50-plus racers and recovery times (resting for us old farts) - Triathlon Week

10-01-2004, 09:37 AM

any 50-plus racers here? I'm wondering how you deal with recovery? I
still expect myself to refill the tank like I did years ago. Have you
retained the same training regimen or built in some more recovery time?

Next season I'm going to try some longer events (a marathon, 1 or 2 half
IM and one full), so over the winter I thought I'd do more long distance
training with more rest time in between.

Any thoughts or experience from AARP card holders appreciated.
Eric

10-01-2004, 04:31 PM

i've had tremendous success in lowering recovery---time and effects---by
eating. after anything long or intense i get right onto getting some protein
and carbohydrate combo---meaning, within a half hour. then more in a couple
of hours---and in another couple of hours. if i'm not coming right back to
the house, i have a promax bar + extra water and gatorade in the car, to drink
on the way back. it's made a big difference for me, most of all [no surprise]
in the long stuff leading up to an IM.
i also do the above after races. i have a promax bar in the T area bag.
it's not fun to try to get it down, after sweet stuff for so many hours, but
forcing myself to do it has made for a much happier life the next day and
week.
peggy

10-13-2004, 03:49 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (PMcDC) wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com>...
> i've had tremendous success in lowering recovery---time and effects---by
> eating. after anything long or intense i get right onto getting some protein
> and carbohydrate combo---meaning, within a half hour. then more in a couple
> of hours---and in another couple of hours. if i'm not coming right back to
> the house, i have a promax bar + extra water and gatorade in the car, to drink
> on the way back. it's made a big difference for me, most of all [no surprise]
> in the long stuff leading up to an IM.
> i also do the above after races. i have a promax bar in the T area bag.
> it's not fun to try to get it down, after sweet stuff for so many hours, but
> forcing myself to do it has made for a much happier life the next day and
> week.
> peggy

cool- good for you~

10-14-2004, 06:28 AM

Eric <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>any 50-plus racers here? I'm wondering how you deal with recovery? I
>still expect myself to refill the tank like I did years ago. Have you
>retained the same training regimen or built in some more recovery time?
>
>Next season I'm going to try some longer events (a marathon, 1 or 2 half
>IM and one full), so over the winter I thought I'd do more long distance
>training with more rest time in between.
>
>Any thoughts or experience from AARP card holders appreciated.
>Eric

Well, I'm 56, about to do my 8th Ironman - all since turning 50, so I
guess I qualify to answer. <g>

Yeah, you need a little more time to recover. Or at least I do,
especially from the long run and/or long brick.

In peak training, I include at least one "sacred" rest day per week,
and schedule Friday as a light day of swimming (no running/biking)
before the longer stuff on weekends.

You have to listen more closely to your body and be willing to ease up
when it says to.

I think a recovery period in off season is essential, too. A time to
be casual about exercise and do fun stuff.

And I heartily second Peggy's comments on reloading immediately after
workouts.

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"

10-14-2004, 11:24 AM

Mike Tennent wrote:

> You have to listen more closely to your body and be willing to ease up
> when it says to.
>

Mike, I listen to my body when it has something to say that I want to
hear, which is less and less frequently these days. If we really pay
close attention, some part is always whispering to us *please don't use
me* and *let's go for a rock in that nice chair* and all sorts of other
self-indulgent nonsense. I even wonder if those of us who are still
hoofing it are those who are least attentive to our fussing tendons and
joints. I do think it's important to distinguish between ache of
fatigue and the pain of injury.

Ruth Kazez

10-18-2004, 06:30 AM

rtk <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>
>Mike Tennent wrote:
>
>> You have to listen more closely to your body and be willing to ease up
>> when it says to.
>>
>
> I even wonder if those of us who are still
>hoofing it are those who are least attentive to our fussing tendons and
>joints. I do think it's important to distinguish between ache of
>fatigue and the pain of injury.
>
>Ruth Kazez

When I get out of bed in the morning I sound like a bowl of Rice
Krispies, but it beats the alternative. <g>

I've always hated that phrase "no pain, no gain" because it indicates
you can run/train through pain. Discomfort yes, but not pain.

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"