The Ironman Training Paradigm Shift

I am a sprint distance triathlete. The last Olympic distance race I did was 3 years ago. The last half Ironman I did was 5 years ago. Since then my “long run” is typically 5 miles. I’ve been protecting/preserving my knees. I had zero plans of ever attempting another Ironman.

Never say never, right?

All of a sudden my 5 mile Sunday Recovery Run has become my short run. It feels effortless, done in a flash. The Paradigm Shift. (Since the 1960s, the concept of a paradigm shift has also been used in numerous non-scientific contexts to describe a profound change in a fundamental model or perception of events, even though Kuhn himself restricted the use of the term to the physical sciences. – Wikipedia).

Fifty miles on the bike was the traditional Saturday long ride. Now it feels short.

Don’t you just love the Ironman Paradigm Shift? I do!

I can already tell that I’m going to have those post Ironman blues.

I am truly enjoying my training and the consistency. My husband told me that he is proud of me!

The Anatomy of a 100 Mile Bike Ride!

This was posted by a friend of mine! Just too good not to share!! Enjoy!

The anatomy of a 100 mile bike ride
by Jason Riffle

Mile 1: lets get this over with

Mile 20: this might not be too bad

Mile 50: half way!!!

Mile 60: man that was only 10 miles?

Mile 80: you think my garmin is working correctly with all these trees?

Mile 85: if I see one more hill!

Mile 90: wtf you mean that was only 5 miles?!?

Mile 95: I really don't give a shit about the last five miles

Mile 96: fml

Mile 97: FML

Mile 98: FMLMF!!!!

Mile 99: @$&&@)&$;$&&(;$&);$&)

Mile 100: that shit wasn't that bad....could of gone harder

Ironman Training - 10 Weeks Down - 9 To Go!

Just finished week 10 in my Ironman training. If you read my prior blog post, you know that I entered the game late. Up until last week it has been a constant mileage build for the bike and run. I am old school and instead of writing up my plan in a spreadsheet, I like to have it on paper. I wrote it using a combination of several plans, including Paula Newby-Fraser’s, Paul Huddle and Roch Frey, and Joe Friel and Gordo Byrn.

Because I started rather late in my training for IM Florida I didn’t schedule a Recovery Week until this past week. True to form, at the beginning of the recovery week I still felt really tired. Ah, but by yesterday not only was my motivation back, but also the spring in my legs.

New Birks for when I'm not training!

The week concluded with a 50 mile bike followed by a 2 mile transition run. The ride was with my local bike club, and it was hilly and challenging, but I was able to crank out two 8:30 miles off bike. The day before I swam 4500 yards, rode 23, and ran 2 off the bike, and was only able to manage 8:45’s. And then today I just had a 4-5 mile easy recovery run, the weather is cooler and I averaged 8:39! Which is my typical end of the run pace at this distance (pre-Ironman training).

Fun Socks that match my Cobb Mobb Kit!

Nine weeks left before the race! I have three more Base Weeks, followed by another Recovery Week. Then two Hard Weeks, and then the Taper begins. Some people taper for two weeks, I’m using a three week taper, going 75% volume for week 1, 50% for week 2, and Race Week will be at about 25% volume.

My Cobb Saddle is saving my butt on the long rides!

My nutrition plan is also going well, and last night I put it all down on paper, planning calories, CHO, and electrolytes for the bike and run.

So far so good! I’ve crested the hill and am rolling down the other side toward Race Day!!

TRISLIDE is saving my feet on the long runs!

PLAN YOUR RACE – RACE YOUR PLAN!!!