So here it is before me. My first century ride ever. My legs are trashed but my mind is right. I am so looking forward to seeing what a long, real long bike ride is about. I have been excited about this ride for a while and usually am when it comes to big training events. Even though the pace will not be "race pace" it is things like this that I live for. I guess this is why I am constantly looking for newer, bigger challenges. This is the stuff that I live for.
Like I said this ride will not be anywhere near as hard (or as long) as the Ironman and certainly will not be followed up by a marathon, however I really look forward to the unknown. Having these events on the schedule are what gets me out of bed at 4:45 on a Monday morning for two rides before work. These are the events that make the 20 mile long runs on Sunday mornings on a hotel treadmill bearable. Bottom line is that this is what everyone needs in their life. It may not be a century or an Ironman for everyone. But people need something that motivates them to be better at something.
My wife and I watch the Biggest loser and time after time it always comes down to the fact that these people buy into the plan and decide to go for it. The people that give up and quit are the ones who don't go all in. Century rides and Ironman races aren't possible unless you really want it. In fact nothing that is worth getting comes without a price. And it's not until people buy into this philosophy that they become the person they are destined to be. Destiny might be a strong word choice here, maybe becoming a complete, happy person would be more appropriate. Anyway you look at it, once you find that one thing that gets you out of bed on the coldest of mornings or without the least bit of hesitation grab a hold and don't let go. Become that person, make it part of who you are. You have to put it all out there for it to pay off and win lose or draw you will be a better, happier person for it. So with that I am off to pack my bag and prep my bike for a good 7 to 8 hour ride tommorrow. Why? because I could not imagine doing anything else.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The real Ironman
More and more as I get further along in my Ironman Lake Placid training I come to the realization that Ironman isn't about the long swims, bikes, and runs. It is about time management and the journey of getting to that start line on July 24th. Working two jobs, looking after a energetic puppy, doing 90% of the work on my addition, and maintaining what I can of a social life is the real difficult part. Give me 3 hours to go out for a 20 mile run any day of the week and you will not hear me complain. The real challenge is making time for that 20 miler and the long mid week bike rides. The short sessions are the ones that are easy to work into an overloaded schedule. However when the schedule says 2.5 hour bike on a Monday that is when ones resolve is put to the test.
They always say that it is the journey not the destination and that is never more evident than in training for an Ironman. At times I don't even feel like I am training for an Ironman. Recovery has been great and I have seamlessly gone from session to session really looking forward to each. However the last couple weeks as we are getting closer to finishing the addition and me heading back to work my time management has been put to the test. Every hour training is one less for me to do other things and lately the guilt has been somewhat present. I say somewhat because this is something I choose to do with the support of my wife and I view training as studying the for the exam. I have to be prepared on that day or I have not given myself or those who support me a fair shake. This Journey is much more that me doing a race, it is also a way of quietly doing what I believe anyone can do if they put their mind to it. Sure I selfishly make time to train when sometimes other things can be more pressing however I take great pride when what I do inspires someone close to me to get out their and do something they never thought possible. Whether it be a 5k run/walk or a full fledged marathon their is something to be said for setting a goal and seeing it through to the end.
The Ironman is 67 days away but already I feel confident that my day will go well. And if it does not then it won't be the first time that in training or during a race that I will have faced adversity and have had to overcome it. The tough days come in training and racing but it's how you deal with them is what really defines success. In 9 and 1/2 weeks all those Monday long rides, double sessions on Tuesdays and back to back weekends with 20+ mile runs will all payoff as I enter the finishers chute at IM Lake Placid.
They always say that it is the journey not the destination and that is never more evident than in training for an Ironman. At times I don't even feel like I am training for an Ironman. Recovery has been great and I have seamlessly gone from session to session really looking forward to each. However the last couple weeks as we are getting closer to finishing the addition and me heading back to work my time management has been put to the test. Every hour training is one less for me to do other things and lately the guilt has been somewhat present. I say somewhat because this is something I choose to do with the support of my wife and I view training as studying the for the exam. I have to be prepared on that day or I have not given myself or those who support me a fair shake. This Journey is much more that me doing a race, it is also a way of quietly doing what I believe anyone can do if they put their mind to it. Sure I selfishly make time to train when sometimes other things can be more pressing however I take great pride when what I do inspires someone close to me to get out their and do something they never thought possible. Whether it be a 5k run/walk or a full fledged marathon their is something to be said for setting a goal and seeing it through to the end.
