I Think I Can

Hi T

I just finished reading some more of your blogging. Your last post was of interest since I struggle with the same thoughts and cookie cutter mentality of many out there. I don't share their ideas, but rather agree more with you and your pro friend.

I have come to the same conclusion on my own and executed it this past off/on season. Last winter while all the other triathletes decided to take time off and get fat and lazy I stayed in the game merely doing maintenance work with the 3 disciplines (2 each one, each week) as well as added heavier weights. I attribute a really solid season to the method I took in the off season. I felt stronger than ever (heavy weights), was leaner than I would have been ( better weight to power ratio) and had set the stage to increase endurance as the season approached, which came much more naturally than the year before when I did take some weeks off.

I also avoided exercise induced injury this year which didn't happen last year. Last year I dealt with a wicked case of shin splints that kept me at sub-par level the entire season.

Anyway, a good read and I think you're right on. Good luck with CIM!

In the early years, I tried to train straight through and wound up burnt out or on the boarder for getting injured. Of course I also thought the every workout was high intensity as well.

In the last three years, I've been building up consistently but at the end of each year, I'm taking some time off and losing fitness in the process. With Silverman and CIM so close to the end of the year, I don't see why lightly training through the end of the year is going to make a difference.

We shall see.

Good luck to you as well!
 
I feel a little better knowing that you've been doing this for years. I just can't maintain your volume of training not necessarily because of my age but because I haven't built up to that level (haven't paid my dues, so to speak).

I am looking forward to moving into a new age group next year, 50-54, and the competition dipping a little, but there are still a lot of fast guys in that age group.

As for swimming, I have only been swimming properly for less than a year and still need a wetsuit or have to stay in salt water, but I am actually beginning to enjoy it.

There's definitely something to be said for carry over base. Ex-pros that having been racing for 20 years still maintain enough base to quickly train for a long course event and place well. And when I say quickly train, I mean putting in no more than 8-10 hours a week. It's just amazing what we can do to our bodies.

It takes about three years to build up and then it gets easy... in a manner of speaking. That's why you'll hear people suggest staying in the smaller events before jumping into Ironman. Anyone can do an Ironman... ie... finish. If you wait a few years before doing one, you'll have a better time at it.
 
I agrre and disagree with anyone can do an ironman. Since I have been on the road I have met MANY who have started the pursuit and given up.

I have met one whom completed the training plan and turned around after 100 meters of the swim and just knew it was too much for them. Pride can do alot.

Look at the defending champion yesterday who had a mechanical, and the tech crew told him it wouyld take 15 minutes to fix so he dropped out.

Saying anyone can complete an ironman is not true. You have done very well at them, and I hope to finish one. BUT- in my moment of truth here, it is my desire to SAY---- B.S. it take comittment, drive, total stick to it ive ness, discipline, and the ability to control yourself under anxiety adveristy and pressure to finish an Ironman. FEW EVER WILL!

that is all

FF
 
I agree and disagree with "anyone can do an Ironman."

Well then I'm happy and sad at the same time. :)

Whether someone chooses to make the commitment or not is a completely different story. But the fact still remains that almost anyone can do it. I know... if everyone starts doing it, you'll have to find something bigger to do. ;)

A much longer rebuttal to follow but I just finished a long run and have to do some chores around the house.
 
100 mile bike ride yesterday on hills with winds gusting up to 25mph. Loads of fun. Took just about 6 hours to get done.

21 mile run today at an 8:19... don't tell me coach I ran farther and faster than I was supposed to. I'll be posting a white lie in my log to keep from getting smacked.

Just wrapped up my last week of build and will now enter Peak. Four weeks out... WHEE!
 
aaaahhhh we get to be your lil secret corner to be honest about your runs and feelings and such!!! nice!!! hahahahaha

I hear you on the "comittment" and that is probably what I was driving at. I also agree that with the "comittment" anyone can do it. The disabled, hoyts and oine leggers and all that prove that... that is not what I meant. I was pointing out the difference between the contenders, the athletes, and the spectators. that was all.

something bigger than Ironman. yup- Already have the 100 mile run in my mind.... but I was not building it up to protect my ego trip. I have already totally accepted nothing will ever be enough, it is impossibvle.
Only eternity will satisfy.

FF
 
This is exactly why "I'll NEVER do Ironman". My family would disown me as I search for "bigger" things! How bout I find a new story and say that is the reason I self sabotaged my half this summer as I was mere miles from the finish-just so I can keep shooting for an attainable distance that doesn't take all day to finish! :)

you two are nuts!
 
haahaha

yes 100 miler's are nuts!

the winner of the Mohican this year finished in 17:55. The last "finisher was 29:50,, yes 29 hours of running! hahhaaha

out of 175 entries only 80 finished. CAN YOU SAY PACE! MENTAL CONTROL, and RACE EXECUTION.....omg!! jhow cool is that!

