"Of course life in cycling is hard. But what you gonna do, complain?" - Former US Postal Team co-director, Dirk Demol
I use this quote mainly for my friends here in the midwest sitting in the middle of the 3rd worst snow storm, at least in Chicago history. Yet, like the hearty types we are, we find ways to survive and thrive.
On the athlete side, we definitely don't hibernate, quite the contrary. We heat up indoor health clubs with the Midwest Indoor Tri Series, which started this past Sunday and runs through the end of February. Its a great way for people who have never done a tri to ease into the sport from a familiar setting - thier health club, to pros who are looking to check winter fitness and win some money in the process.
So this past Sunday I and others jumped in at the Wheaton Sports Center to go head to head for the first time of the season. The field was quality, with guys like Ryan Guiliano and Michael Boehmer competing, and Brianna Boehmer and a strong Wisconsin contingent racing as well. For me, it was great to go head to head with guys I will see all season, helps build some comraderie, as well as give me a sense as to where I stack up against them. And thanks to a revamped training program, I am happy to say I was right there, neck and neck with Guiliano, unfortunately having to back off on the second half of the run, due to stomach cramps. I finished the race by crossing the finish line and running to the bathroom to vomit, realizing I still need to work on that hydration. But my legs were there, and that was evidence that CFE is working.
However CFE isn't the only thing that's been helping me as of late. Aside from improved nutrtion, particularly from Stronger, Faster, Healthier, I am following swim workouts from Robert Burgholzer who developed "Finding Freestyle", an innovative program that runs in perfect sync with the CFE approach. The accident left my right shoulder with a hitch in my stroke, and it would have posed a bigger issue if not for Finding Freestyle.
I met Robert thanks to my sponsorship with First Endurance, and this revolutionary training program has been a huge help in my swimming. Finding Freestyle utilizes a very no-nonsense approach to getting faster in the water. Robert recognized to swim faster, your technique has to be better. The idea of "muscling through" the swim portion of a tri is wasted energy and not necessary. 4 weeks into his program, and my hitch is gone, my kick is stronger than ever, and I feel much more aero in the water. And I still have 8 weeks to go!
For someone who follows a CFE regimen, extra yardage isn't something I look for. Finding Freestyle's work perfectly b/c there are no wasted drills, no wasted time in the water. The entire workout, you are moving, and improving. Yes, you have to be dedicated to working on the drills and following the workouts to the letter, but if you do, the results are there for you. I know its easy to get frustrated, especially in the water, b/c it does take work to get faster. But don't waste that time just doing repeats with poor form. You won't get faster, but you will get more frustrated. So check out www.findingfreestyle.com, it will definitely help you reach your swim goals. Stop beating your head against your kickboard, and check this out. And Robert is extremely helpful, he genuinely wants people to get faster, so shoot him an email with questions. You'll be glad you did.
Stay strong,
Guy
