Again, I need to find a paperbag to breathe in because I have less than 2 weeks before the race. To be honest, I am a little nervous..ok a lot nervous and even flat out scared. I think if anyone tells you that they aren't nervous and scared then they either are lying or even more crazy than the normal person who attempts this distance.
The swim is a huge X factor because it is the Ohio River and the racing conditions depend on the weather the day of and the days prior. If it rains beforehand, then the current can be strong. The first third to half a mile is upstream while the rest is downstream. The key is working hard enough to go upstream without expending all the energy.
I will have more thoughts as it gets closer..but right now, I need alka seltzer....
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Muncie Endurathon - Run...or walk
This is the final installment of the Muncie Endurathon...the Run/walk.
When I finally came in from bike portion, I was ready to do the 13.1m run. I got to my slot, grabbed my wet socks, and shoes, rung them out, put them on and then...I needed to go to the bathroom.
What I enjoy about the longer races especially the half-irons, tinman (old phrase) or 70.3s as they are commonly known now, is that they are more relaxed because of the distance. Taking an extra 10 seconds to put on socks or 30 seconds to use the port johns will not significantly affect your time because that time can be made up. In the shorter races, sprint and olympic, ever second counts, so I normally don't wear socks on the bike and am considering switching to the zoot shoes which were designed to run without socks. Did I need those shoes that day.
Everythin was fine during run, the rain stopped and the sun was starting to come out...it was getting hot...but luckily they were handing out wet towels...it was getting really hot...only 12.5 miles left.
After three miles, my feet started to hurt, not because of running but because of running with wet socks. I started to develop blisters...one on each toe and on each blister. I saw an elite athlete run in barefeet carrying his shoes...maybe he feels my pain.
Well...my high hopes of running turned into a walking. With the blistering heat and rolling hills, a normal walk turned into 16 minute per mile run up and down hills. It was brutal. I used the wet towel to cover my head. Oh yeah, when you are out in the heat, a visor just doesn't cut it...USE A FULL HAT!
200 meters from the finish line, I think everyone passed me except one or two competitors and I was about to let them pass me...so I ran...I ran until I reached the finished line....finally...my feet hurt.
When I finally came in from bike portion, I was ready to do the 13.1m run. I got to my slot, grabbed my wet socks, and shoes, rung them out, put them on and then...I needed to go to the bathroom.
What I enjoy about the longer races especially the half-irons, tinman (old phrase) or 70.3s as they are commonly known now, is that they are more relaxed because of the distance. Taking an extra 10 seconds to put on socks or 30 seconds to use the port johns will not significantly affect your time because that time can be made up. In the shorter races, sprint and olympic, ever second counts, so I normally don't wear socks on the bike and am considering switching to the zoot shoes which were designed to run without socks. Did I need those shoes that day.
Everythin was fine during run, the rain stopped and the sun was starting to come out...it was getting hot...but luckily they were handing out wet towels...it was getting really hot...only 12.5 miles left.
After three miles, my feet started to hurt, not because of running but because of running with wet socks. I started to develop blisters...one on each toe and on each blister. I saw an elite athlete run in barefeet carrying his shoes...maybe he feels my pain.
Well...my high hopes of running turned into a walking. With the blistering heat and rolling hills, a normal walk turned into 16 minute per mile run up and down hills. It was brutal. I used the wet towel to cover my head. Oh yeah, when you are out in the heat, a visor just doesn't cut it...USE A FULL HAT!
200 meters from the finish line, I think everyone passed me except one or two competitors and I was about to let them pass me...so I ran...I ran until I reached the finished line....finally...my feet hurt.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Training for the week
After breathing in a bag, I continued my training for the week.
Before that, let me address the topics of which plan, training book, are the ideal books to use.
There are many books out there! I own the following:
1. Going Long which can be found here http://www.amazon.com/Going-Long-Ironman-Distance-Triathlons-Multisport/dp/1931382247
2. Triathlete Magazine - Essential Week by Week Training Guide
http://www.amazon.com/Triathlete-Magazines-Essential-Week-Training/dp/0446696765/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218225505&sr=1-1
3. The 12-Week Triathlete: Train for a Triathlon in Just Three Months
http://www.amazon.com/12-Week-Triathlete-Train-Triathlon-Months/dp/1592331262/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218225559&sr=1-1
4. Start to Finish Ironman Training 24 Weeks to an Endurance Triathlon
http://www.amazon.com/Finish-Ironman-Training-Endurance-Triathlon/dp/1841261025/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218225619&sr=1-1
There are a few that I have but these are the ones I refer to.