The Ironman is 67 days away but already I feel confident that my day will go well. And if it does not then it won't be the first time that in training or during a race that I will have faced adversity and have had to overcome it. The tough days come in training and racing but it's how you deal with them is what really defines success. In 9 and 1/2 weeks all those Monday long rides, double sessions on Tuesdays and back to back weekends with 20+ mile runs will all payoff as I enter the finishers chute at IM Lake Placid.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Recovery is the key
So after 3 months of "Ironman" training I am finally getting how important recovery is. Include in that nutrition, rest, active recovery, and supplements and you have the part of Ironman training that is rarely discussed. Sure it pops up from time to time on blogs and various websites but I almost believe it is something you really need to figure out for yourself. It has taken me 3 months to realize that yes I can go out and nail a 20 mile run at 8 min/mi pace and then go out in the yard and work all day, but the end result of that is a buildup of fatigue that simple isn't going away. Every week the fatigue and muscle damage builds and builds until eventually it will get harder to hit my paces and my body will break down. All this has been a good lesson to learn, especially 3 months out from my A race. Any later and it would have no doubt had a major effect on my race.
1) Nutrition- Make sure you are getting plenty of quality calories from fruit, vegetables, and all the major food groups. A well rounded nutrition plan eliminates the need for a multi-vitamin and keeps your energy levels where they need to be to accomplish your training goals.
2) Rest- Short nights of sleep will drive your motivation to train in the ground. You will constantly be chasing that "fresh" feeling, using things like Red Bull and caffeine. Not to say these things can't be a great training aid and used occasionally to boost performance, but relying on them to just get through a training session is a sure sign that you need rest. Aim for at least 8 hours and remember to elevate your legs whenever possible for as long as possible.
3) Active Recovery- This is one of those things that is not for everyone but I feel is real important in keeping you in the game. I need to do something every day to feel connected to the training. If I miss a swim and go for any length of time without getting in the pool I seemingly forget how to swim. I know this is not true but this is how I feel. So even something as simple as a 15 to 20 swim on a off day can make me feel refreshed. They are no pressure sessions with not set goals but keep the body in tune with training. In my opinion a run can never be active recovery. Running is too taxing on the body and for most people the run is the biggest mental task of the 3 sports involved with training.
4) Supplements- This can be the key to putting together all the principles discussed above. Supplements are just that, an additional boost to ones training and aids in recovery of cells and muscles. I have used tons of different supplements for all different sports and have always felt they were a huge part of any plan. Supplements can be abused and they should not be relied on to be the end all be all. But make no mistake a good supplement, produced by a solid company can be huge in aiding in recovery. I would never recommend someone take a multi vitamin because I firmly believe these things should come from a well rounded nutritional plan, but things like Amino Acids, and electrolytes are things that one can not get from diet alone. The addition of these supplements combined with a well rounded diet is the key to success.
Bottom line is that all of these things need to be practiced on a daily basis in some form. From here on out I am making every effort to a) have well rounded nutrition b) rest my legs whenever and wherever I can c) keep my recovery sessions easy and light while working on good form and d) regular use of supplements to aid in recovery. All the swim, bike, and runs are nothing without practicing these additional principles.
1) Nutrition- Make sure you are getting plenty of quality calories from fruit, vegetables, and all the major food groups. A well rounded nutrition plan eliminates the need for a multi-vitamin and keeps your energy levels where they need to be to accomplish your training goals.
2) Rest- Short nights of sleep will drive your motivation to train in the ground. You will constantly be chasing that "fresh" feeling, using things like Red Bull and caffeine. Not to say these things can't be a great training aid and used occasionally to boost performance, but relying on them to just get through a training session is a sure sign that you need rest. Aim for at least 8 hours and remember to elevate your legs whenever possible for as long as possible.
3) Active Recovery- This is one of those things that is not for everyone but I feel is real important in keeping you in the game. I need to do something every day to feel connected to the training. If I miss a swim and go for any length of time without getting in the pool I seemingly forget how to swim. I know this is not true but this is how I feel. So even something as simple as a 15 to 20 swim on a off day can make me feel refreshed. They are no pressure sessions with not set goals but keep the body in tune with training. In my opinion a run can never be active recovery. Running is too taxing on the body and for most people the run is the biggest mental task of the 3 sports involved with training.
4) Supplements- This can be the key to putting together all the principles discussed above. Supplements are just that, an additional boost to ones training and aids in recovery of cells and muscles. I have used tons of different supplements for all different sports and have always felt they were a huge part of any plan. Supplements can be abused and they should not be relied on to be the end all be all. But make no mistake a good supplement, produced by a solid company can be huge in aiding in recovery. I would never recommend someone take a multi vitamin because I firmly believe these things should come from a well rounded nutritional plan, but things like Amino Acids, and electrolytes are things that one can not get from diet alone. The addition of these supplements combined with a well rounded diet is the key to success.
Bottom line is that all of these things need to be practiced on a daily basis in some form. From here on out I am making every effort to a) have well rounded nutrition b) rest my legs whenever and wherever I can c) keep my recovery sessions easy and light while working on good form and d) regular use of supplements to aid in recovery. All the swim, bike, and runs are nothing without practicing these additional principles.
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