Well here we are just 2 short months from Ironman Wisconsin part 3. Last year seems so long ago. I can barely remember the months leading up to it. It still stings a bit and I believe that may be what has led me to this point. Things are going good this year and I'm pretty sure I know why.
First off I decided to lose a few pounds over the winter and thanks to a Facebook group and some accountability, I was able to get my weight back down into the 230's from the 270's. That has made a big difference.
Second I made a commitment to train over the winter and not just lay around and run or bike once in awhile. I ran or biked 6 days a week. I went to the classes at Michael's Cycles and did a bunch of Spinervals in my basement. When spring finally did come, I was able to hit the bike without the break in period like past years and I felt really good.
Third I am following a true training plan. One that has me putting in miles. Way more running than previous years and more frequent bike rides and long weekend rides. I try to do more run miles than the plan calls for. I know the run is my weak spot and I'm working hard on it.
Fourth I put a ton of events on my calendar in an effort to keep my focus up and my training miles high. I have done a 5K race, 8K race, 2-1oK races, 2 Half Marathons, a duathlon, an olympic distance tri, and 2 aquathons.
The bottom line is the results speak for themselves.
In the races I have done so far this summer I have PR'd in my 5K time, Half Marathon Time, Olympic Distance Tri, Aquathon, and Duathlon. I still can't break my 10K PR but I have been within 20 seconds in one race and 55 seconds in another.
I finally rode my bike over 20MPH average in a race and most of my solo training rides have been a lot faster. I also am feeling a lot stronger on the bike. I have ridden the meat of the Ironman bike course twice now, having done 86 miles last weekend and I left feeling pretty good. I rode 2 loops faster than I ever have in training or racing and I don't have the same feeling about the course as I did before. I know I can ride it and put more effort into it than past years. I just don't feel scared of it. I guess you call that confidence. I know I have to eat more and make sure I drink and take salts. Cramps have been an issue the past 2 years. My plan is to ride a lot of hills and ride them hard the next 2 months. I have a couple good hilly routes.
Up next:
Aquathon this Thursday, Ironman Muncie 70.3 on Saturday. I'm going to really focus on being uncomfortable on the bike and run at Muncie. 6:30 would be fantastic but my real goal is to smash the legs on the bike and then get off the bike and run a sub 2:45 half marathon. Lofty goals for me.
Then Carmichael Training Camp on the Ironman Course next weekend. Then another aquathon and Waunafest 10 mile run. Then Point to La Pointe 2 mile swim, followed by Waupaca sprint Tri and Race the Lake 90 mile bike race the next day.
Then a couple weeks of training and the big show.
I'm swimming about the same, biking better than ever and running better than ever. I just hope I can put it all together on race day. No matter what happens, I know how hard I have worked this year. I'm really focused.
First off I decided to lose a few pounds over the winter and thanks to a Facebook group and some accountability, I was able to get my weight back down into the 230's from the 270's. That has made a big difference.
Second I made a commitment to train over the winter and not just lay around and run or bike once in awhile. I ran or biked 6 days a week. I went to the classes at Michael's Cycles and did a bunch of Spinervals in my basement. When spring finally did come, I was able to hit the bike without the break in period like past years and I felt really good.
Third I am following a true training plan. One that has me putting in miles. Way more running than previous years and more frequent bike rides and long weekend rides. I try to do more run miles than the plan calls for. I know the run is my weak spot and I'm working hard on it.
Fourth I put a ton of events on my calendar in an effort to keep my focus up and my training miles high. I have done a 5K race, 8K race, 2-1oK races, 2 Half Marathons, a duathlon, an olympic distance tri, and 2 aquathons.
The bottom line is the results speak for themselves.
In the races I have done so far this summer I have PR'd in my 5K time, Half Marathon Time, Olympic Distance Tri, Aquathon, and Duathlon. I still can't break my 10K PR but I have been within 20 seconds in one race and 55 seconds in another.
I finally rode my bike over 20MPH average in a race and most of my solo training rides have been a lot faster. I also am feeling a lot stronger on the bike. I have ridden the meat of the Ironman bike course twice now, having done 86 miles last weekend and I left feeling pretty good. I rode 2 loops faster than I ever have in training or racing and I don't have the same feeling about the course as I did before. I know I can ride it and put more effort into it than past years. I just don't feel scared of it. I guess you call that confidence. I know I have to eat more and make sure I drink and take salts. Cramps have been an issue the past 2 years. My plan is to ride a lot of hills and ride them hard the next 2 months. I have a couple good hilly routes.
Up next:
Aquathon this Thursday, Ironman Muncie 70.3 on Saturday. I'm going to really focus on being uncomfortable on the bike and run at Muncie. 6:30 would be fantastic but my real goal is to smash the legs on the bike and then get off the bike and run a sub 2:45 half marathon. Lofty goals for me.
Then Carmichael Training Camp on the Ironman Course next weekend. Then another aquathon and Waunafest 10 mile run. Then Point to La Pointe 2 mile swim, followed by Waupaca sprint Tri and Race the Lake 90 mile bike race the next day.
Then a couple weeks of training and the big show.
I'm swimming about the same, biking better than ever and running better than ever. I just hope I can put it all together on race day. No matter what happens, I know how hard I have worked this year. I'm really focused.
3 comments:
I know you can do it. This all sounds great!
Mike, you're doing awesome. I'm just sorry we won't be there to see you finish this year...
Mike. You are doing amazing training. It's funny but my goal for Boulder is be uncomfortable on the bike too AND I want to go sub 2:44 on the run. After reading your report, you damn well better believe I am going to do it.
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