You should probably read them all because they all have useful information. #1 is good book to read for the ironman, I didn't follow there plan but instead took some of the information such as strategies during the bike. #3 is simple and step by step by step. #4 is simple also and has a training program. #2 is strictly training programs.
Since I was plagued with injury this year, I have been training for the most part using #3 along with some tidbits from the other books. Before embarking on this crazy adventure and choosing a program, you should really look at goals and performance levels.
This week, I rode my trainer on Tuesday and did intervals...I really don't like riding indoors especially on a trainer because the vibration tends to make the crotch area numb. But this time, it wasn't bad because I switch saddles to an SMP with a cut out. This is a good saddle and I will write more about it later.
Wednesday, I swam 1.5 miles with a 400yd warm up, followed up with some 59yd drills and the interval of 3 X 300,200,100 and 15 sec rest in between.
Thursday, I rode about 30m then ran about 40 minutes.
Today...I am tired and gearing up for 100m ride tomorrow....Although I should have swam today. Maybe later.
Before that, let me address the topics of which plan, training book, are the ideal books to use.
There are many books out there! I own the following:
1. Going Long which can be found here http://www.amazon.com/Going-Long-Ironman-Distance-Triathlons-Multisport/dp/1931382247
2. Triathlete Magazine - Essential Week by Week Training Guide
http://www.amazon.com/Triathlete-Magazines-Essential-Week-Training/dp/0446696765/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218225505&sr=1-1
3. The 12-Week Triathlete: Train for a Triathlon in Just Three Months
http://www.amazon.com/12-Week-Triathlete-Train-Triathlon-Months/dp/1592331262/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218225559&sr=1-1
4. Start to Finish Ironman Training 24 Weeks to an Endurance Triathlon
http://www.amazon.com/Finish-Ironman-Training-Endurance-Triathlon/dp/1841261025/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218225619&sr=1-1
There are a few that I have but these are the ones I refer to.
You should probably read them all because they all have useful information. #1 is good book to read for the ironman, I didn't follow there plan but instead took some of the information such as strategies during the bike. #3 is simple and step by step by step. #4 is simple also and has a training program. #2 is strictly training programs.
Since I was plagued with injury this year, I have been training for the most part using #3 along with some tidbits from the other books. Before embarking on this crazy adventure and choosing a program, you should really look at goals and performance levels.
This week, I rode my trainer on Tuesday and did intervals...I really don't like riding indoors especially on a trainer because the vibration tends to make the crotch area numb. But this time, it wasn't bad because I switch saddles to an SMP with a cut out. This is a good saddle and I will write more about it later.
Wednesday, I swam 1.5 miles with a 400yd warm up, followed up with some 59yd drills and the interval of 3 X 300,200,100 and 15 sec rest in between.
Thursday, I rode about 30m then ran about 40 minutes.
Today...I am tired and gearing up for 100m ride tomorrow....Although I should have swam today. Maybe later.
How many more weeks left??????
On Monday I looked at the calendar only to see that four weeks are left before the race. WOW...four weeks...wow...four weeks.....yeah.......
Monday, August 4, 2008
Muncie Endurathon - Bike
When I finally came out of the water, I saw the dark gray clouds and the rain coming down hard, and thought to myself - "56 miles in the rain...nice."
My attitude for half-irons are completely different than olympics and sprints. In the latter, it is a rush rush mentality...I need to get through as fast as I can. In half irons or 70.3s, I relax and take my time because there is a long ride ahead of me. That day, I was even less of a rush because of the rain.
I am not a strong swimmer at all so when I reached the T1 (1st transition), half of the bikes were gone. Cycling is my strongest part, especially since I have been racing bikes since I was 12, so I wasn't too worried.
The course was nice and smooth until the last 10 miles or so. The beginning leg of the course went through what looked like former railroad tracks that were paved over and not used as a bike path. After that we made a left on to some a 4 lane road which was still smooth.
My strategy for these races is to warm up for at least for the first third or first half and spin on the small front ring and then shift to the larger ring on the second half of the course.
