmers, and we were fine, which the lifeguards acknowledged, but we had to be towed in regardless. Once we arrived on shore, we were informed that we had been involved in the largest rip current that the guards had seen this entire summer, and that is was crazy that we were even able to swim against it. It was a unique experience, being in a rip current. Nonetheless, it can be scary. Be careful when you guys are at the beach, because I know that a lot of you do open water swims in the ocean. So if you feel a large pulling force, then continue swimming parallel, because lifeguards aren't always there to save you! Just be careful everybody.
Best of luck in all of your training!
Headwinds
Hey guys,
Does anyone here hate headwinds? Because I have to tell you, although headwinds are hard to train through, they make you a better triathlete. I know some people who get their trainers out as soon as they feel a heavy wind outside. No! That's not a good habit to get into. What you guys really need to do is head out on the bike or get some track intervals in on these windy days, and those will be good, key sessions in your training. Earlier today we were doing 400 repeats on the track, and as we came around into the final 200, we would get blasted with a crazy hard wind, and it forced us to work that much harder mentally and physically to keep up the pace. See? These winds help us become better athletes-especially on the bike. Stronger winds can definitely be felt by any cyclist training on the road-and they suck. I know they do. They are really hard to push through, but you can do it! As soon as you know you're up against a headwind, just put your head down and push through the ride. Over my years of biking on open roads, I've developed some methods of telling whether or not there is a headwind-here they are:
1. This is the only way to find a wind wherever you are. If you are biking in the summer, look at the leaves on the trees. If they are blowing around very rapidly and opposite the direction you are going-then you've got a headwind.
2. Another great method I've found is that on my routes there are many American flags out in the open close to the road. You'll find these around government buildings that serve the community, police stations, fire stations, hospitals, etc. As you cycle past, look at the flag. Whichever way it is flapping in the wind is the way the wind is headed. I know it's very simple, but it's a great surefire way of knowing.
3. This last method only works if their has been a recent downpour of rain, and enough to make puddles next to the road. The winds also have to be blowing very strongly to use this method. Anyway, when passing a puddle, if you can see little ripples headed towards you in the water, you've got a headwind-a big one.
Like I said, when people encounter headwinds, they get discouraged and stay inside the house to ride. That's not what training is all about, it's about getting out and improving! That's my little mantra for whenever I come across a headwind: "It's only making you better." That's something I say to myself every time I go out and ride against a wind. But for real, they can be a lot of fun to ride with a tailwind! If you ever get the chance, during a ride with a headwind, turn around halfway through and you can just stumble across free speed-I'm talking about 3-MPH average faster here guys! It's such a cool feeling, so all in all, don't run and hide during headwinds-go ride or run.
Happy training everyone!
The weather
Hey guys,
Today was one of those days where you had to go and do something you didn't necessarily have in mind when you got up this morning. It was almost time to go home at school, with only about 10 minutes left in class, when the rain started to pour down. Really? Come on mother nature, I was going to do a hour ride outside today! So, like any other triathlete, I reluctantly got my trainer out and put it in the garage. My garage is where most of my trainer rides take place, but this garage space also serves as a part time oven when I'm cycling in there. In just 10 minutes, I had a pretty sizable sweat puddle underneath my bike. This wasn't great, but I sweat a lot, I know this, but it still gets annoying when you sweat that much. The motivation it takes to keep going through that much exercise is intense, especially when you start to overheat. I know I'm not the only one who hates/dislikes trainer rides, but I wish that on some days you could just have a perfect blend of man and machine, just a perfect mix of beauty, speed, power, efficiency, and pure joy of getting out and riding your bike.
Tri hard everybody-remember that. You have to do what you love in order to be happy, and if that's riding your bike, swimming a few miles, or getting out for a run, by all means, do it. If it's all three, then you're doing just fine.
Today was one of those days where you had to go and do something you didn't necessarily have in mind when you got up this morning. It was almost time to go home at school, with only about 10 minutes left in class, when the rain started to pour down. Really? Come on mother nature, I was going to do a hour ride outside today! So, like any other triathlete, I reluctantly got my trainer out and put it in the garage. My garage is where most of my trainer rides take place, but this garage space also serves as a part time oven when I'm cycling in there. In just 10 minutes, I had a pretty sizable sweat puddle underneath my bike. This wasn't great, but I sweat a lot, I know this, but it still gets annoying when you sweat that much. The motivation it takes to keep going through that much exercise is intense, especially when you start to overheat. I know I'm not the only one who hates/dislikes trainer rides, but I wish that on some days you could just have a perfect blend of man and machine, just a perfect mix of beauty, speed, power, efficiency, and pure joy of getting out and riding your bike.