OK OK,,, back to the 140.6. BUT, I do believe this type of thinking makes the Ironman more achievable. It is just part of a pifestyle fo fitness and physical challenge.

deplete the body to tap the brain, deplete the brain for spiritula dependnece. It is when we go beyond where WE CAN, that we need greater power, and that power comes from beyond ourselves.

this dude right here, TSI, could do it.

Have you done it?
 
This is exactly why "I'll NEVER do Ironman". My family would disown me as I search for "bigger" things! How bout I find a new story and say that is the reason I self sabotaged my half this summer as I was mere miles from the finish-just so I can keep shooting for an attainable distance that doesn't take all day to finish! :)

you two are nuts!

Never say never. I have you pegged for doing one at some point in your life. It's inevitable. Do I know the story about your self-sabotaged half??
 
Have you done it?

I haven't done 50 or 100 yet. They are both on my list. I'm pretty sure I could do 50 without too much of a problem. 100 is something I'd have to work on. You can't really train for that an Ironman at the same time and I'm still busy with my IM goals.
 
Never say never. I have you pegged for doing one at some point in your life. It's inevitable. Do I know the story about your self-sabotaged half??

I'll save it for my mid-life crisis-then yah, its inevitable at that point! ha. I'd hate to see FF with a mid-life crisis-OH WAIT-THIS IS IT! hahahaha.

Long story short: I didn't actually self-sabotage knowingly. It was my first half and to my amazement out of the swim and off the bike I was still hanging with the front of the pack and felt great. I got to about mile 5 of the run and spontaneously started puking up my guts.

Because of the summer's horrible air quality I hadn't done much training in the heat. I wasn't "committed" enough to keep going regardless and it was 97 degrees and my anniversary. I wasn't interested in spending it in the emergency room (I have done that a few times before!). Afterall, we had dinner reservations :rolleyes: and despite what everyone here might think-I'm still a girly girl and was looking forward to actually putting on a dress :)

Thats my story. I'm hoping to avenge the distance this next year, but we'll see.
 
I'll save it for my mid-life crisis-then yah, its inevitable at that point! ha. I'd hate to see FF with a mid-life crisis-OH WAIT-THIS IS IT! hahahaha.

Long story short: I didn't actually self-sabotage knowingly. It was my first half and to my amazement out of the swim and off the bike I was still hanging with the front of the pack and felt great. I got to about mile 5 of the run and spontaneously started puking up my guts.

Because of the summer's horrible air quality I hadn't done much training in the heat. I wasn't "committed" enough to keep going regardless and it was 97 degrees and my anniversary. I wasn't interested in spending it in the emergency room (I have done that a few times before!). Afterall, we had dinner reservations :rolleyes: and despite what everyone here might think-I'm still a girly girl and was looking forward to actually putting on a dress :)

Thats my story. I'm hoping to avenge the distance this next year, but we'll see.

Smart move, I think you made the right choice.

I just followed your link to Jamie Whitmore... wow... inspirational is right!
 
It was kind of odd to have a 14 hour recovery week. Here are the numbers from last week....



Today:

15 minutes of core in the morning followed by 35 miles of hills & drills on the bike. My legs are like Jello. It took me about 25 miles to find some strength. After that it was all down hill... metaphorically speaking.
 
Wow you ironmen are "crazy"! :cheeky:

Seriously though, I have muchos respect for anyone willing to put themselves through such a demanding training program required to compete in such an event.

Great work, really keen to see how you, and Sparrow and FF go.
Keep it up
-Sam

:action11:
 
Yesterday:

15 minutes of core & a 2.5 mile swim

Today:

1.5 mile swim, 35 mile bike, 6 mile run.

Tomorrow is going to be hard.
 
Very interesting to look through your training schedules Tsi. You are a badass, keep up the great work. Ironmen are amazing athletes..

-Daniel
 
Today's episode of idiot-Ironman-athlete consisted of one of those lovely multi brick workouts on hills and in the wind no less....

Bike 39 miles, run 7 miles, bike 39 miles, run 7 miles = 6.5 hours

Those bikes were supposed to be 40 miles each but I can up a little short.
 
Today's episode of idiot-Ironman-athlete consisted of one of those lovely multi brick workouts on hills and in the wind no less....

Bike 39 miles, run 7 miles, bike 39 miles, run 7 miles = 6.5 hours

Those bikes were supposed to be 40 miles each but I can up a little short.

Quitter! No, seriously, tsi, your workouts blow my mind.
 
My coach is the devil.
 
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