And The Training Continues….

I can hardly believe that in 3 weeks we will be setting out across the Alenuihaha channel and on our way to Maui! WOW! I have been training as much as I can – spending a lot of time in the gym, focusing on strength and balance training and of course, paddling. This week I went on a 4hr endurance paddle and a couple of shorter tempo paddles. The tempo paddles are a mix of steady paddling with ten minute high intensity sprints. It’s a great workout! The 4hr paddle is basic endurance – just keep paddling, nice and easy. Next week we’re aiming for 5hrs.

The most difficult thing I find about the paddling is choosing where to go. I prefer being able to paddle from Point A to Point B….this way I don’t cut my workouts short. The problem is finding the points that work for car/ocean access, wind direction, surf, etc. As you may remember in one of my previous posts, we were forced to exit at a less than perfect location. Luckily, my friends and I have gotten creative and managed to plan out some upcoming training routes that should work. This week we’re hoping to do get in an 11-mile downwind run and a 20+mile endurance paddle. Check back for updates!

As for the gym stuff, that is the easy part for me. I love working out! It probably helps that I have an amazing trainer who has come up with creative ways to help me train specifically for my races and this adventure. She incorporates stability balls, the indo board and TRX suspension training. Working out with her has done wonders for my core strength and balance! After 60-90 minutes of strength training I usually jump on the treadmill or indoor bike and bust out an hour of interval training. Then I go home, drink my chocolate milk and call it a day. Yes, the chocolate milk is the highlight of working out!!

Tomorrow, the goal is to get in a beach workout/run/paddle at work and then hit the gym for cardio and strength training! It’s going to be a busy day but time is running out… gotta go go go!!

Jenny