Movin' On Up

I've been working out pretty consistently now for the past 1 1/2 months, and am trying to continue to build my base leading up to the training plan. I keep going back and forth on how I want to approach the training. Some people look to be starting a training plan already, which I'm being told is too soon. I want to make sure I do EVERYTHING I can to prepare myself mentally in order to make it to the finish, but I also don't want to get burnt out (physically and mentally) by going for it too early. This week I've done 2 OTF classes so far, one swim lesson/training and nothing else. I plan to run 6-8 miles in the morning with another dip in the pool after, and then probably a break the next day, Sunday. I really need to get on the bike more, but I just loath the trainer! 30 minutes doesn't seem nearly long enough, while 60 feels like an eternity. I just can't wait for the weather to warm up and get some outside riding in, as well as with other folks to keep me company. I also need to get used to the new bike and especially the aero bars. The Shelbyville Tri series is coming up and I'm still on the fence about whether or not to do it. If I do, I'll end up using the road bike only, and more than likely sign up the day-of. At this point I wonder how, if one workout 4-5 days a week is draining me, I'm going to survive up to 6 days a week with sometimes 2 workouts a day. Not to mention juggling all of this with running a business. It definitely gets a little overwhelming at times, and then I read things on-line or peruse the FB pages of others' doing IMLOU and it makes it all seem worth it. I'm certain I'm not the only one who feels this way....

IMLOU

So Ironman Louisville will probably be sold out by the end of the day today, which makes me so happy that I signed up when I did. My goal was to do one before 40, and 2015 is the last year to do that. I also wanted to do it in my hometown for a few reasons.... 1) The support of my friends, family and ESPECIALLY the Louisville Landsharks Tri Club who have been nothing less than encouraging over the past 6 years. 2) The finish line is apparently one of the best for IM races and 3) I absolutely LOVE the city of Louisville and getting to achieve this goal in my favorite town just tops it off. My base building continues to go well, and I've now gotten to the point that I can't seem to go more than one day without working out. I've had an extremely stressful last few weeks including a dog that just can't seem to get well, the ending of a romantic relationship, and being super-busy either seeing clients or doing other kinds of work in the practice, have made the motivation to get out and get my butt moving a bit difficult. But... After that 8-miler Saturday followed by Sunday's easy thirty minute spin and a break on Monday, I was jonesing to get my sweat on last night so out came another half-hour spin on the tri bike. I'll be getting back in the water on Friday, despite my previous thoughts on putting that off until I get some coaching in. I was encouraged by my unofficial training buddy Rennay, who will also be doing her first IM in Louisville with me, to get some laps in with her and a few of our friends after work. So... after tonight's Orange Theory workout, followed up by another possible rest day tomorrow (unless the bike, once again, calls my name), I'll be free-stroking it Friday, followed by another outdoor run with the Norton's group Saturday morning, followed by yet another OTF workout that morning. I believe I've earned a bit of a lazy Sunday this coming weekend. Ah..... the sweet feel of the couch under my bum and some Netflix.

Base Building

First long run of the season yesterday - 8 miles. Planned on only 3-4, and when I arrived at the Norton training location my "coach" planned on 7. By the time it was all said and done we got roped into 8 miles total, which was fine by me. It was a crisp, sunny morning and some snow had fallen the night before. There were some icy patches along the way, but the route made up for it with mostly flat terrain and good company. I had 3 Ironman veterans running with me, who have a collective total of at least 8 IM races under their belt, so I took the opportunity to bend their ear about training and racing for the "beast." The 8 miles didn't feel like that distance since there was either talking or listening the entire route, and my running mates kept me going when I wanted to slow down. I averaged a 10:24 pace, which is great for me considering this is normally my race-pace. Jeff (aka Coach) told me later on at the Landshark Social that this just proves that my race pace is faster than I think, and I need to be running it that way. I can see I'm gonna get no slack with this guy - and that's okay. Did an easy 30 minute spin on the bike this morning, where I set up my Garmin 920xt so I know exactly how fast and how many miles I'm doing. I'm a bit of a numbers nerd so I like knowing this information. Plus, with the cadence sensor, I can see that I'm averaging 64 rpm, which is where I'm supposed to be - giving me a little bit of hope that I'm doing things right. Anyway, a little sore this morning from yesterday's run, but I guess I better get used to that. Carlos, one of my running mates yesterday, told me that during training, even if I am so tired that I can't manage the planned training day, to at least get out and do a 1-2 hour walk. I'm thinking that's a good idea. I already feel better after doing that bike ride than I would if I just meandered around the house all day with sore legs and abs from yesterday's run. Today I'll be looking into the training plan once again, and seeing where the plan falls if I just start the full IM training on time, and incorporate Muncie into that, instead of doing BOTH plans and beginning full IM training 6 weeks in. Hopefully it will be enough, coupled with my current base-building training, to get me to Muncie's finish line.

