Team,

We’re in week 4. We’ve reached the first of many recovery weeks. Recovery is extremely important. If we told you that you’d prepare for an Ironman by resting, you’d think we were nuts. But really, without recovery, your body will break down. You get stronger by stressing your body, and then resting. It is only during rest that you rebuild, and become more prepared for the next workout.

Obviously, you rest some every day (hopefully). We do not workout 24 hours a day, and sleep is the most important recovery time. We take every Monday as a rest day, and once every 4 weeks we reduce the training load, to let your body catch up. Recovery week does not mean no workouts. Your volume will go down. The intensity will tend to be lower. But more importantly, YOU need to concentrate on recovery. In our busy lives, sleep sometimes is sacrificed in an effort to fit everything in. Don’t do this… especially on recovery weeks. The key is to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. It knows when you need rest.

This coming Sunday’s workout will be our second Ironman University. We’ll be meeting at FIT to get a better understanding of strength exercises and how to do them correctly.

Thanks in advance to Thom Downing and the trainers at FIT for donating their time and location for our strength training clinic. Look for more info from Coach Ann for details on the time for your group to attend.

Just because we’re in a recovery week, doesn’t mean we don’t work out!

Look for this week’s Captain’s Message for other workout opportunities throughout the week.

Stay strong, go long, and don’t eat too much Halloween candy!

Your coaches,
Ann, Chris, Steve and Dan

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