I think the benefits of bricks are really based on your progress. I would say go by how they feel. Are your legs having a hard time transitioning from the bike to run? Are you feeling tight, is your gait off, are you unusually slow/fast during your bricks?
My understanding ("i'm not a coach" disclaimer and all) is that bricks exist to help the body get used to going from a quad intensive bike to a hamstring intensive run. If you're finding this is difficult, perhaps do two a week. If this is coming naturally, then one may be fine. The plan I'm on (albeit with a different trajectory -- 20 weeks out now) has only two bricks a month. I've upped it to one/week as I approach the HIM, but you get my meaning.
You're a great judge of your own progress and can tell where you are getting the most out of your training. Enjoy it and I can't wait to hear all about the sprint! Yeah!!
It's what my coach has me do :) I don't have any scientific basis for it, sorry Johnny. Although, I do my long run days "bike" one day and "run" the next to keep them in order.
I would not recommend more than one. And I would also not recommend one every week. You're taking a rest week every 2-3 weeks, right? No brick on rest weeks.
my coach only has me ever do one per week, and never on a rest week. its only to get your legs used to the run off the bike, so even a quick 15 minutes off the bike is good.
Ha! now I know I'm no coach - I brick when the mood strikes me - I almost always try to get a short run in after a bike - like a little 2 mile jog or something like that - unless it's a 'dedicated' brick day, then I'll try for at least an hour off the bike - those are once a week in a "peak" phase. When I was in "base", I rarely did any bricks - like I said, can't even pretend to be a coach! Like your open water site -
7 comments:
I think the benefits of bricks are really based on your progress. I would say go by how they feel. Are your legs having a hard time transitioning from the bike to run? Are you feeling tight, is your gait off, are you unusually slow/fast during your bricks?
My understanding ("i'm not a coach" disclaimer and all) is that bricks exist to help the body get used to going from a quad intensive bike to a hamstring intensive run. If you're finding this is difficult, perhaps do two a week. If this is coming naturally, then one may be fine. The plan I'm on (albeit with a different trajectory -- 20 weeks out now) has only two bricks a month. I've upped it to one/week as I approach the HIM, but you get my meaning.
You're a great judge of your own progress and can tell where you are getting the most out of your training. Enjoy it and I can't wait to hear all about the sprint! Yeah!!
I do one brick a week.
It's what my coach has me do :) I don't have any scientific basis for it, sorry Johnny. Although, I do my long run days "bike" one day and "run" the next to keep them in order.
Okay I was officially no help. Sorry!
I would not recommend more than one. And I would also not recommend one every week. You're taking a rest week every 2-3 weeks, right? No brick on rest weeks.
Coach Tammy,
Currently have been on a lot of rest so basically setting the stage for the next 27 days till race day.
I do have the 4 previous days before the race to totally slow down, take it easy and relax being as the next 3 weeks will be focused training.
Thanks for the insight IM ABLE and SkiRough, as I like the advice and will probably go with 1/week and see how the legs feel.
rockon`
Good question! I'll stick with one per week also :-)
my coach only has me ever do one per week, and never on a rest week. its only to get your legs used to the run off the bike, so even a quick 15 minutes off the bike is good.
Ha! now I know I'm no coach - I brick when the mood strikes me - I almost always try to get a short run in after a bike - like a little 2 mile jog or something like that - unless it's a 'dedicated' brick day, then I'll try for at least an hour off the bike - those are once a week in a "peak" phase. When I was in "base", I rarely did any bricks - like I said, can't even pretend to be a coach! Like your open water site -
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