New Year, New Training Plan

I've consistently been working out 4-5 days a week now for the past month or so, and I believe my body is getting used to additional workouts while tired. I've been on the bike trainer probably 5+ times this month, and actually set up the tri bike to get a feel for it, as well as the aero bars which I have never used before. The bike itself is fairly comfy, and the aero position definitely puts less pressure on the biggest part of my butt-bone, but I can't say that it's gonna be exactly "fun" cruising on that thing for 6-8 hours come October. My Orange Theory workouts continue, and I really feel like they've impacted my endurance and strength in a positive way. I typically do no more than 3 miles during any one workout with them, but today I was able to do an 8 miler with only a few walk breaks for water and up the last hill. I felt mostly good throughout, and having the company of veteran Ironmen (and women) helped since I was able to bend their ear about training tips, the race itself, etc. One thing that I believe I may have to change my mind about is the start of my training. The Muncie half IM is on July 10th, which places my first week of the 20-week training program on February 23rd. I'm being told this is way too early to train, especially since IMLOU isn't until October, and that I'm gonna be burnt out if I start that soon. One of my tri friends, Jeff (a 5x IM finisher) tells me that if I start at the beginning of May and increase my bike rides by 5 miles every weekend leading up to Muncie, then I should be fine (if that first ride starts at 30 miles). It definitely makes sense, and I know that I can do the half-marathon that follows because I've done approximately 24 already. Again, it's the bike that always concerns me. I've not been in the pool for nearly a month. At first it was because I had a terrible cold that lasted 1-2 weeks, and then it was the thought of stripping down and jumping into the water while the outside temp was 30 degree (yes, yes, the pool is INSIDE, but still. I'm a winter-wimp and I don't enjoy being cold at all). Mostly though, and this isn't an excuse, I really want to work with a coach for a few sessions on my swimming before I dive back in (pun intended) to ensure that I'm using the proper technique swimming at my best efficiency. Since the training isn't starting until late-February however, I don't see the sense of starting with the swim coach until the week prior to, or maybe even of, that first training week. And I can honestly say this is not procrastination talking - but more so I feel that it makes good sense to not be logging a bunch of "junk meters" in the pool if I'm not swimming correctly or efficiently. That's that. So, in summary, I'm still on the fence about when to start training. Perhaps I'll check the scheduled and incorporate the workouts on the schedule into my already-established workouts - just not stick to it verbatim or do daily or twice-a-day workouts that it sometimes calls for. Again, I want to make sure I am prepared for the "Big Dance," but I don't want to burn myself out either, and hate life come June.

Damn You Germs!

After a week of being sick with what I would describe as one of the worst colds I've ever had, I finally got a chance to get a workout in today. That wasn't necessarily the plan, but after 5 days of feeling like poo-poo, the last 3 coughing my head off, I had anticipated spending this last day before starting another work week resting on the couch to ensure that I was well enough to make it into the office to see my clients and not have to cancel any appointments. But after getting some homemade chili in me, and vegging out to 22 Jump Street, my body couldn't take the laziness anymore and was just BEGGING to get in a little sweat session. (Side note: This is how I know I'm an actual "athlete" now and not just going through some phase - when my body actually goes through withdrawal from exercise after a certain period of time, and I'm jonesing for some kind of physical activity). Not really feeling up to a swim just yet, I decided to go at it with the trainer once again. I still had at least the second half of Scrooged to watch since my last ride, so I climbed upon my humble steed and off we went for a 60-minute spin. I have to say, the hour went by fairly quickly and I felt great afterwards. Not only physically, but mentally as well. I'm really looking forward to getting the tri bike on the trainer at some point and trying my hand at that new piece of machinery - in fact, I'm not sure why I don't at this point. My Garmin 920 won't be in for almost another month or so, so there's really no reason for me to NOT hop on and get some time in the saddle. I think it still intimidates me, though. I need to just get over that part of it, I know, because heck - I did just drop a few dollars on the sucker and it is (supposedly) gonna make me a more efficient and faster triathlete, so what am I waiting for? I also got some new gear for the bike, and for my up-and-coming amateur triathlete career - a water bottle for the aero position (I'm sure there is a technical name for this, but I couldn't tell you what it is at this point), some nutrition for my training and practice-races, a Total Immersion swimming book/manual, and an awesome new tri bag to boot. Again, when you're receiving this kind of swag as a Christmas gift, you know this isn't just a game anymore - or, at least, you're wanting to look the part. :) Regardless, I'm hoping that now that this cold is (nearly) over, I can schedule some upcoming workouts and get back at it. Only 2 months or so left before the REAL training begins for the Half IM in Muncie. The next 8 weeks is gonna be interesting to say the least.

