all is well: completed 14 miles in record time this morning; feeling strong in preparation for sea half over t-day weekend;
this week successfully "rode" fuji for a bit each evening and identified a few possible mentors; joined masters' swim club and make that focus for dec.
it's easy to see how this can become all-consuming, but equally-exciting to strike the careful balance between getting the most out of this experience w/o it invading the rest of my personal life.
to-date...
hopes: finish '09 ironman in under 17 hours
fears: too many to name
lessons learned: mind over matter, e.g. it's only as tough as you make it
best practices: lotsa water & ice before, plenty of bananas/potassium after
motivation mantra: "...because i can...because i can...because i CAN!"
drs
p.s. 44 weeks & counting...
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
fear #1: i can't sit at my *desk* for 7 hours...
...so how am i gonna sit on a BIKE for the equivalent of a work day?!
good Q! so i stragezied (my fave part of this adventure):
start with 20 mins every eve after work, no matter what time i got home, then worked up to 90 over the wknd
may not seem like much, but it's honestly my greatest concern...today, that is.
sat will involve 11 mi worth of running -- and did i mention my other '09 ambition?
Espanol!
i've loaded 8 discs of michael thomas on my 'pod, which should help pass the time in the weeks (months!) to come
wish me luck ...and remember, there IS no finish line!
drs
**
an excerpt from Rich Stauss (http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/race-day-prep/mental-focus-for-the-ironman-000565.php):
"After my Kona race, a client asked me about the mental focus required for a successful race.
I went through Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in January through March, 1996. It was the coldest winter in 100 years. For one exercise we had to negotiate a very long obstacle course, which included the Quigley, a small creek, covered in ice. The instructors had us break the ice with the butts of our M-16's just so we could get in the water. For the exercise, I was the leader of a four man fire team. The other three guys were very thin runner types and they were absolutely suffering in the cold water.
The instructor yelled at them and said "I didn't put you in that water, you did. You asked for this. You have asked for the privilege of leading me and my Marines. You earn it in that water. Suck it up, Buttercup."
The body will do amazing things, when driven by the single-minded focus created through clarity of purpose. In short, identify why you want to do this to yourself and then commit your head to driving your body to the edge of your physical envelope.
In the words of Jack Palance in City Slickers, it's the One Thing..."
good Q! so i stragezied (my fave part of this adventure):
start with 20 mins every eve after work, no matter what time i got home, then worked up to 90 over the wknd
may not seem like much, but it's honestly my greatest concern...today, that is.
sat will involve 11 mi worth of running -- and did i mention my other '09 ambition?
Espanol!
i've loaded 8 discs of michael thomas on my 'pod, which should help pass the time in the weeks (months!) to come
wish me luck ...and remember, there IS no finish line!
drs
**
an excerpt from Rich Stauss (http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/race-day-prep/mental-focus-for-the-ironman-000565.php):
"After my Kona race, a client asked me about the mental focus required for a successful race.
I went through Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in January through March, 1996. It was the coldest winter in 100 years. For one exercise we had to negotiate a very long obstacle course, which included the Quigley, a small creek, covered in ice. The instructors had us break the ice with the butts of our M-16's just so we could get in the water. For the exercise, I was the leader of a four man fire team. The other three guys were very thin runner types and they were absolutely suffering in the cold water.
The instructor yelled at them and said "I didn't put you in that water, you did. You asked for this. You have asked for the privilege of leading me and my Marines. You earn it in that water. Suck it up, Buttercup."
The body will do amazing things, when driven by the single-minded focus created through clarity of purpose. In short, identify why you want to do this to yourself and then commit your head to driving your body to the edge of your physical envelope.
In the words of Jack Palance in City Slickers, it's the One Thing..."
Sunday, October 12, 2008
So, your next question is likely: How? Glad you asked!
Seemingly most logical advice I've received thus far: If you can make the run your strongest leg of the event, you'll be better off. The most successful endurance triathletes come from a marathon base (Capitol City 2003). Why? Because mentally it is important to look forward to the run after completing the first two legs of the event.
Almost every other Ironman I've talked with agree that your strength and attitude about the run is a big factor in determining whether or not you'll finish the race. (I will.)
As a result, I'm in training for the Seattle Half Marathon (T-day weekend). Other "tools" of the trade:
Basic Requirements to Having a Good Ironman - Preparation, Patience, Optimism
http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/triathlon-training/basic-requirements-to-having-a-good-ironman-preparation-patience-optimism-001159.php
36 Week Ironman Training Program
http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/ironman-workouts/
The average hours per week devoted to training for the World Championship generally fall between 18 and 22. (For comparison, I spend approx 10/wk now.)
Average training distances for the three events:
Miles per week swimming: 7 (11.3 km)
Miles per week biking: 232 (373.3 km)
Miles per week running: 48 (77.2 km)
Glad you're living vicariously?
Next installment: review of off-season strategy, hopes & fears, e.g. OMG I can't even sit at my DESK for 7 hours, HOW am I going to sit on a bike for that long?
45 wks & counting...
drs
**
eyes on the prize
Almost every other Ironman I've talked with agree that your strength and attitude about the run is a big factor in determining whether or not you'll finish the race. (I will.)
As a result, I'm in training for the Seattle Half Marathon (T-day weekend). Other "tools" of the trade:
Basic Requirements to Having a Good Ironman - Preparation, Patience, Optimism
http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/triathlon-training/basic-requirements-to-having-a-good-ironman-preparation-patience-optimism-001159.php
36 Week Ironman Training Program
http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/ironman-workouts/
The average hours per week devoted to training for the World Championship generally fall between 18 and 22. (For comparison, I spend approx 10/wk now.)
Average training distances for the three events:
Miles per week swimming: 7 (11.3 km)
Miles per week biking: 232 (373.3 km)
Miles per week running: 48 (77.2 km)
Glad you're living vicariously?
Next installment: review of off-season strategy, hopes & fears, e.g. OMG I can't even sit at my DESK for 7 hours, HOW am I going to sit on a bike for that long?
45 wks & counting...
drs
**
eyes on the prize
Friday, October 10, 2008
Because I Can: Iron Man 2009 (324 days & counting)
a little under two weeks ago i started a journey towards ironman -- yep, The Ironman. why? it's in the title: because i can.
over the next 46 wks you can take the plunge with me. on aug 30, 2009 my training will culminate in the Ironman Louisville
Swim 3.86 kms
Bike 180.25 kms
Run 42.16
...and i've got 17 hours to finish.
consider this your official invitation to live vicariously with me over the next 300+ days.
who's with me?
drs
**
what i want to be, i am now -- roosevelt
over the next 46 wks you can take the plunge with me. on aug 30, 2009 my training will culminate in the Ironman Louisville
Swim 3.86 kms
Bike 180.25 kms
Run 42.16
...and i've got 17 hours to finish.
consider this your official invitation to live vicariously with me over the next 300+ days.
who's with me?
drs
**
what i want to be, i am now -- roosevelt
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