Never Too Late to Raise the Bar: My Journey to Oceanside
My Journey Begins
Age, fatigue, or even the voice in your head saying “it’s too late to start”—I’m here to remind you that it’s never too late. There’s a lot of talk about how a certain level of fitness (or a perfect plan) is mandatory before diving into endurance sports, but that’s about as real as telling yourself you need a hefty trust fund to begin investing. Just like a small initial deposit can turn into exponential returns over time, incremental progress in your training—day after day—adds up to major gains. And when you see people like Lionel Sanders (whom we fondly call Mr. No Limits) pushing hard without boundaries, you realize potential is only capped if you let it be.
Zwift Games as a Power Test
When an opportunity to join the Zwift Games presented itself, I jumped at the chance. This virtual bike race became my unplanned but perfect way to perform an FTP (Functional Threshold Power) test. Much like a healthy financial portfolio, measuring and tracking your fitness metrics is essential to making informed decisions. For better or worse, it’s a real-time snapshot of where you stand.
Despite carrying the usual burden of training fatigue, I held an average power reflecting an FTP of 387. Yes, it felt tough. My heart was pounding like an overheated engine, but this high-intensity training session made me realize I’m trending in the right direction—much like watching your investments jump on a favorable market swing.
Kicking Off the Day: 70.3 Swim, 25 Minutes or Bust
Before I even got to my bike, I’d already tackled a 70.3-specific swim aimed at breaking 25 minutes, a key marker in my preparation for competition. Swimming may look gentle on the surface, but it’s demanding when you push for performance. Essentially, there’s no free time in water—you either move with efficiency or you exhaust yourself chasing above-average pace. When you approach it with that mindset, every stroke counts.
From Virtual Rides to Track Workouts
With a solid morning under my belt, I added the Zwift Games race to my Training Stress Score (TSS). I like to think of TSS as a credit score for athletes; the higher it goes, the more trust (and stress) your body is taking on. But too many missed payments (a.k.a. recovery sessions) and you can spiral quickly.
Then it was time to lace up the running shoes. Meeting Sam Long—an athlete who, like me, thrives on stepping out of comfort zones—was an immediate jolt of motivation. We kicked off the session with a 6K tempo run. If you think of the tempo run as stable, consistent deposits into your fitness account, the subsequent six 1K intervals are like high-stakes stocks with big payoffs—intense and demanding but delivering massive returns if done correctly.
Why Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Matters
I often reflect on those times when training felt easier. Of course, I was younger, more carefree. But, like a seasoned investor, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen by sitting back. High-intensity training not only tests the boundaries of your mental and physical capabilities, it expands them. Endurance sports—whether it’s cycling, running, or swimming—are all about pushing the envelope, reevaluating your limits, and discovering how your current “maximum” is just a stop along the way, not the final station.
So, if you’re telling yourself you might be too old or too unprepared for your next goal—be it the Oceanside race or your first local 5K—trust me: all it takes to see exponential returns is the willingness to put that first chip on the table. The sum of small but consistent actions can be tremendous.
Final Thoughts
In truth, days like these remind me why I love endurance sports. They center on resilience—on forging ahead through sweaty challenges and forging deeper connections with fellow athletes. It goes beyond performance or final outcomes; it’s about discovering new thresholds—both physically and mentally—and tapping into strengths.
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What is the Zwift Games?
The Zwift Games is a virtual cycling competition that the vlogger participated in as part of his high-intensity training regimen. It serves as a platform for cyclists to engage in competitive races from any location.
What is Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and why is it important?
Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is a measure of the highest average power output a cyclist can maintain for an hour. It's crucial for assessing fitness and performance in endurance cycling, helping athletes gauge their training effectiveness and develop race strategies.
What did the vlogger achieve during the Zwift Games event?
During the Zwift Games event, the vlogger used it as an impromptu FTP test and achieved an FTP of 387. This indicates that his fitness is improving and moving in the right direction despite the high training load he is carrying.
What were the components of the vlogger's training day?
The vlogger's training day included participating in the Zwift Games (a virtual bike race), completing a 70.3 specific swim, and meeting with athlete Sam Long for a run session. The run session featured a 6K tempo run followed by six 1K intervals.
Why does the vlogger value stepping out of comfort zones during training?
The vlogger emphasizes the importance of challenging oneself and stepping out of comfort zones in order to improve performance. This approach helps to enhance fitness levels, build endurance, and prepare better for competitive events.
What is the significance of a 70.3 specific swim in the vlogger's training?
A 70.3 specific swim refers to training for the swimming portion of a half Ironman race, which is 70.3 miles long in total. This is crucial for the vlogger's preparation for the upcoming race in Oceanside, with a goal to complete the swim in under 25 minutes.
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