The magic wand

As I alluded with my last post, I had finally thrown in the towel and decided to recruit some extra, expert assistance with my training. After two years in the game of triathlon and just plodding along by myself I joined Tri Alliance to add some guidance to the effort I was putting in.
Since then I have seen plenty of gain but again was happily plodding along. Admitedly I am seeing plenty of improvement and have exceeded many of my original goals there remain a couple that have remained elusive.

After five years of racing and recently adding the badge of Ironman to my list of achievements I am still struggling to shed the extra weight I carry into each race I complete. Let me tell you, 98kg is a lot to carry over 42.2 km. There are a couple of reasons I am wanting to trim down as well, I mean, aside from the obvious, I am interested in getting closer to the pointy end of the field rather than hanging out in the middle of the pack. My Kona shot may be years away but I don't want to end my racing days without experiencing that day. So, with all that in mind I am using this "off-season" to make some changes.

This is my new To Do List:

1 - Get the body right and take care of the niggles
2 - Educate myself about nutrition to finally get into shape

Part one is underway - kind of.
Calf strains have been an ongoing problem for me. I've said it many times, if something is going to go, it'll be my calf. This has been a true statement for some time and I've been managing the problem fairly successfully via the use of compression sleeves. More recently however, a stabbing pain in my heel has proven my assumption false. A little Google search this morning has lead to a self diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis. Looks like my tight calf problem has gone and dominoed on me.
The plan is (and has been for a few weeks) to make use of my blue ribbon extra health care and begin a treatment regimen. Unfortunately I haven't made the planned phone to set it up... I know, I know. What I have done is sign up for a series of strength and conditioning sessions with a view to improving the mechanics and efficiency of movement. One of the greatest improvements I saw last season came from the run training I did, it was only six weeks, two sessions per week but it gave me the tools I needed. With the S&C sessions I'm looking to identify any issues and again, develop the tools to correct them.

I'm going to give this point a half tick and make a phone call on Monday - promise

Point two's work has begun, last Monday evening after work I visited the offices of my new Sports Nutritionist; Margaret Mielczarek (Sometimes known as "a girl on a bike") for my much anticipated first appointment. We discussed my diet and current exercise load and therefore what I should be eating. Turns out several of the "healthy choices" I had added to my diet weren't as healthy as I assumed. Not that I have been eating poorly, more that I'd been eating the right things but in the wrong proportions. Too much fruit - back to two serves a day; nuts and seeds - instead of daily, a couple times a week; salad veg - as much as I like, I just need to "like" more I guess. We discussed the good nutrition plate and what to fill the sections of it with. One week has passed and at times it's been difficult to adhere to and I do believe I've already consumed my annual quota of carrots but to reach my goals, it's gotta be done. Initial consult is done and I already have booked three follow-up sessions to check and correct my progress.

There mightn't be a magic wand, but life's too short not to tri..