Brick Training

I have decided to begin brick training.   This is generally done for triathalons but I suppose you could figure out a way to do it for lots of different things.  The question I was asked was what is Brick training? and why are you starting it?   Brick training from what I am doing helps train and improve endurance and overall speed in a Duathlon and or Triathlons.   It is the way you teach your body to transition from one major endurance function to another.   both physically and from changing shoes, etc. 

Next June I have decided to do the High Cliff Half Ironman.   Like I said in my previous post I am now addicted to putting those stickers on the back of my car.   I crave the 70.3 sticker which is the half iron man.   for some reason the thought of running 26 miles still does nothing for me which would seem easy compared to what will be roughly an 6 hour event!   

So I decided to do brick training and I did my first one last night.   I started by doing a 23 mile bike ride which is short but that is what I had time for.   I then came home and followed it with a two mile run.   This reiterated my point in doing this training.   

The issue with a bike to run transition is the way your legs have operated for the last hour or more you have been on your bike.   You put on your shoes and you would think that you would be mush, you couldn't do anything when the exact opposite is true.    I get off of my bike and take off like a bat out of hell.   The problem is now I am not sure I can keep that pace up.    

Here is a better example.   Go to a standard doorway in your house.  Stand in the door way with your wrists at waist level.   Keeping your wrists in their natural position move them outward till they are touching the door jam.  Now push outward on that door as if you were trying to widen that door for one solid minute as hard as you can.   NO CHEATING!  when that minute is up walk out of the doorway and watch what happens to your arms.       

This is the same affect you have from your legs.   When I get off of my bike my legs are so used to that motion that running is easy,  at least for a little while.    The purpose I now have with brick training is to teach my legs and heart that transition so come Iron man time I am not exhausting my muscles with a long distance left in the race.    

last night went really well and I had no issue with my two miles after my bike.   I will be curious to see what happens when I am done with a 50 or 60 mile ride and see how I feel then.   Wish me luck and will post more soon