How is everyones Ironman training going??
firefightergaz
Posts: 132
in General Chat
Bit of an odd one this..........I started my IMUK training back in November. It started well but slowed down a bit towards Christmas, then got post Christmas couldn't be bothered-itus (grrrr ), picked up a bit then last month was hit by flu (not of the man variety!!), then hurt my knee...catch breath!!!!
Then the last 2 weeks have been how I remember training to be, enjoyable!! . Enjoying going out 6 days a week for hours at a times sometimes, managing niggles and aches.
It took a few months to get to this stage but now I'm in the zone want to stay here.
How is everyone else's preparations going?????
Then the last 2 weeks have been how I remember training to be, enjoyable!! . Enjoying going out 6 days a week for hours at a times sometimes, managing niggles and aches.
It took a few months to get to this stage but now I'm in the zone want to stay here.
How is everyone else's preparations going?????
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Mine has been mixed - Cycling over winter has been great, getting good mileage in and fitness levels up
Hardly done any swimming though - hopefully 1st OW session this weekend.
Running has been ok but not got any real distance under my belt apart from 1 HM
I tore my Quad doing the HM a few weeks back and only just been back on the bike this week - managed about 45 miles so far - running is a no show, probably not going to be running for a few weeks yet until quad is healed properly.
I can now swim again though so starting next week (on holiday from this weekend) I shall be upping the cycling and swimming mileage somewhat - not long to go to IMUK 70.3 or IMUK ... eeek its getting a bit scary
Bike had been going well, and started to up the distances, so now I ride further than I had before, and quite enjoy doing 100+ km rides. Only downside is that my speed is remaining pretty constant, averaging 15mph/25kph, which is what I was hoping for on the day, so hopefully with another 3-4 months in the saddle I'll either be faster, or less knackered, or both.
What I wasn't being able to do was the faster sessions, so I've started riding to and from work. The journey in being a high rpm session, and the trip home being in the biggest gear I can manage.
Running has been a slightly different story though. Started off we, but picked up a bit if an ankle niggle. Not sure what or how, but it meant almost no running in March. However, I started back on Tuesday with a hilly trail 10 miler, and all seemed to be OK'ish, but a little sore. Again with another 3-4 months I should be OK.
Pressure on family life makes some weekends hard, but that's life, and I've had to readjust my expectations to reflect it, ho hum.
Looking forward to weekend of good weather, with a long run on Saturday, and weather and time permitting I might attempt a full race distance ride on Sunday. One of the plus sides of IM training is just how good it makes you feel. Aching all the time, but you know why.
one stride forward and six steps backwards.
Currently on course for a DNF,unless I do abit of last minute cramming.
Picked it up again in Feb and have been going (reasonably) strong since then - swam consistently through the winter, 3-4 times a week. Now doing a couple of long 3k sessions per week - this is my biggest gain (although not fast, around 60mins for 3k) as last year i could barely swim a few lengths without drowning!!!
Bike has been steady but can't seem to get above 18mph as ave speed over long ride, would like to push 20s but i don't think that will be possible this year?
Running, i've been totally steady. As a certified jesse i can be prone to injuries so only running the minimum (3 per week plus 1 brick), although now built up to 1:45, again, not especially fast, but consisent and steady...i'm doing the Don Fink plan which on the face of it seems easy but by the end of the week i'm always shagged!
Now, if only i could lose some weight...i'm sure i'd go faster! even training 11-13hrs per week my weight is pretty constant - i tried cutting back the calories to shed a few pounds -but it was a complete disaster i had no energy to do anything....i'm 12'12" and would like to drop the 12" if anybody has any ideas?????
So i feel like i'm on track for Nice in June the biggest worry is getting over there with my bike and gear in tact, i'm going by myself, flights and hotel are booked but still nervous about the whole trip. Come race day i'll be relived to get to the start line with all my gear in one piece!!!
i'm very prone to coughs and colds so factored in some illness and recovery time and just as well as I spent 3 weeks in Jan/ Feb quite bunged up.
I put it down to trying to lose weight at the same time as high volumes of training. Daft I know but I've learned my lesson.
The turbo was an excellent investment in Jan/ Feb and what with a few spinervals and CTC training videos I've made some great strides in my cycling. I feel much faster and stronger than last year so it's been a winter well spend and I'll keep using the turbo and training vids at least once a week all the way through as I think they've been of massive benefit.
My swimming pretty much takes care of itself as it's my strongest discipline but I did join a masters swim class and it's taken over 3 mins off my 1500 time (now down below 24 mins) and 4000m doesn't feel too difficult. As others have mentioned, now very much looking forward to open water season.
Running is my weakness but I managed a sub 2 hour half marathon which I haven't managed in 15 years and keeping going for a couple of hours doesn't feel like hard work. i've been doing a lot of my running off road in Epping forest and i think the hills and mud are starting to pay off in terms of strength.
