A case of the "not-enoughs" is creeping in. The books I'm reading, the plan I'm doing, all say pretty much the same thing for my goals. But, all of my local friends that are racing TX are doing 4-5 hour rides already (I'm in the 3-4 hr range all month), two are doing a March marathon (I just can't imagine recovering well from that in time to peak just weeks later!). These guys are talking about all of their big 18-20 hour weeks coming up. That's not what my plan looks like. At all.
I know a lot of it is posturing, and part of individual sports. I do think my plans should get me to the finish line happy and healthy (well, I mean…I do have a goal time that would be nice!). But, I think it's normal to compare yourself to others and I sort of feel the need for a little bit of validation that other people who are more similar to me (as opposed to these guys who brag about pushing 600 watts) have had success doing something more like what I am doing.
I also am well aware that all of us are different, respond differently to training, have different goals, different strengths, experience, etc. But, would anyone be willing to share the general numbers in re: to their full training? What were your really long rides, and how many did you do? Longest run? How many times a week were you swimming? Weekly hours?
I'm hybridizing 3 plans, but all of them range from 5-6 hrs max ride, 2.5-3 hr max run, 2-3 swims/week (I do plan to keep 3). My "mentor" is just telling me to take it as it comes and do what I can. But, when I get tired in March/April, I wonder if that ambiguity is going to keep me from pushing the envelope.
Obviously I cannot give you advice on this, but I think following your plans should be fine. You did so well on your half that I doubt you need to kill yourself in training to make your IM goal.
I'm only at 12-14 hours right now, and I just did my first 4 hour ride this weekend. I can't imagine recovering from a March marathon in time for the ironman. I have no experience, so I may be completely clueless, but I don't see the point in being at 18-20 hours already... that just sounds like a recipe for burnout. Plus, I only swim 2x a week
Don't listen to others. This was a big thing I had to overcome. Stick with your plan, not someone else's . Don't think you aren't doing enough because someone is already rising 4 hours. You don't need to be. Soon enough you'll be thanking yourself that you didn't do 4 hour rides already! Tune out the noise!
Long runs: 2 three hour runs Swim: meh, 4,000 yards twice a week in the pool, OWS every Friday and a couple of outdoor 2.4s Bike: 2 100 mile rides! It was enough! Those suckers took me about a week to recover from!
Obviously I cannot give you advice on this, but I think following your plans should be fine. You did so well on your half that I doubt you need to kill yourself in training to make your IM goal.
Thanks my Zoidie-pie! I can't blv I haven't been complaining about this to you & cb before now.
I keep coming back to the fact that I enjoyed the half SO much, and maybe *most* of this can be really fun, too. I'm afraid they are two very different animals, though. We shall see!
Yeah, I have no idea what I'm talking about here. It probably is way different. But I think you really excel at the mental part, and I think that gets you a lot farther than training like a maniac and risking burn out. You can do it!
I'm only at 12-14 hours right now, and I just did my first 4 hour ride this weekend. I can't imagine recovering from a March marathon in time for the ironman. I have no experience, so I may be completely clueless, but I don't see the point in being at 18-20 hours already... that just sounds like a recipe for burnout. Plus, I only swim 2x a week
Yes - thanks. You are ahead of me on rides, and I'm sure running, too. See, I need to stop it!
I also think the marathon and the monster volume already is really not a great idea, especially for their first, too (it's also their first marathon). But whenever we talk about it, they act shocked that I'm doing what I'm doing, but I don't say anything about their stuff except for "wow you guys are going to crush it!" They have the same coach, and so he's got to be writing this stuff up! I really hope they do well and meet all of their goals, though, just like I wish for everyone who starts the race! Anyone who starts the training, at all!
Yeah, I have no idea what I'm talking about here. It probably is way different. But I think you really excel at the mental part, and I think that gets you a lot farther than training like a maniac and risking burn out. You can do it!
Long runs: 2 three hour runs Swim: meh, 4,000 yards twice a week in the pool, OWS every Friday and a couple of outdoor 2.4s Bike: 2 100 mile rides! It was enough! Those suckers took me about a week to recover from!
It was plenty!
Thanks girl. And, I know you are right about tuning them out. THE NOISE IS SO LOUD IN MY EARS THOUGH! lol.
Being an early season race, I'm not sure I'll be able to get more than a couple ows in. Ack.
