After long time of the same fitness routine, create a new challenge for yourself. And don't make it easy on yourself! I found my new challenge by combining running and cycling.
I am primarily a cyclist, and I don't really love running. It's difficult, painful there is no cutting corners like drafting or coasting to rest. But I'm not giving up!
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| Duathlon logo (not aero on my bike though :) ) |
It turned out to be a very interesting challenge both physical and mental. Here are some of the challenges I faced
Physical
- The effort changes, you can look forward to a change in pace
- Plan your heart rate zones so your muscles are still fresh for the final run
- Cope with different niggles and minor pains like toe blisters or cramped legs when you stretch in the saddle
- Plan your drinking and eating so you have a good amount of energy all through the effort
Mental
- It's easier to push yourself to the end of each stage, but you must overcome the knowledge that you still have more stuff to do (run or cycle).
- Convince yourself that it's doable - people looked very funny at me for a whole week before the training.
- Hold back on people that run or cycle faster than you, because they are doing only one thing while you need to pace over three stages.
The actual training took longer than I expected, because I didn't plan for good logistics on changeovers - my bike wasn't prepared to just go. The whole effort took around 4 hours to complete. After my makeshift duathlon, there wasn't too much pain, but I really needed to take a nap :)
You can review the three stages of my duathlon training on Strava
Stage 1 https://www.strava.com/activities/275694283
Stage 2 https://www.strava.com/activities/275826267
Stage 3 https://www.strava.com/activities/275786568
What is your latest fitness monster? Tell us in the comments!
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