EDITOR’S NOTE: Meet Veronica McHugh, a participant in the locally-based Killer Tri Program. Veronica is using the Killer Tri Program to help prepare and train properly for her first triathlon — the Strawberry Fields short course in Oxnard on July 17.
After making the decision to do it, Veronica is currently attacking her training six days a week. We will be following her progress throughout her training so check back soon for more stories from Veronica as well as all relevant triathlon news in Santa Barbara throughout the summer.
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Last week was perfect Triathlon training weather. It’s a good thing, because I had a full training schedule given to me by Bob (Wilcher) and Kyle (Visin).
My basic training week looks something like this:
- Monday: Group cycling workout at Killer B Fitness with either Kyle or Bob
- Tuesday: Long endurance run, usually about an hour long
- Wednesday: Master’s Swim (or Nite Moves now that the season has started)
- Thursday: Group track workout with either Kyle or Bob
- Friday: Master’s Swim
- Saturday: Long endurance bike ride, usually about 2 hours
Bob and Kyle offer hands-on training twice a week, with personalized coaching. Each week offers different, structured workouts to help us improve our fitness, endurance, and strength. When we aren’t training with Bob and Kyle, they provide us with a detailed schedule of exactly what our workouts should be.
Kyle Visin's heart rate zones
The first week I signed up for Killer Tri, Bob and Kyle had me test my fitness levels at the track and on the bike. These tests determined my heart rate zones as well as my speed (running) or watts (cycling) that correspond with those zones.
Now that I know my heart rate zones, each workout is tailored around them. My long run last week was 5 minutes in zone 1, 20 minutes in zone 2, 10 minutes in zone 3, and then 10 minutes in zone 2. Everyone gets the same workout; each person just adjusts their speed and heart rate to fit in the zones based on the fitness test.
Even though my husband and I tested a little bit differently, Mike and I were still able to do this endurance run together. We were able to run at the same pace, while both staying in our proper heart rate zones.
It’s always nice to have someone to push you when you are exercising, and most of the workouts we do are in a group setting. The Master’s swim coach is always there to help with swimming form, or provide workouts based on your skill level.
My long endurance run I get to do with Mike, and the long endurance bike ride I do with Mike and my friend Shannon. Since the endurance run and bike ride are longer and at a lower heart rate zone, these workouts are fun to do with friends. I never realized how fast two hours would go by on a bike, but when you get to ride around Santa Barbara with your friends, the workouts become fun.
Since Nite Moves started last week, our training schedule has changed a little to accommodate the race. I am hoping to work up to being able to do the swim portion of the Nite Moves race as well as 5k run. I have never raced in the ocean, but I know I need to get used to it!
Killer Tri will be at Nite Moves, check out their tent for more info!
Other Killer Tri Blogs by Veronica:
Attack of the Killer Tri, Part I
Attack of the Killer Tri, Part II
Attack of the Killer Tri, Part III