I'm only at 12-14 hours right now, and I just did my first 4 hour ride this weekend. I can't imagine recovering from a March marathon in time for the ironman. I have no experience, so I may be completely clueless, but I don't see the point in being at 18-20 hours already... that just sounds like a recipe for burnout. Plus, I only swim 2x a week
I also think the marathon and the monster volume already is really not a great idea, especially for their first, too (it's also their first marathon)
I know nothing about doing an Ironman (or any kind of tri for that matter), and I've only run one marathon, but this seems like SUCH A BAD IDEA to me! kams, you've totally got this. You completely rocked your half and I have no doubt you'll do the same at the full. We will be there cheering you on so hard the whole time!
A couple of my friends started training last November for our August race. I started in January. I beat both in the swim and had a faster marathon than one. So, really does doing more get you any further?
I also think the marathon and the monster volume already is really not a great idea, especially for their first, too (it's also their first marathon)
I know nothing about doing an Ironman (or any kind of tri for that matter), and I've only run one marathon, but this seems like SUCH A BAD IDEA to me! kams, you've totally got this. You completely rocked your half and I have no doubt you'll do the same at the full. We will be there cheering you on so hard the whole time!
Thanks my friend! I can't wait to see you all!
I don't think running stand alone marathons are a prerequisite for racing an ironman, but I do think that if you are anything short of a seasoned marathoner, you are a freak of nature if you can jump back into monster IM volume after racing a full! Ouch, I was toast for a long time!
A couple of my friends started training last November for our August race. I started in January. I beat both in the swim and had a faster marathon than one. So, really does doing more get you any further?
I imagine there can be some real benefits to peaking at the right time (as opposed to early), and preserving your body while still gaining that fitness.
Don't listen to others. This was a big thing I had to overcome. Stick with your plan, not someone else's . Don't think you aren't doing enough because someone is already rising 4 hours. You don't need to be. Soon enough you'll be thanking yourself that you didn't do 4 hour rides already! Tune out the noise!
Yes, listen to joenali and zoidberg. Stick with and trust your plan, and let others do their own thing too. It's hard not to compare, but you are indeed mentally and physically strong and will rock this. If it makes you feel any better, I can PM/FB you what I remember of my training before my IMs, and I guarantee you that you are far more prepared than I ever was.
Don't listen to others. This was a big thing I had to overcome. Stick with your plan, not someone else's . Don't think you aren't doing enough because someone is already rising 4 hours. You don't need to be. Soon enough you'll be thanking yourself that you didn't do 4 hour rides already! Tune out the noise!
Yes, listen to joenali and zoidberg. Stick with and trust your plan, and let others do their own thing too. It's hard not to compare, but you are indeed mentally and physically strong and will rock this. If it makes you feel any better, I can PM/FB you what I remember of my training before my IMs, and I guarantee you that you are far more prepared than I ever was.
I suppose I haven't been as busy conquering the world at the same time as you were . Does this feel like deja vu? I think I've come crying to you before every big race, ha!
I suppose I haven't been as busy conquering the world at the same time as you were . Does this feel like deja vu? I think I've come crying to you before every big race, ha!
Lol - and you know what happened every time? You ended up kicking ass and getting a PR. Every. Single. Time.
A couple of my friends started training last November for our August race. I started in January. I beat both in the swim and had a faster marathon than one. So, really does doing more get you any further?
I imagine there can be some real benefits to peaking at the right time (as opposed to early), and preserving your body while still gaining that fitness.
Yes! Just ignore everyone, trust your training, and kick ass like we all know you will!
I know exactly shit about IMs. But I know about you. And I know you're smart enough to believe in your training and in yourself. Plus, you're fucking bad ass, and that's most of what you need.
I know exactly shit about IMs. But I know about you. And I know you're smart enough to believe in your training and in yourself. Plus, you're fucking bad ass, and that's most of what you need.
Geeze T this is motivating! I will write this on my bike or something for the race! (hot)
1. You absolutely DO NOT have to do a marathon before doing an Ironman! In fact, no training plan would ever say that it's a good idea. Why? The recovery is enough to mess up the IM training. Plus, an IM marathon is nothing like a stand-alone marathon, so it cannot possibly prepare you mentally.
2. A lot of people like to talk about how much and what they are doing. I know a guy who constantly posted to FB about how many miles/yards he was doing, his wattage, and all that crap. He was convinced he was going to go around/under 10 hours and possibly qualify for Kona. Guess who blew up on the run? And...guess who beat him overall?