So all in all, jan/ Feb was pretty bleak with lots of colds etc and feeling very run down but I do feel like I'm past that now and am getting in 11 hours + per week and looking to increase that slightly over the next few weeks.
I'm currently coming towards the end of week 17 of a 30 week training plan for IMCH (at the end of July) and am looking forward to an olympic and half IM in May.
And I've just come back from my first decent ride on my new time trial bike which was just awesome, so feeling good at the moment!
Sounds like everyone else is getting on track for a good summer. I've just come back from a 2.30hr brick and LOVED every minute of it, strong, smooth adn powerful all the way.
I did Blackpool HM yesterday, playing support role for my mate as it was his first race ever, that said I'm not even going to put the time down!!!!!........anyway, I got talking to a bloke in the toilet cue (as you do) who had his IM New Zealand tshirt on so naturally we got talking. I mentioned just how much IM training takes over your life and that I'd promisewd the missus to take a year doing sprint or OD so the training commitments weren't so great. His reply, "really, are you sure? I said that before my first IM and I've done 3 now. I guarantee the minute you cross the finish you'll want to do it again" I wont be telling this missus then about that converstion then!!
Bike.....distance increasing,so should be fine
Run......mmmmm,just frustrating,with injuries,it is a balance between increasing the distance to a specific point before recovery turns to rehab.Even more frustrating due to my background being based on running(sub 3hr 15m marathon),so to not run plays havoc with my IM run training(suppose I could walk).I have done a 70.3 based purely on bike fitness,so it is possible,but,an IM is more than just double the distance of a 70.3.
I know where I want to be but that ship has sailed,and I seem to be making the most of the flotsam and jetsam around me.But,hey,I have 3 months.
As I come from a running background I am concentrating on swimming technique and cycling endurance as I think they will be my stumbling points come race day!!
Am up to 3hrs on the bike, covering about 80km! That will increase in the comming weeks hopefully!
How's everyone else feeling about the race?.......
I'm getting more and more nervous as the weeks go by! This is my first IM! Did the New Forest Middle last year and really suffered due to poor nutrition!! Have learnt my lesson though!!!!
My biggest mistake in the New Forest was to underestimate the run!! Anyone who has done the NF Middle Distance will tell you that the run leg is pretty harsh!!
I basically doubled my OD nutrition plan for the middle distance!! Hence, 10km into the run I found myself hitting a large wall, and finishing the last half of the run in an hour and a half!!
My understanding is that race day nutrition is a very personal thing!! Some may get by on just gels and fluid...whilst some prefer solid food!!
Whatever works for you, you have to fuel on the bike for the run!! The harder the run leg the more calories you need in you by the time you get to T2!
That's my lesson learnt!!!!
Come IMUK I'm also going to write the date of the 2009 New Forest race on my hand so I don't forget the pain I went through that day!! Hopefully it'll remind me not to go like a bat outta hell on the bike and save some for the run!!!
I also found out on the weekend, that although I can feed myself pretty well on the go on the bike, what made a huge difference was stopping for a couple of minutes andgettinga really good feed in, gels, sorren, banana, anything really. Don't know whether it was the fact I was stopped, and stood upright, or the fact I could chew a swallow properly, but it did make me feel better after re-starting.
It doesn't matter how well a training session goes, I still get butterflys when I think about August 1st. If I stick to my plan, and not get carried away I know I WILL finish. (on sheer will power alone if it comes to it!!!)
Keeping to there schedule has really helped. Everything is based on training times as opposed to going for a 50 mile bike ride. Therefore I don't find myself competing against myself trying to get a better time. This has had the effect of making me more relaxed, and naturally both fitness and speed have gone up.
I think I am on a good track. Although I can't believe it is just over 3 months to the IronMan.
I am best in the pool, followed by on the bike, and am quite confortable doing 3.5 hours on the bike now with energy left for a half hour run.
The running has seen my greatest improvements. I am in the London Marathon, and being 15.5 stone at the time of beginning this plan. I predicted my London Marathon to be 5.5 hours. Now I am down to 14 stone (although want more off) and am predicting sub 4:30, possibly 4hrs. So very pleased there.
I just cant wait to race on fresh legs. As somebody said in an article I read "We are always training on tired legs" How true is that.
Yeah cheers for that Lance!!
Got to say that I agree with you all though. I'm constantly aching, niggles here and there and could fall asleep on my feet at any given moment. It'll be worth it come August 1st
I'm still going more on feel as well, if I'm out riding/running, and all is going well, then I usually stay out longer than planned, just to build more endurance, and enjoy the good weather. Likewise, if I'm knackered or things are going too well, then I may slack off. And I don't really bother with bricks. I'm averaging the correct number of hours per week, but just in different quantities, but will it work on the day, I hope so. My only goal this year is to finish, and have a bloody good time doing so.