Tri hard everybody-remember that. You have to do what you love in order to be happy, and if that's riding your bike, swimming a few miles, or getting out for a run, by all means, do it. If it's all three, then you're doing just fine.
The distance debate
Hey guys,
I'm writing here about the debate not of race distance, but of training volume. Ever since I was 12, after I ran that half-marathon, then that Half-Ironman, then that full marathon, I wanted to do more. That's what my whole mindset was, just longer, longer, longer. I wanted to be the youngest to do these events. However, once I started meeting with coaches and experienced triathlete veterans, they immediately pointed out my stupidity in wanting to do so much so young. I admit, I was kind of being dumb back at the time and I should've done a little more research, but come on, it was fun! Anyways, I am older now, and more developed, and at a key time in my training. As I train more, I am starting to see how overuse injuries can slow down training substantially. Don't get me wrong, physical injuries are much worse. I myself have had torn groin muscles, strained hip adductors and strained hip flexors, along with Achilles tendonitis and a rotator cuff problem. These all happened in very close succession to each other and I am just now starting to get back to consistent training.
Regardless, I feel like I've missed out on training from my competition and I'm trying to feverishly catch up. As an example, I jumped my cycling mileage per week up by almost half, going from around 80 miles a week to about 150 miles a week. I also started working, where I'm on my feet all day and rarely have the chance to rest. So, as a result, my shin splints started to come back and I have a mild case of cyclist's knee.
My advice to all of you is to be smart with your training. Don't go out the day you come off your official "off-season" and go crazy with a ridiculous bike interval set. You have to think about your base mileage first. Even when you have a solid base, even through the off-season, you have to re-adjust your body back to the rigors of training. I feel so bad for people who get injured at the time of their training, and I really hope it doesn't have to happen to any of you. Take it from me, it's very hard to recover to 100%. It is doable, but it takes a lot of time and energy to get completely fixed.
Be careful out there guys.
I'm writing here about the debate not of race distance, but of training volume. Ever since I was 12, after I ran that half-marathon, then that Half-Ironman, then that full marathon, I wanted to do more. That's what my whole mindset was, just longer, longer, longer. I wanted to be the youngest to do these events. However, once I started meeting with coaches and experienced triathlete veterans, they immediately pointed out my stupidity in wanting to do so much so young. I admit, I was kind of being dumb back at the time and I should've done a little more research, but come on, it was fun! Anyways, I am older now, and more developed, and at a key time in my training. As I train more, I am starting to see how overuse injuries can slow down training substantially. Don't get me wrong, physical injuries are much worse. I myself have had torn groin muscles, strained hip adductors and strained hip flexors, along with Achilles tendonitis and a rotator cuff problem. These all happened in very close succession to each other and I am just now starting to get back to consistent training.
Regardless, I feel like I've missed out on training from my competition and I'm trying to feverishly catch up. As an example, I jumped my cycling mileage per week up by almost half, going from around 80 miles a week to about 150 miles a week. I also started working, where I'm on my feet all day and rarely have the chance to rest. So, as a result, my shin splints started to come back and I have a mild case of cyclist's knee.
My advice to all of you is to be smart with your training. Don't go out the day you come off your official "off-season" and go crazy with a ridiculous bike interval set. You have to think about your base mileage first. Even when you have a solid base, even through the off-season, you have to re-adjust your body back to the rigors of training. I feel so bad for people who get injured at the time of their training, and I really hope it doesn't have to happen to any of you. Take it from me, it's very hard to recover to 100%. It is doable, but it takes a lot of time and energy to get completely fixed.
Be careful out there guys.
Discrimination towards cyclists and runners
Hey guys.
