Written by Suzanne Atkinson
I recently completed an intensive one week training course in Coronado, CA to become an official Total Immersion Coach. This past week was just the beginning of my Total Immersion training, and I look forward to bringing what I learned back to Pittsburgh. To all my swimmers, I apologize it's taken me so long to get this additional training. I'm am so excited to introduce you to not only the stroke work and mindfulness that I learned, but also the techniques of stroke modulation, finding your gears and tempo training. You can read about my week in a day by day diary in my blog right here (go to the menu, click on blog, then Total Immersion). Thanks to all the coaches who helped out, especially Terry Laughlin, Dave Cameron, Kim and KarenKeep an eye out on the services page for Total Immersion Swim Training lessons and clinics, or email me if you would like to be placed on the short list for Total Immersion training.
Written by Suzanne Atkinson
Mike Quigley negotiates Leadville 100s Race Across the Sky and earns a silver finisher's buckle and a time of 11:29:30. Mike began specific training with Steel Ctiy Endurance head coach Suzanne Atkinson six months prior to his main event. Coordinating Mike's family time became one of their biggest challenges in training for the ultra endurance Mountain Bike marathon. Mike's training plan built a foundation of strong threshold and VO2 max work in the early season, following the "strong before long" periodization philosophy of Steel City Endurance for ultradistance athletes.
As the race became closer, Mike transitioned into longer endurance rides at a moderate paces while he and Coach Suzanne zeroed in on proper 'race pace' for an event whose starting line is at 10,000 feet. Two weeks before the race, Mike was doing back to back rides of six hours each combined with plenty of climbing work around the short steep hills in Pittsburgh.
The Leadville 100 is a 50 mile out and back course starting in Leadville, CO at an elevation of 10,000 feet and peaking at over 14,000 feet on the 3000 foot climb to Columbine mine. It was first run in 1984 and is one of the best know ultra marathon mountain bike events.
See the full finishing results of the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race here.
Written by Suzanne Atkinson
Steel City Endurance athlete (and 2nd cousin) Courtney Tobin ran her best 5k yet with a time of 28:59. She took 3rd place in the Beat the Sheriff 5k in Iverness, FL. Even though she didn't Beat the Sheriff, she beat her previous 5k personal best by nearly a minute with only 3 1/2 weeks of structured training. Living in Florida means hot, humid weather, so Courtney prefers to train indoors. After her last race she was determined to improve her time and not walk at all. Coach Suzanne started her on a custom designed training plan taking into account her current fitness and training modality...the treadmill.
A four week plan of mixed pace intervals, with only 3 runs per week allowed her adequate recovery while preparing her body to run faster and complete the race without walking. Good luck to Courtney in future 5ks. With the winter coming, hopefuly some outdoor training will be tolerable.
Congratulations Courtney!
More Articles...
- Successful Group Tactics Makes Migno a Success
- Exploding Winter Base Training Myths
- Mike Walther Stomps IM Florida
- Steel City Athletes Crush 24 Hours of Big Bear
- Carol Clemens Wins 12 Hours of Santos
- Holly Forsyth wins National 24 Hour Series
- Lee-Ann Wins 3rd Place
- Lee-Ann winning Best All-Around Rider
- Holly Forsyth Wins Big Bear
- Quick Dry Logo Shirts
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