Not the Average Joe

It has been about 2 months since my successful IM journey.  Since that time I have taken some time off for physical training and trying to determine what is next.  I did sign up for another IM next year and plan on getting some things squared away to "race" next years since I am completed the distance and have a better understanding of the event.  You have to respect 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running. It makes for a long day but oh it was so worth it.

Over the next week or so I plan on defining what the term success means for next year's race.  I need to collect what my time is devoted to and go through the process of give and take.  I have talked to several people who qualified for Kona and it seems lots of bike volume and consistency.  I will probably give up my Masters studies for this new journey of qualifying for the worlds but I feel most at peace with myself through physical tests then anything else.  School will always be there.

I will be focusing on nutrition, time management and simple living.

 

Hit the pool this evening and did my  3500 yard set.  I knew I did not have enough calories during the day as soon as I got home.  My blood sugar dropped and I honestly could have gone to sleep.  BUT...I just sucked it up and did the workout and felt fine after I was done.  Consistency is a key success factor in Ironman training.  Coming from somebody who bets board rather easily I have seen both sides of the consistency factor.  

Well it has been some time since I have been on my page but I might as well dive right back in.  

So after putting my triathlon season on hold or 2007 it was time to think about next season.  I really wanted to clean house with some of my other projects in my life so I could train the right way and not burn out.  I came across a great article from a well respected gentleman, Gordo Byrn.  Very fascinating individual and I read his blog quite often.  In his article, "Coaching Ironman Athletes he had a Top 10 which I provided below for those that are interested.  The full article can be found HERE

1. Running fitness is meaningless if an athlete arrives in second transition too tired to use it.  Ironman-distance race performance builds off superior cycling fitness.
 
2. There’s nothing “fast” about ironman-distance racing.  The highest intensity sessions are the least specific in an athlete’s program.  Inappropriate intensity is also responsible for most nutritional, recovery and biomechanical breakdowns.
 
3. All the fitness in the world is useless if an athlete is sick or injured on race day.  Arriving at the race site fit, fresh and focused is worth a lot when the going gets tough.
 
4. Athletic goals need to sit in harmony with life goals and the reality of an athlete’s life situation.  It only takes a little too much (volume, intensity, fatigue) to tip an athlete over the edge.  There is no worse feeling than falling apart two weeks out from a goal race after a whole season of diligent preparation
 
5. There is no easy way – the achievement of meaningful goals requires sustained, consistent effort over an extended period of time.
 

6. Athletes require constant reassurance that it’s OK to rest.  The single greatest item that most age-group athletes can add to their program is an extra hour of sleep every night.
 
7. Intensitycannot substitute for volume.  We are training for a nine to seventeen hour event.
 
8. The best indicator of likely race performance is consistency of preparation over the eight months prior to an athlete’s A-priority event.  Continuous progress requires consistent dedication.
 
9. An athlete’s year should be based around a straightforward week structure that the athlete can repeat 40 out of 50 weeks without undue stress on his non-triathlon commitments.
 
10. When faced with a dilemma between Base or Build – choose Base.

Well

It has been awhile since I have been writing since I have alot going on.  Since my last post I have decided to hold off from my IM this year.  As much as I was enjoying the training I felt a stronger need to be there for my one year old daughter and just be a dad.  When I reached that point where I felt like I was taking much needed time with my family it was easy to let go of doing my IM.  It is all about priorities. 

God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, "I love you."
Billy Graham

Finding my centering and learning to embrace the unkowns going on right now....developing....

Well..it has been 2 weeks and I am just now feeling close to 100 %.  The family has been sick on and off for 2 weeks and it really took alot out of us.  I was really feeling a little discouraged because I have been feeling burned out a little.  Still trying to find out what career direction I want to go and help run the real estate business and more importantly  make time for my family....it has been real hard actually to put my training in. 

 My coach was real encouraging so she is going to modify my training hours some to compensate this.  It felt like a ton of bricks will be lifted up a little.  I had to do a 10 Mile bike time trial and it was really my first day on the bike for a few days.  I got the bike ready and was about to head out the door when I noticed I had broken a spoke on my wheel...dope!  So off to the bike shop and they fixed it while I was waiting so that was a big relief.  Back home I went and finally got out the door and hit the trail.  I did a warm-up and then set myself up for a 10 Mile burst.  I did it in 28:31 and my average speed was 21.32MPH so I was happy with that.  My legs were pretty tired and I know it was because too many days lapsed between my workouts but I did it.

I am going to try and mix up the scenery a little with my workouts since I have been going the same routes for quite some time.  I think that will keep things fresh for me and keep the boredom at bay. 

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