This Week in Training: Base Phase – Week 10….
The Last Week of Base Phase
Time is moving faster than I’d like. Somehow, we’re already at the last week of the base phase. That feels both good and slightly terrifying.
Overall, not a bad week. I officially backed down to the Just Finish plan with some modifications, so it’s really more like “Just Finish+” or maybe “Intermediate-,” depending on how generous I’m feeling. Basically: less dumb, still enough work.
I think it’s the right call. My wrists agree.
Swim 🏊
- Workouts: 2
- Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
- Total Distance: 4,025 yards
This was a nice middle ground — a step back from the 5,000 yards in the Intermediate plan, but a step up from the 3,600 yards in the Just Finish plan. Exactly where I wanted it. Enough work without feeling like I’m auditioning for shoulder surgery.
Bike 🚴
- Workouts: 5 (over three days)
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Total Distance: 64 miles
Two of these were commute rides, which absolutely count because I said so.
The long ride was a two-hour Peloton Power Zone Endurance ride, and it was hard. I much prefer riding outside, but I stayed indoors to save my wrists a bit and because the structure of the power zone ride is good discipline. Suffering with purpose.
Run 🏃
- Workouts: 4
- Total Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
- Total Distance: 14 miles
This landed about right for the plan, though I shuffled things around a bit. I ran an extra 4.5 miles earlier in the week so I could just do a 5K on Sunday (today) instead of the planned 7.5 miles. Sometimes logistics wins.
I’ll get back to a dedicated long run next week.
Total Training Time 🧮
- Total Time This Week: 7 hours 32 minutes
A little down from Week 8, but still a bit above what the standard Just Finish plan would call for. Honestly, I think this is the sweet spot. I’d rather train consistently here than keep pretending I’m 32.
TrainingPeaks Metrics 📈
- Fitness: 82
- Fatigue: 121
- Form: -38
All good. Much healthier than the “why are my wrists trying to leave my body” phase.
Reflections ✍️
This feels sustainable. That matters more than chasing bigger numbers for the sake of ego.
I think I’ll stay in this middle lane for a while — enough work to improve, not so much that I break myself before summer even starts. Once school is out and I have more flexibility, I can ramp smarter.
For now: consistency over heroics.
Base Phase is done. The Build Phase is next.
First, though, I’m going to ice my wrists. They still hurt.