Although the rain was sometimes painful, it did provide relief from the heat.
I didn't get passed too much and the people who did pass me looked like pros...all decked out in their aero wheels.
I pretty much traded spots with a few people but then at the end picked up the pace until the end.
One of things I am always amazed about is the aid stations because trying to grab a water bottle at 15 mph is tough and with the rain, it made it funny. I saw many people grab the bottle but then drop it and volunteers running alongside the riders to hand them bottles.
This is a big difference from the sprints and olympic is distance is the presence of aid stations.
After being the saddle for 3 hours, I was glad to see the transition....
My attitude for half-irons are completely different than olympics and sprints. In the latter, it is a rush rush mentality...I need to get through as fast as I can. In half irons or 70.3s, I relax and take my time because there is a long ride ahead of me. That day, I was even less of a rush because of the rain.
I am not a strong swimmer at all so when I reached the T1 (1st transition), half of the bikes were gone. Cycling is my strongest part, especially since I have been racing bikes since I was 12, so I wasn't too worried.
The course was nice and smooth until the last 10 miles or so. The beginning leg of the course went through what looked like former railroad tracks that were paved over and not used as a bike path. After that we made a left on to some a 4 lane road which was still smooth.
My strategy for these races is to warm up for at least for the first third or first half and spin on the small front ring and then shift to the larger ring on the second half of the course.
Although the rain was sometimes painful, it did provide relief from the heat.
I didn't get passed too much and the people who did pass me looked like pros...all decked out in their aero wheels.
I pretty much traded spots with a few people but then at the end picked up the pace until the end.
One of things I am always amazed about is the aid stations because trying to grab a water bottle at 15 mph is tough and with the rain, it made it funny. I saw many people grab the bottle but then drop it and volunteers running alongside the riders to hand them bottles.
This is a big difference from the sprints and olympic is distance is the presence of aid stations.
After being the saddle for 3 hours, I was glad to see the transition....
Thank you for your support
My blog is not always completely updated so I hope to finish up my thoughts from the muncie race and continue with a brief description of my training regiment these past few weeks and the next 4.5 till race day.
I would like to take time to thank all of those who came up to me and showed their support. I have dedicated this race to my family, especially my mom who is suffering from kidney failure and dad who is very supportive of her, Our Lady (who has protected me) and the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius.
I was trying to bring awareness to kidney problems but the many organizations that I contacted weren't very helpful. On the contrary Fr. Phillips and St. John Cantius and the parishoners have been very supportive my efforts to not only finish the race by race money for the Canons.
I have been training all spring and summer amidst the stresses of life and various injuries but when I see all of you approach my display, talk about triathlons and donate whatever you can, it helps get through the 100 mile bike rides and and 13 mile runs.
I have finished the race yet so please stop by and and say hello, it does mean a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the Canons.
I would like to take time to thank all of those who came up to me and showed their support. I have dedicated this race to my family, especially my mom who is suffering from kidney failure and dad who is very supportive of her, Our Lady (who has protected me) and the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius.
I was trying to bring awareness to kidney problems but the many organizations that I contacted weren't very helpful. On the contrary Fr. Phillips and St. John Cantius and the parishoners have been very supportive my efforts to not only finish the race by race money for the Canons.
I have been training all spring and summer amidst the stresses of life and various injuries but when I see all of you approach my display, talk about triathlons and donate whatever you can, it helps get through the 100 mile bike rides and and 13 mile runs.
I have finished the race yet so please stop by and and say hello, it does mean a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the Canons.
To do list
It is less than a month until the race and I still have many things to add to this blog. Here is my list:
1. running styles (updated)
2. running shoes
3. difference between sprint and olympic vs. half-iron vs. iron - preparation, strategy, clothing etc.
4. hydration - fuelbelt vs. water bottles vs. camelback
5. nutrition
6. stretching
7. clothing
I may be competing in the Longhorn 70.3 in October so I hope to get through all of this by then.
1. running styles (updated)
2. running shoes
3. difference between sprint and olympic vs. half-iron vs. iron - preparation, strategy, clothing etc.
4. hydration - fuelbelt vs. water bottles vs. camelback
5. nutrition
6. stretching
7. clothing
I may be competing in the Longhorn 70.3 in October so I hope to get through all of this by then.
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