OK. I’m in full gear now for my Ironman race on Nov 22. Only Diet Mountain Dew until after the race. Shedding 15 pounds. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night minimum (got 10 last night). Getting my gear that needs replacement replaced. Went back to short hair. Still not shaving my legs. Did it once. Just don’t like it.
But I have done 3 things very significantly to improve my racing. First, I hired a triathlon coach, and after our first meeting what I need to do is pretty simple. I need to swim more. I need to bike more. I need to run more. But I also need to work on my racing and training nutrition. He said it well. Ironman racing is all about nutrition. And I’ve neglected that until the last year. So second, I have joined a masters swim program at the YMCA. Former college coach. Two sessions a week. 3,000-4,000 yards per session. And third, I am changing my running form. I’ve got to be a more efficient runner. So I’m reading and following Chi Running. And it’s such a great book that I am using it on my new FRT post. Check that out.
I adjusted my racing schedule a bit due to my training. Recovery from a 70.3 is significant, taking a couple of weeks. I don’t want to lose that training time. So I’m opting for a shorter, Olympic distance race in Paola, KS, on August 30. I won’t really have any recovery time after that race, but it allows me to get in a third race for the year.
So that’s it. I will be posting my workouts, times, thoughts along the way. Stay tuned. Thursday swam 3,000 yards hard. Friday I rode 50 miles at 19.6m. Saturday ran 105 minutes. Today, REST.
3 responses so far ↓
99Luftballoons // August 7, 2009 at 16:55 |
I like the train more advice. The bike in easier for me, however still need to push harder on all three. Swimming is not my forte, so to get better need to get in the pool more. Read some articles regarding heart rate training and have changed by running to stay at around 150 instead of trying to run faster. Seems to work. I can run longer, but the distance is reduce.
Are you still thinking about the Tri Club in town?
FSRT // August 13, 2009 at 20:36 |
Sorry to leave your comment out there for so long, Scott. I haven’t joined the tri club yet. I am using Matt Morrow for coaching, and I have joined the masters swim team at the YMCA. I do think the work at lower heart rates is better. Although….I recently discovered Crossfit (www.crossfit.com) and Crossfit Endurance (www.crossfitendurance.com). They emphasize an ALL anaerobic training regimen. Very interesting. Check it out and let me know what you think.
99Luftballoons // August 18, 2009 at 17:03 |
The crossfit stuff kind of looks like the PX90 system that is out there too. Changing up the workout to push the body harder. I try to get some interval training in the mix, but need alittle more. Somehow the interval training helps with speed and recovery. I will look into more on the crossfit when time is available.