Sunday, April 27, 2008

Race Completed!


Well, my first race of the season is now over and I am happy to say I didn't injure myself. My sprint training since the birth of my daughter has been sketchy so my expectations for this first 100 meter were very low. I took fourth in my heat (out of 9 competitors) and ran a very slow time of 12.2 seconds. I felt my hamstrings and calves start to cramp at around 60 meters and I slowed it down and let several athletes pass me. If I had not slow down I think I would have pulled a hamstring or strained both calves. Racing is a huge shock to my body and I could tell that my body is not in race shape......not in the slightest. But that is what first races are for. Soreness today is unreal....glutes and hamstrings and obliques are fried! Feels good though!

I basically jogged as 12.2 seconds 100 meter which lets me know that I'm doing okay. If had been able to hold on I think I would have ran closer to 11.6 or 11.7. Definitely need to add some longer sprints into my training and more importantly, I just need to get out twice a week on the track. Overall I am happy I didn't injure anything and that I wil live to run another meet! I think my next meet is in June so that gives me some time to prepare! I have to keep things in perspective....running a business, new baby, keeping my marriage good, family stuff, personal growth study, bible study.....I only have so much time to dedicate to sprinting as I am entering a different time in my life. That perspective makes me less upset because realistically I have other obligations that require alot of energy and passion. It only means I have to be more disciplined with the little time I do have to train and FOCUS!

In talking with the Women's Track Coach for San Diego State University Mike LoBue, he gave me some great training advice to increase my finishing strength in the 100 meters as well as teach my body to handle the lactate better! It basically goes like this; run any where from 150 meters to 300 meters at about 85% speed, rest 45 seconds, and them immediately run a 50 meters at 100% speed. While pre-fatigueing your legs and then running the all out 50 meter sprint, you are training your body to sprint when your blood lactate levels are super high. This allows you to supercompensate so to speak so that finishing a 100 or 200 meters in competition will feel better.
I don't know about you guys, but I am so EXCITED for the Beijing Olympics this summer. Of course I am most excited for what will happen in the track and field world. American sprinter Tyson Gay looks to be the favorite and for a reason!

18 comments:

Franklin said...

Congratulations on a great first race of the season! It was very wise of you to let up before tearing something. You will obviously only get faster as you train more for this event.

I certainly can relate to the issue of life's big responsibilities eating into your personal training time. But at the same time, giving yourself this gift of personal training will make you better person. This in turn will assist in better handling life's big responsibilities.

Franz Snideman said...

Thanks Franklin! I definitely did not want to get injured so pulling up was the best option. I finished the race, although very slowly, but overall I am pleased I got one under my belt!

And I agree with you that I need to give myself the gift of training and competition as it will make me a better man!

Keats Snideman CSCS, CK-FMS, LMT said...

Nice work brother! Many people could train for months and not even run a 12.2.

Get in some focused and at least semi-consistent training and you'll be down in the mid-11's no problem.

Like you, my time to train is limited with family obligations, work, school (taking 2 on-line course right now; a real CHALLENGE), and life.

In fact this is my first blog post in several months!

Rannoch Donald said...

Not sure where I picked it up but the phrase "excellence does not require perfection" has stuck with me this past week.

Your result is impressive but more impressive is the commitment to make it happen. There is nothing, nothing in this world, more exhausting than that first child!

Keep doing what you are doing!

All the best

Rannoch

Franz Snideman said...

thanks Keatsie!

I've got to get more consistent with my training....it will happen!

Franz Snideman said...

Rannoch,

Thanks for your post! It is great to get encouragement from fellow RKC brothers and of course, you are a father with alot more experience than I have. Your encouragement strengthens me!

Thank you!

Howie B said...

God speed Franz! Stay healthy for that family of yours. But fly like the wind!!

Franz Snideman said...

Thanks Howie! Gotta stay fit and healthy for the family.....but gotta get some competition in as well!!!

Hope you are well!!!

Howie B said...

I'm well thanks. Healing up while trying to prepare for RKC. I watched the grad workout from this past weekend and am now stoked!

Franz Snideman said...

Awesome Howie! The RKC in August should be a blast! You will do well!

Delaine R said...

COngratulations! Way to listen to your body.

Thanks for the article compliments - and by the way, great new video!

Franz Snideman said...

Thanks Delaine! Glad that things are going really well for you!

Keep it up!

Mike T Nelson said...

Nice work Franz!
I know it is not the time you wanted nor is it a top performance from you, but considering everything that you have going on you still showed up to compete. Many just never show up.

Keep up the great work
Mike N

Mark Reifkind said...

great job man! the most important thing being that you competed and DID NOT get hurt. excellent start and that is the key. I too am so excited about the summer olympics. it is the only sporting event that I really care about, although much less lately than in the past. always been an individual sports guy.
keep it up!

Franz Snideman said...

Thanks Mike T!

Showing up is half the fun....the other half is the results....but those will come! The good news is that the comp prompted me to train 3 days a week on the track which is much better for me!!

Franz Snideman said...

Mark,

Thanks! Yes, not getting injured is an added bonus! I've decided to amp up my training volume on the track. As Yoana so brilliantly stated, why don't you train on the track more if that is what you want to be good at?

Makes sense, huh? Those that is what I am doing. Twice a week in the gym, three times a week on the track. Already it is making a huge difference!

Olympics should rock this year...I always love watching track and field and gymnastics....both individual sports :)

Adam Davila, Owner at Active Posture Care said...

Hey Franz what's up Buddy... Congratulations on your baby she is awesome. Looks like you guys are still crankin keep up the great work. I don't know when I'll be back in S.D. I committed to an eight month Yoga teacher training program so I'm pretty limited on my time right now. I always enjoy going to S.D. I will definitely drop by if I get over there. I would love to see you and Yoanna and the baby. Is there anything new going on in the RKC world?

Adam Davila
www.adamtraining.com

Franz Snideman said...

Adam

thanks brother! Parenthood is awesome. I could never imagine it would be as special as this!

Cool that you are always continuing your education...you are one educated trainer...that is for sure!

RKC is still great! It just keeps getting bigger and bigger. You should look into the new RKC FMC cert!