I really look forward to this time of year: the weather is warming up and the Multisport World Conference and Expo at MIT is two weeks away which Ali and I are presenting the Strength Training for the Multisport Athlete - it all means the race season is right around the corner. Lastly, it's spring break time at the university. For me, this means some time to catch up on sleep and take advantage of some extra time to train. This week is my training camp and here is how it has started.

FRI: Workout#1 - Swim 5.1K Aerobic intervals. Workout#2 - Brick, Bike 2.5 hrs with a 50' interval at 88-95%, Run 30' transition run
SAT: Workout#1 - Bike 4 hrs with 2 hrs of race pace simulation
SUN: Workout#1 - Brick, Bike 6 hrs including pace line skills practice with Threshold Cycling Team, Run 30' transition run. Workout#2 - Strength Training, Power emphasis followed by a 30' high cadence spin for recovery.
MON: Workout#1 - Swim 4K with a 1650 time trial. Workout#2 - Bike 4 hrs endurance (not including a 30' stop in Concord Center for a muffin and  to talk cycling and training of sorts with Skip Foley?)

It has taken years to learn what my body responds to. And it is volume. Then I will slowly add in small amounts of intensity to give my body another boost in fitness. This week provides a perfect time for me to do it. The key will be to find the right amount of cycling training to mix in with triathlon training as I am spending the first part of the season bike racing and will then transition to triathlon. The second key element will be my recovery methods - really dialing in on recovery nutrition as well as sleep, making sure I get 8-9 hours per night and a 30 min nap if possible at least 2-3 times during the week (can't remember the last time I took one of those). Bottom line, I really enjoy this type of training - the long workouts and challenging your body to see what it can achieve; what can you adapt to, and what can you overcome.

First bike race of the year is slated for March 28 in Marblehead, MA at the Michael Schott Memorial Circuit Race . The triathlon season opens at the Hopkinton Season Opener on May 9.

Get out and train!!!