Rest 1/14, 1/15

Today was just a travel day, and I didn't get any exercise in. tomorrow I'll just pick up my race packet and visit some friends.

I chatted a bit with KC via IM yesterday. KC asked if I were planning on a half-ironman this year... whenever KC brings it up, I just say something like "that's a great goal" or "Black Diamond in late September looks possible". Hehe, little does KC realize I have plans to complete a full ironman earlier in the season. KC once also asked about spectating at IMCdA - I mentioned that is a long way to go to see a race, plus the difficult logistics of lodging, etc. I didn't mention I plan to complete IMCdA 2005!

KC has talked about watching T2 and I in an event, and to this I say the Kirkland Sprint Tri is the best venue - close by in Kirkland, short event since it is a sprint, etc. Maybe KC planned to come watch last year when T2 and I did it, but was off doing another hobby.

If people want to come spectate, I'm all for that, but at the same time I try to emphasize that I'm a middle-of-pack to back-of-pack athlete and my events are not that exciting. Add to this fact it will eat up at least three hours of time for a sprint (including travel time to/from the event) and the races generally require hitting the road pretty early, it might not be as enjoyable as (for example) the times we've gone to watch JU compete. But, JU is a few dozen levels of competition higher.

Basically I'm thinking the best way to spectate IMCdA would be via the webcasting at ironmanlive.com. I think you'd have to be a pretty huge triathlon fan, a prospective competitor, or be dating or be married to one of the competing athletes, to spectate an ironman in person! And even in this situation, I'd work some scheme to where whoever came to see me basically waited at the finish line for as little time as possible. Heck, I'd carry my cellphone and call in when I hit 20 miles at the marathon.

Anyway, just some tri talk that came up with another friend.

Bike 1/13

I planned to do an easy run today, but between picking up my parents at the airport and staying later to finish up some work, it got dark. That's OK, because I decided to bike on the trainer - after all, I won't get a chance until Monday. I'm leaving tomorrow for Houston to meet up with some old college friends and coworkers, and run in the Houston half marathon on Sunday morning.

I haven't been running much so this will just be more of a supported long run. ;)

Anyway, 45 minutes on the bike trainer, while watching CSI.

IM Training Thoughts

Recently T1 and T2 have indicated they are thinking of withdrawing from IMAZ. This got me thinking about the whole ironman training process.

First, I am convinced most reasonably experienced triathletes can train and complete an ironman as long as their finish time goals are realistic. However, such a person might also need more time to build up for one. If you sit back and think - how am I going to train for these distances, they are crazy! - you might pysche yourself out... unless you allow yourself enough time and gradually build up.

I'm not saying the training will be easy, in fact, I'm sure it will be tough to get out there once I'm further along. There will be days where I'll just not want to train and wind up having a willpower battle just to do it.

On the other hand, there does come a time when you have to make the judgement call, am I really beat and thus need to have a rest day? Am I really prepared enough to do the event?

Fundamentally the training should be fun and enjoyable, and not a chore. Sure, it will be tricky to schedule sometimes, but ultimately it should be something to look forward to. So while we have to push ourselves to train, but not so hard that we can't train the next day, we also have to listen to the voice in our head that says, this is too much too fast, I'm at major risk or burnout or injury.

It might not be fun to withdraw from the event, but on the other hand, it would be even worse to start it with a jumble of thoughts which include, I'm not ready. So I'd say, after carefully thinking about the time left to the event and your fitness level, if you really don't think you'll be ready, withdraw. In such a case, why enter and risk being miserable and wind up hating triathlon? There are a bunch of other shorter distance triathlons in our area. Plus, ironman will be there next year. Heck, there are even closer ones at more convenient times of the year.

As for me, I'll probably be having this conversation with myself in late April or May. ;)

Bike 1/12

Took it easy and biked on the trainer for 30 minutes, while watching Desperate Housewives.

Swim 1/11

I called up the pool to inquire if the heater/boiler was fixed, and it was, so I drove over for a lunchtime swim. Since it has been three weeks since I last swam, I took it easy and did 1000 yards in 30 mins: 10x100 with 30 seconds of rest in between. I practiced TI form and counted strokes - it was taking 18 to 21 strokes per length.

It felt good to get back in the pool, and I didn't swallow as much water as I expected to!

Bike 1/10

Biking on the trainer for 1:00 while watching 24, the best show on TV.

Week 1

Jan 3 - Jan 9

	Time
Swim	0:00
Bike	3:05
Run	1:04
Strength	0:00
Weight	140.6 lb
Body Fat	16.7%

Okay, no swimming because the pool was closed. But other than that, it was a reasonable first week. I need to chart out the GB training plan. This week will be a little crazy as I'll be out of town for the weekend, running a half-marathon in Houston.

Cumulative Training

	Time
Swim	4:33
Bike	14:32
Run	6:28

Total training hours in the base phase.

Bike 1/9

I rode my trainer for 45 minutes while watching Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. High cadence and so forth. I would have done more but I started a late and had to stop to get ready for volleyball.