OK! Ironman training has meant a pile to me and I will share some of that meaning here if I can.
It is very spiritual in nature so explaingin it becomes nearly impossible, otherwise it wouldn't be spriitual.
so physically we are planning on a sustained cario and beyond heart rate for in excess of 12-15 hours MINIMUM!! this is much more than peeps can fathom, though they think they can. I actually thought I could, and as I get closer (abotu 1/2 way) I realize I am yet to have a clue, but here is what I have learned and experienced so far!!
1. Capacity is a state of mind- in relation to past "experience" not current consideration. >> when I had never strained my body for 60 straight minutes, I knew not what 60 minutes would be like.
same at 90, 120, 180 (3 hours), 240 minutes, 300 minutes, 360 minutes, can you IMAGINE!!! I CAN--- I have been up to and through 420 (7 hours)
2. Shut up and sweat! >> this is a big statement in Ironman circles and it really says alot. When you get into major endurance circles, everybody will get ground down so fine, and transparency will show all, so just shut up and sweat! see you at the finish, or at least the banquet.
3. Balance the discipline >>> we are going to swim for a "while" then we are going to ride for a "while" and then run for a "while" breath, plan, and keep your head, or YOU WILL NOT MAKE IT! think about this in relevance to weights, cardio, and nutrition.
4. Nutrition is the only way to finish Ironman >>> very few people will develop mentally enough to completely deplete their body of potential. BUT- EVERY IRONMAN CONTENDER WILL! therefore- a nutrition plan is critical.
5. Ironman is not a race, IT IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT >>> only an ironman knows what that means. I understand a 70.3 and soon I will understand 140.6
6. When you cry count it as sweat-- we ALL sweat.
7. Willing to suffer! there is no other way! volunteer for it, place yourself within it, embrace it, fight it, surrender to it, and it will become your "MATE"
THERE!! a few things that apply to so many other things....
NOW- here's what I think is cool about Ironman training and results.
I can "WEAR YOU OUT." Few can hang with my daily workout, let alone 3 days to a week! I FF'in love that.
Nobody, or very few, have any clue what the experience is like after 180 minutes, and I have gone beyond double that--- very personal thing.
When I meet or pass an ironman "WE KNOW" what it is like to swim soooo long the goggles fill with tears, and then pull them off and ride until your crotch bleeds, so that you can get off that bike and run on feet that are soooo soft they begin to dissentigrate within the socks (seeemingly).
bottom line--- FOLLOW the plan and you will be amazed at what you are able to do.
oh yeah,,, one other thing---
look at today and tomorrow in your training plan-- ONLY. OTHERWISE is ive OVERWHELMING!!!!
another thing--- when the concience mind panics and gives up, the subconcience mind will take over and get you to new levels. SO pick something-- anything,,, like planks and see where the edge really is. and then you will find out that is only where the edge "WAS"
and the 'thrill of the edge, is knowing it is actually the edge.'
oh yeah and finally--- reading all this makes you no closer to understanding what training for ironman is than viewing the event on T.V.
sweat daily!
FF
