Well after mapping out next year's race season and many other considerations, I've decided I want to race the IronMan Florida race next fall. It's in Panama City and to register, I'm going to drive down with my dad on November 1st to watch the race on Saturday and experience it. Then on Sunday morning, I'll register for IMFL 2009!
I'm nervous just typing it....swimming 2.4 miles in the ocean is quite intimidating at this point. I have over 16 months to prepare for the race. My IMFL training of course began last month, but the real 30 week training will start April 1, 2009. I have 9 months to lose some weight and improve my swimming. Over the past 4 weeks, I've put 6.5 hours in the pool. That number should just increase over the next few months.
Bottom line...I'm excited about the challenge ahead, but as with any challenge or anytime you push yourself, it's can be tough stepping outside your comfort zone. And let's just say that swimming 2.4 miles with the sharks, then biking further than Tulsa to OKC, then running 26.2 miles is not within the site of my warm, cozy comfort zone.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Decisions, decisions....
Should I train for an Ironman off the bat or have a season of shorter races first?
The above question is what I am giving thought. By racing a season of shorter races first, I can work on building my base slowly and improve speed/performance. This would allow gradual swim improvement and speed over the course of the year.
The original/current plan is to sign up for IM Louisville or IM Florida Fall 2009. This would give me 16-18 months of training....very do-able. What I might do is a sprint tri or two in Tulsa next Spring, then maybe a 70.3 in the summer, then my full IM in Sept or Nov.
This is week 6 of my Base Building Phase. I am up to 6-7 hours of training weekly. It's a mix of swimming, biking, running, stretching, and weight lifting. I am trying to hold back and ease into the training to avoid injuries.
Overall things are going very well. The new bike (which I need to name) is very fast and I love riding it. Swimming remains my focus as I have the most room for improvement with swim technique/efficiency. I have my third swim lesson this afternoon at TCU. My lung capacity/endurance in the pool is pretty weak right now, but I am swimming much more flat and smooth.
This weekend will be a de-load weekend since I'll be in Saint Louis on a family reunion. I'll do some light training in the pool and gym at the hotel, but will use it as I time to enjoy with family and recover from the past 5 weeks of hard training.
The above question is what I am giving thought. By racing a season of shorter races first, I can work on building my base slowly and improve speed/performance. This would allow gradual swim improvement and speed over the course of the year.
The original/current plan is to sign up for IM Louisville or IM Florida Fall 2009. This would give me 16-18 months of training....very do-able. What I might do is a sprint tri or two in Tulsa next Spring, then maybe a 70.3 in the summer, then my full IM in Sept or Nov.
This is week 6 of my Base Building Phase. I am up to 6-7 hours of training weekly. It's a mix of swimming, biking, running, stretching, and weight lifting. I am trying to hold back and ease into the training to avoid injuries.
Overall things are going very well. The new bike (which I need to name) is very fast and I love riding it. Swimming remains my focus as I have the most room for improvement with swim technique/efficiency. I have my third swim lesson this afternoon at TCU. My lung capacity/endurance in the pool is pretty weak right now, but I am swimming much more flat and smooth.
This weekend will be a de-load weekend since I'll be in Saint Louis on a family reunion. I'll do some light training in the pool and gym at the hotel, but will use it as I time to enjoy with family and recover from the past 5 weeks of hard training.
Friday, June 13, 2008
BIKE!
I've put 35 miles on my bike since Monday....and let me tell you, that thing flies. I think after next week I'll take it in for a tune up to get things adjusted, etc. Bike shorts are by far worth there weight in gold....I have yet to be sore in the saddle after a ride. I'm averaging 18-19mph right now, hope to push that up to the low 20's in the next few weeks.
Swimming is coming along, slowly but surely. I did 100m on the kickboard for a warm up this morning. Then I did 250m freestyle. I have a few lengths of the pool that went pretty good.
I need two things right now, I need to improve my lung capacity and push myself to not take breaks at the end of a length, but I also need to improve my form. My TCU coach wants me to keep pushing myself to improve my lungs. But I heard another swim coach speak this past Tuesday night and he said "perfect practice makes perfect". So I'm trying to balance the two....I don't want to do sloppy laps in the pool to improve my lungs. I want my technique to improve, then I can build my endurance.
My training volume this week (in minutes) should reach 390 this week (6.5 hours). This is also week 5 of my "Base Phase". Goal to lose weight, learn to swim, and get my rear used to the bike seat. I'm on track thus far....
Swimming is coming along, slowly but surely. I did 100m on the kickboard for a warm up this morning. Then I did 250m freestyle. I have a few lengths of the pool that went pretty good.
I need two things right now, I need to improve my lung capacity and push myself to not take breaks at the end of a length, but I also need to improve my form. My TCU coach wants me to keep pushing myself to improve my lungs. But I heard another swim coach speak this past Tuesday night and he said "perfect practice makes perfect". So I'm trying to balance the two....I don't want to do sloppy laps in the pool to improve my lungs. I want my technique to improve, then I can build my endurance.
My training volume this week (in minutes) should reach 390 this week (6.5 hours). This is also week 5 of my "Base Phase". Goal to lose weight, learn to swim, and get my rear used to the bike seat. I'm on track thus far....
Monday, June 9, 2008
Bike and Swim
UPDATE
I've ridden the new bike 25 miles in the past 2 days. I love it! It's very fast and fun.
I had my second swim lesson last Thursday afternoon. My instructor gave me several compliments on my progress on the kickboard. She now wants me to warm up with the kickboard for 100m, then swimming freestyle for 300m. Today I did 100m on the kickboard, then 200m freestyle. I am focusing on my technique in the pool. My big struggle continues to be breathing. I feel like I can't get enough air.
Things are slowly coming together. My training volume this week is planned out to be 360 min, with 120min (or 1/3) of it in the pool. Swimming remains my #1 focus.
I've ridden the new bike 25 miles in the past 2 days. I love it! It's very fast and fun.
I had my second swim lesson last Thursday afternoon. My instructor gave me several compliments on my progress on the kickboard. She now wants me to warm up with the kickboard for 100m, then swimming freestyle for 300m. Today I did 100m on the kickboard, then 200m freestyle. I am focusing on my technique in the pool. My big struggle continues to be breathing. I feel like I can't get enough air.
Things are slowly coming together. My training volume this week is planned out to be 360 min, with 120min (or 1/3) of it in the pool. Swimming remains my #1 focus.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Swimming progress update
Since my lesson last Thursday, I've spent nearly an hour practicing my kickboard drills. I'm feeling more comfortable in the water already. I'll practice for 30 min tomorrow morning before work, then my next lesson is Thursday after work.
One of the toughest parts for me is the breathing. In most sports like running and cycling, you can breathe when you want. You can take shallow breathes every second or two if you want/need to....well this is not so with swimming. I'm learning to push all the air out of my lungs and get the most Oxygen per breathe possible. I break form when I run out of breathe.
Right now, I am patient and excited about what is to come. I know the swim technique will take a few months to really get down, but I believe I can really do it. I'm considering entering an AquaBike event at the end of September in OKC. It's a 1.2 mile swim followed by a 56 mile bike ride.
One of the toughest parts for me is the breathing. In most sports like running and cycling, you can breathe when you want. You can take shallow breathes every second or two if you want/need to....well this is not so with swimming. I'm learning to push all the air out of my lungs and get the most Oxygen per breathe possible. I break form when I run out of breathe.
Right now, I am patient and excited about what is to come. I know the swim technique will take a few months to really get down, but I believe I can really do it. I'm considering entering an AquaBike event at the end of September in OKC. It's a 1.2 mile swim followed by a 56 mile bike ride.
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