Picking It Up

Well I've been on a kick now for about three weeks, which means that I've worked out approx. 4-5 days out of the week, every week. Whether that be swimming, biking, or doing Orange Theory classes (which incorporate strength, endurance and running), I've kept it up pretty well. Can't say that my motivation has improved much, however, and it's been hard to get up in the morning to get going - especially on those days when I don't have an accountability partner. I did end up getting a new tri bike a few weeks ago, but since it's Winter here in Kentucky I haven't been out on it, and did a 45 minute spin on the road bike on my trainer last week. I'm still a little intimidated by this whole "tri bike" thing, since I've never once used aero bars and I got a new type of shoe and clip - which means that my right of passage of falling over within the first month of riding is inevitable. Still, I know I need to get more workouts in before the "real" training begins. According to my calendar, my 6 week base building really doesn't begin until January 12th, so I'm just trying to get a little bit of the three sports in when I can. The half IM training starts February 23rd, so I'm looking ahead at that to see what it will entail, so I can go into it pretty confident that I can keep up with the workouts. I don't want to be swimming 1000 meters at a time thinking I'm crushing it, when the first workout has me doing 2500 meters total (which, by the way, it does). The swim doesn't really concern me though, although I do plan on a lesson or two to make sure my efficiency and form are what they need to be (my goal is to not get in "junk miles" - or meters in this case). My biggest concern is the bike. 112 miles just seems so daunting at this point, and thinking of being on a bike for 6-8 hours when my booty gets sore after just 45 minutes is intimidating in and of itself. Not to mention the physical endurance needed to go that far within the cut-off, as well as the hills. Oh, the hills. Not my strong suit by any means. And although I've completed 5 marathons, none of which were spectacular, I know that I can do a run/walk method and get by on that. Again... it's the bike. With that said, I'm just gonna have to force myself to get on the trainer more. Maybe get some DVD's that will guide me on some good workouts rather than merely watching a Netflix film and peddling just to pedal. Who knows, maybe I'll even get up the nerve to do some spin classes and go from there. All I know if that after that first 45 minute ride last week my legs felt like steel - for 20 minutes at least. I just need them to feel that good ALL the time.

Let The Base Building Begin....

I've been in the pool a few times over the past week, and although the first day was a struggle, I'm finally starting to find my groove again. I'm getting excited about getting into the actual training for the Half and Full Ironman's I have coming up, and have input a training program into a calendar, consistent with the weeks leading up to both races. I'll start training for the HIM February 23rd, and the IMLOU training will be 8 weeks in when I complete that race, so I'll just pick up where that one left off. As I was plugging in the workouts, I noticed that the week after my half (Muncie), there is a Recovery Week for the IM plan - which actually works out great. I'm also thinking of doing another half about a month later - which would be approx. 2 months prior to the full. The Laurel Lake half is apparently a pretty hilly bike course, which is exactly what I need. I need to train on hills, as much as I hate them, so that my mind doesn't get the best of me come race day. So, this blog will mostly consist of my training workouts and some race reports for the races I will be doing while training. Today's workout was nothing but swim: Laps: 50 Meters: 1250 Calories: 308 Average Strokes: 17 400M Time: 11:50 Strokes: 16 Efficiency: 64 Total Swim Time: 50:25