I know I'm posting very quickly, but this topic has been fresh in my mind for the past few days or so. I work at a triathlon store in Cary, NC, and enjoy a very nice 20 mile commute home. I ride my bike, of course, who wouldn't? It's a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the night air as well as get a good workout in. However, for those of you who are reading from close to the Apex/Cary area, most of my route home includes Cary Parkway, Kildaire Farm road, and Ten-Ten road. You all know these names and how infamous they are for being dangerous for cyclists and runners, but I'm forced to do training there. It's how I get places.
Anyway, last Sunday night I was sitting at the light at Ten-Ten and 401, at around 8:55 PM. A large truck was next to me, and I glanced into the window and gave a acknowledging nod. He nodded back, and so I was confident he wouldn't try to run me over through the intersection. He did not, but as we went through the light, he slowed down. I started to wonder if he was turning in front of me, but just as I came to that realization, he hit the gas pedal. Hard. He sped away, and in doing so, the exhaust pipe belched a plume of black smoke directly into me, stinging my eyes, throat, nose, and mouth which left me coughing for a good amount of the rest of the ride home. This kind of makes me angry when things such as this happens. It just doesn't make sense! I can't wrap my head around why people feel the need to do these things, because they're just unnecessary. They're dangerous too!
Earlier today I headed out for a run, and as I ran down Ten-Ten, a truck drifted over the white line. I was on a very straight, flat stretch of the road, and had been looking at the truck for about 10 seconds before he started to drift across the white line, where I was running. I thought he would move, but he did not, and actually forced me to jump off the road and into the ditch! That's honestly just crazy. I don't know what drives people to harass hard working athletes such as ourselves, does anyone here know?
Give me some feedback, why does this happen?
I know I'm posting very quickly, but this topic has been fresh in my mind for the past few days or so. I work at a triathlon store in Cary, NC, and enjoy a very nice 20 mile commute home. I ride my bike, of course, who wouldn't? It's a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the night air as well as get a good workout in. However, for those of you who are reading from close to the Apex/Cary area, most of my route home includes Cary Parkway, Kildaire Farm road, and Ten-Ten road. You all know these names and how infamous they are for being dangerous for cyclists and runners, but I'm forced to do training there. It's how I get places.
Anyway, last Sunday night I was sitting at the light at Ten-Ten and 401, at around 8:55 PM. A large truck was next to me, and I glanced into the window and gave a acknowledging nod. He nodded back, and so I was confident he wouldn't try to run me over through the intersection. He did not, but as we went through the light, he slowed down. I started to wonder if he was turning in front of me, but just as I came to that realization, he hit the gas pedal. Hard. He sped away, and in doing so, the exhaust pipe belched a plume of black smoke directly into me, stinging my eyes, throat, nose, and mouth which left me coughing for a good amount of the rest of the ride home. This kind of makes me angry when things such as this happens. It just doesn't make sense! I can't wrap my head around why people feel the need to do these things, because they're just unnecessary. They're dangerous too!
Earlier today I headed out for a run, and as I ran down Ten-Ten, a truck drifted over the white line. I was on a very straight, flat stretch of the road, and had been looking at the truck for about 10 seconds before he started to drift across the white line, where I was running. I thought he would move, but he did not, and actually forced me to jump off the road and into the ditch! That's honestly just crazy. I don't know what drives people to harass hard working athletes such as ourselves, does anyone here know?
Give me some feedback, why does this happen?
It all starts here
Hey guys.
At this point, I am talking to no one, but I hope in the near future that will change. As you can see, I am new to blogging, really new to this entire website idea, but I hope it can help some people as well as myself. See, I am a 15 year old triathlete who dreams about being a pro one day. I know, its far fetched, but everyone has a dream, right? Through these blog posts I'm going to be sharing my opinions on triathlete/running trends, how I see triathletes in society, and my daily struggles with hard training and life in general. What I really am going for here is for some people to come along on this journey with me. My name is Jarod Nizen, by the way. I like to do triathlons.
At this point, I am talking to no one, but I hope in the near future that will change. As you can see, I am new to blogging, really new to this entire website idea, but I hope it can help some people as well as myself. See, I am a 15 year old triathlete who dreams about being a pro one day. I know, its far fetched, but everyone has a dream, right? Through these blog posts I'm going to be sharing my opinions on triathlete/running trends, how I see triathletes in society, and my daily struggles with hard training and life in general. What I really am going for here is for some people to come along on this journey with me. My name is Jarod Nizen, by the way. I like to do triathlons.
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