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when do you push yourself to to the next level
shadowone1
Posts: 1,408
in General Chat
Done a good few sprint, always had it in my head I would move to OD's. Got the first OD in two weeks.
Then what.... when do you start to push to go to the next level.... discuss
Then what.... when do you start to push to go to the next level.... discuss
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Loved the OD!
I'm seriously toying with the idea of stepping up to HIM already, as the Little Woody is at the end of August.
Many would say it's too soon, especially since I can only give about 6 hours to training each week.
However... I'm a sucker for punishment!
It's an excuse to look at TT frames if nothing else.
If you want to finish, go for it.
If however you want to do it in a reasonable time, keep training until your happy with all the elements.
And you can get close to your target time then go for it.
It might take you longer the second way, but i think you can then build on that for the future.
I think if your aim is to get faster at a specific distance, you will naturally reach a higher level with each successive race, until things like proper coaching, TT bike and the aero extras will help you more than training alone will have.
So I think it all depends on your goals and what you consider the next level.
Sorry to go off on a tangent here but:
Gunforhire, how did you get into the sub 2:30 category with one OD result? I though they need 2 results? You just reminded me to apply (probs too late) but im hoping my 2:20 and 2x injured 2:33 results would scrape me in. Would love to do the westminster course.
You can do anything with good planning and prep. Well maybe, ill tell you after tough guy 2010
I set about proving others wrong and myself because I too had the doubts. the same level of doubt has been thrown at me for OD so guess what I'll prove them wrong.
I do like the idea of setting goals but does goals need to be expansive ie if you don't achieve exactly what you set out can then expand on the next set to make up for it?
Too many tri discussions get completely one-dimensional, like the only thing that matters is going further. The so called 'natural progression' from SS, Sprint, OD, Middle to Long ('Iron man' distance).
How far you can go is not a validation of your ability. If you've done your first few sprints it is just as valid to go out there again and try to lose 10 minutes off your PB as it is to go for OD.
If you have a valid 'Why?' to go with the 'What?' then fine, but nobody should feel that they have to strive for longer and longer distances just to be a valid triathlete.
Why is 'the next level' equivalent to 'further'. It could be 'faster', 'concentrating on my swim', whatever. Hell, if you're on a limited training-time budget I'd argue that aiming at the top 10% in a sprint was a far more rewarding target to aim for than a half-arsed OD or 70.3 (as in my recent example...)
Interesting point there.... what is actually the next level. I would like to assume that the natural progression for me is to get to a decent OD level. However, there has to be a degree of elation when you've completed your first OD. You don't need to consistently do OD's but just complete them.
Others may feel the need to consolidate their time on a sprint, while others may want to push the barrier to OD.
Lets keep this one going...
However, a sprint is still a valid race, still a "proper" triathlon. Which would be the "better" achievement, finishing an IM in, say 15 hours or a sprint in an hour?
For me the attraction is distance. I'm not actually too bothered about time, relatively speaking. Even when I'm training I'm much more likely to want to try and go further rather than the same distance faster. When I think about what I'd like to achieve in triathlon a big part of it is distance. I already have my ideal progression through distances in my head even though I haven't even done one yet!! If I think about the dream, the thing that gives me goosebumps then that's IM. Haven't got a clue if I'll ever be able to do it but thinking about it gives me a bit of a rush.
Then there's the question of why distance? What is it I'm measuring myself against? Frankly, I don't care about pleasing someone who thinks you're not a triathlete if you dont go long. I've never been competitive towards other people, I've always found it slightly funny when guys get all macho and competitive towards each other. When I train I'm competing against the distance. I love pushing when I feel shattered just to go that bit further, even if it's at a slow pace.
I guess like most things in life there is no one way, no absolute truth. All of our drives and acheivements are personal and varied.
In reply to shadow, If you ever dont achive your goals then you have not failed. The only failure is not trying, failing a goal is like a lesson, you take the usual information then you go back and beat it next time.
People who laugh at what they percieve to be failure are seldom achievers themself, I love those people because they give me the motivation to win
I'm not interested in going 'long' at all. A mate who has done two IMs keeps asking when I'm going to do a 'proper' one - an OD.
I've told him I've got no interest in that distance, because at the moment I'm not even near my potential at sprint distance. I'm seeing progression but I feel as though I've still a long way to go. And judging by the times some guys post it's going to take me a while. But I'm determined to get there, rather than have a half-arsed attempt at OD. If I did do OD or longer I'd want to nail it rather than complete.
Plus there are other considerations - like time to train, strengths/weaknesses etc to consider.
I'm more interested in "quality" than "quantity". And I think that the number of hours of training required to achieve quality in a longer distance is beyond what I am prepared to devote.
I also have specific targets for running and cycling time trials also.
My objective is to be as competitive as I can over sprint and OD at age group level.
But.. I've noticed that the longer the distance, the more competitive I get... for a run, my sweet spot is(was, pre-injury) currently about 10 miles... so I may end up going longer.
As for the next level, well that depends on what the next level is for you