Strength training in the off season

I had the misconception that I should plough all my efforts into improving my slow methodical pace whether it be in swimming, cycling or running. I know I’m never going to compete against the Brownlees…but I can dream. I know I’m never going to win an event…but it doesn’t stop me entering. And I know my mates who I enter events with are all faster than me…but it doesn’t stop me having fun and pushing myself.

I’ve posted a few blogs about tried and tested workout routines that I have been doing. Most of them so far have been about running faster, being quicker and improving stamina. These are all important elements for my training but I have learnt over the last few years that in order to train effectively I need structure.

A pre workout breakfast – Homemade Muesli

Other than good old bran flakes muesli is my favourite cereal.  I could eat it by the bucket full…but in my bid to eat clean I have steered away from the shop bought muesli as it contains all sorts of salts, sugars and preservatives.

I wanted something that would see me through my early swims, the Saturday triathlon club bike rides and the mid morning events that I’ve entered.

I found a really simple DIY healthy muesli recipe that I’ve adapted and tweaked to suit my taste buds.  Its packed full of goodness and keeps you going without the sugar crashes.

Supercharged healthy post-workout drink

Although this looks like pond water I tastes great!

Smoothies are an excellent idea, they take moments to make, they are packed full of goodness, you can control what you put in them…and more importantly you can control what to leave out.

It only has five ingredients and tastes amazing.

Pilates. Is it not just for girls?

My gym routine and training for triathlons was giving me a few aches, pains and my posture while swimming, cycling and running was not quite right.  The guys at Absolute Health were saying “Do Pilates”, my swim coach was saying “Do Pilates” and I thought I may as well give it a go.

Fitness workout plan for a new starter triathlete

Firstly I want to wish everyone a very happy New Year, and for those who have made resolutions I wish you well with completing them.  This is the first year in a long time I haven’t made any resolutions.  I find it hard to stick to them and if I am honest any resolutions I made I was already doing the previous year before.  One of the main recurring resolutions I had was to get myself fitter than I have ever been.

I was never a particular sporty kid.  I was absolutely always close to last at being picked for team games at school.  My parents are not sporty people and my mates, when growing up, we not sporty.

Only in the last few years have I decided to get myself fitter.  I wasn’t over weight, I wasn’t particularly unhealthy but I wanted to get fitter…and combat the emerging middle aged spread.  My main issue was that I didn’t know where or how to start.  I needed a bit of encouragement.