Can an Average Runner Become an IRONMAN?

Audaciously...I'm thinking, "YES!"

Chicago Tri Club meeting is SO valuable once again

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CTC uniformAttended my second Chicago Tri Club meeting last night. It cost me $35 to join, and it has already been so worth it. You can read about ALL that I learned (when I grilled a girl) during my first club meeting here.

This time I again got great info from the folks at my table and from the speaker. The topic was Mental Toughness. That’s what got me to this meeting, I figured I needed some of that.

When 3 veteran triathletes sat at my table, it took me no time at all to announce that I was doing my first triathlon in a week and half and to start listing off my questions!

Here is what I learned:

  • Take 2 plastic bags with you to help you get your wetsuit over your feet (never would’ve thought of this!)
  • Body glide the heck out of your neck to avoid chaffing from the wetsuit
  • The guy sitting across from me, who just moved to the US from the UK, is also registered for the Half Ironman in Racine, WI (I was perhaps a bit overbearing when I immediately mentioned we could car pool – sometimes my extroversion gets the best of me)
  • A good technique to use when you are mentally freaking out is to imagine a big red stop sign (this is SO in my back pocket for the swim!) and then you can refocus
  • It’s useful to notice when you feel you are in the zone (I hadn’t quite thought of it that way. I was thinking about how I was getting better at tuning into my body on rides and runs. Now I’m seeing that that this tuning in can more easily lead me to the zone!)

I also picked up a CTC (Chicago Tri Club) branded tri suit (2 pieces) for $40! And got my CTC shirt that comes with membership!

Yay! Totally worth it.

I’m on the taper!

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keep calm and taper onThe first 20 weeks are nearly done. Funny, after often worrying about how to fit in training, I begin to feel like it’s not enough; I feel a little lost without the challenge of “getting it in.”

This week I did a very-untaperlike thing and added in 2 strength classes because I missed strength the last 2 weeks…too many on-site days one week and a migraine the other. I won’t do this in the coming weeks!

I caught myself the other day thinking, “Well of course I feel on track and good now, I’m on the taper!” Huh! Enough of that. In that moment, I made a commtimetn to enjoy the taper. Appreciate it. enjoy. We need to taper as much as we need to train.

In fact, I can be “actively” considering what will work for my ultimate Ironman taper.

I can also take some moments and acknowledge what’s been accomplished in the first 5-ish months of my training…

  • up to 3.5 hours on bike
  • up to 90 minute runs
  • up to brick of 3.5 hours on bike + 15 minute run
  • up to 65 minute swim workout
  • registered for 4 triathlons, worked out logistics for tri in TX
  • figured out logistics of training for 3 sports (this is good because logistics will step up as workouts are longer and more activities can be taken outside)
  • healthy! injury-free!
  • bike set up on trainer, all sorts of new cycling equipment
  • actually dressed warmly enough for one bike ride!
  • got my full training schedule into my calendar
  • improved my swim skills and bike handling skills

I’ll do my best to stay calm, stay on the taper, and experience and learn whatever there is to experience and learn!

Logistics, logistics, logistics

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triathlete gearTraining as a triathlete involves logistics, logistics, logistics.

I’m good at logistics. I can handle a lot of logistics. This is a LOT of logistics. Sometimes I love the challenge of figuring out how to work my schedule and make sure I’ve got everything I need for the various components of my day. Other times, (especially when I forget something or things can’t work out as planned), I get frustrated with the logistics….especially because I’m supposed to be good at logistics!

Examples…

Run inside or out? Pack 2 different sets of clothes to provide options? Or decide ahead of time and just go with it?

If I’m going to run outside, then I should swim after so I’m not out with wet hair.

Remember underwear. (Have failed at this twice!)

Remember all the shoes needed! Cycling shoes; shoes to wear to the cycling studio – these could be my running shoes or my strength training shoes, if I’m planning to do either of those; and shoes to wear for the day!

I’m doing a tri in Texas and when we go on vacation to Hilton Head this summer, I have a BIG training schedule with a 5.5 hour bike ride. So…how am I going to have a bike for both of these. Shipping my bike is a risk. Renting is tricky. It’s tough to figure out – not being a bike expert – how to get as close as I can to the same material, type and size! I made arrangements to rent a bike in Texas. I’ll bring my seat (with post) and pedals to help get the best fit. (That shouldn’t send me over the suitcase weight limit! Ha!) And I figure it’s only 12 miles, so I can make anything “close” work well. Still gotta figure out what I’m renting in South Carolina. My Coach says that if I rent aluminum (my bike is carbon fiber) that I’ll get a really good workout. So, maybe I should just do that. Yet, is that going to be too uncomfortable for the long ride? Don’t know how much of a difference it’ll make…

After planning an early morning long swim, I eventually decided to NOT swim for an hour before an on-site client day because I figured I’d likely have “goggle eyes.” Not cute. Looks like there are big bags under your eyes.

Cycle outside, in the cycling studio or in my basement. Deciding whether to go outside, you can consider weather, time to get bike ready, time to get geared up. (you need to wear a lot more clothes than you think!) Deciding to bike in the cycling studio, I check the cycling class times and durations. I want to not arrive in the middle of a class. I can often tack onto a class in way that works. Do I want to just be by myself in the studio? Sometimes it’s nice to be on that type of bike and be able to do a little bit of multitasking. Deciding whether to bike at home in the trainer: Is it convenient to be at home? Is the bike set up on the trainer?

I currently need to find time to buy or rent a wet suit, get to the bike shop for tune up, buy a tri suit??, get new pedals, set up rental for South Carolina, and attend a bike maintenance class.

Since I have flexibility in my work schedule, it’s a consistent effort to figure out how to best fit training into my schedule, shift things as needed, yet still try to meet the purpose of different training sessions. Sometimes you want them back-to-back, sometimes you want a double in a day. Can this be one night and the next morning? At this point I’m trying not to stress the “purpose” too much and just fit them in where I may.

Ordering materials. It seems like there’s always something to get! I just ordered a new swim suit (totally wore one out in 6 months!), protein bars, chews, gels, drinks. Amazing how often you need to order something!

Logistics, logistics, logistics! I guess I’m working to get even better at logistics!

 

 

Going for 4 PRs this year!

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duathlonSo I’ve got myself set up for 4 PR (personal records) this year!

Since I’m doing 4 new events… 🙂

(Photo is my first duathlon finish! Wow, I was jazzed to finish that bike course on my 2-week-old bike that I didn’t know how to handle well on those hills and curves! That’s why I look like I’m going to break the tape.)

I just added in a sprint triathlon and now I’ll be doing all 4 tri distances for the first time this year. Do something for the first time = automatic PR!

Here’s the line up –

April 7, Sprint, Texas State Triathlon

I’m excited to get this on the calendar for a number of reasons:

  • My daughter is traveling to TX with me for the weekend
  • We’re visiting my friend Laura and her family – in fact, we invited ourselves to stay with them!
  • I finally decided whether or not I was going to do a sprint tri and where
  • I figured out another round of logistics by getting a bike rented for the event

June 12, Olympic, Capital View Triathlon

This event has already been the scene of 2 firsts for me! I did a relay team at this triathlon about 5 years ago. And, last year I completed my first duathlon here. I’m excited to return for a full triathlon! Seems fitting.

Then the biggies…

July 17, Half Ironman, Racine WI

September 11, Ironman Wisconsin, Madison WI