3. Get that time goal out of your head! The only thing that matters is making the cutoffs, which should not be a problem for you. The execution of your race is strictly about finishing it (for this first one). When you have a time goal, the execution (and training) is different. If you have a time goal in your mind, you can get yourself in trouble on race day. On race day, assuming you tapered well, you'll be feeling pretty good and fast. So, you start thinking you can make that time, but you run the risk of pushing too hard (even though it won't feel like it) and jeopardizing your primary goal of crossing the finish line. This will be a mistake that many people will make. Don't! And don't worry. Ironman will be around for a while. You'll have other chances to focus on speed! You want to finish the race feeling happy that you did it, not disappointed about any of it.
4. My bike training for the first IM included 2 or 3 100+ mile rides. Two of them were on the course because we live a couple of hours away. My longest run was 2.5 hours, which was when I started my years-long battle with IT band problems. Every ride was a zone-2 ride or a hilly ride (IMLP is a hilly course). I ended up walking most of the run for both this one and the second IM. The second IM has a whole other crappy story, which I won't get into. But, for my last IM (after having IT band surgery), I did four 100+ mile rides (two on the course), all followed by short (20 min) runs. The first one was two months before race day. My longest run was 14 miles (a little over 2 hours) and that was two months before the race! I put the miles in on the bike so that I could run as much of the marathon as possible. My miles on the bike were a mix of zone-2, tempo, speed work, and hills. Same with the run. I don't think I did any 4000 yard swims (mostly due to time), but I swam 3x per week, with the longest swims around 3200-3500 yards. But remember, I'd already experienced the distance. The most important part of preparing for your first Ironman (or any new distance) is to respect the distance, which means that is what your training should be about and it sounds like that's what you're doing.
5. Everyone will feel like they didn't do enough. But, more isn't better. It's just more. Your cumulative volume is good right now.
If you want me to look more closely at what you're doing, feel free to PM me your weekly plan. I'm not a coach, but I'm pretty knowledgeable.
Yeah I know nothing about the swim and bike, but ditto texassmith about doing a stand-alone marathon and then jumping right back into peak Ironman training, ESPECIALLY if it's a first marathon. That seems like an incredibly stupid move to me. It sounds like you know where you stand and you have a plan in place, so stick to it and I can't wait to meet you in May!
trigal - thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough response. I really appreciate your insight. "More is not better, it's just more" - I love that. And I have a major caveat when I say I have any kind of time goal - I have times that I would love to hit, that are VERY moderate because I've taken into account the fact that there is no way to know what's to come until my toes are in that box. I'm also very comfortable with not hitting ideal times, but instead cutoffs, because I know that I have no way of truly acclimating to that heat and humidity, either, and that it will be a major factor. There are too many unknowns for me to be too goal oriented this time. You are so right - there will be many more opportunities to hit goal times. Thanks again for your input.
Yeah I know nothing about the swim and bike, but ditto texassmith about doing a stand-alone marathon and then jumping right back into peak Ironman training, ESPECIALLY if it's a first marathon. That seems like an incredibly stupid move to me. It sounds like you know where you stand and you have a plan in place, so stick to it and I can't wait to meet you in May!
I'm so excited, too! Yes, they are invincible though, so it's all good
Post by katinthehat on Feb 5, 2014 16:20:58 GMT -5
And I have no idea how much time you are getting here before the race and such, but we've got a great OWS place that's about a half mile course if you want to get in that last minute OWS. Just if that sets your mind at ease at all.
And I have no idea how much time you are getting here before the race and such, but we've got a great OWS place that's about a half mile course if you want to get in that last minute OWS. Just if that sets your mind at ease at all.
I will check in with you about this more as I set my pre-race schedule. I was hoping to get a swim in at Lake Woodlands - I need to check the athlete guide to see if that will be an option. Thanks so much for thinking of this in case I can't swim at the venue.
And I have no idea how much time you are getting here before the race and such, but we've got a great OWS place that's about a half mile course if you want to get in that last minute OWS. Just if that sets your mind at ease at all.
I will check in with you about this more as I set my pre-race schedule. I was hoping to get a swim in at Lake Woodlands - I need to check the athlete guide to see if that will be an option. Thanks so much for thinking of this in case I can't swim at the venue.
There's an official swim workout about three weeks before the race but I don't think you want to come down just for that There's also the swim practice the day before the race but that's just a 1000m loop (which you could do more than once if you wanted, of course).