Going the "Full" Distance
As I approached the bulk weeks in my 13 Weeks to Half Ironman plan I'd noticed that the plan is not all that much unlike the 13 Weeks - 13 Hours to Ironman plan. Now thinking that the full Great Floridian would be the real challenge as I am able to cover the half distances somewhat easily I was in serious debate with myself over whether or not I could complete the full.....healthy. By 'healthy' I mean not out walking the course my face half hanging off at hour 17 only to collapse just before the cut off.
I know this happens to people every Iron distance for one reason or another mostly nutrition. People have bad days. Even after careful planning and preperation over a much greater period of time than I've taken. This could very well happen to me but I dont want poor preperation to be the reason I DNF'd. Id rather it was something like 'Hit by pick up truck!' (ever been to Clermont?) or 'Struck by lighting!'. Not, 'Bit off more than he could chew'.
Having heard that the course in Clermont is somewhat hilly I spent two consecutive weekends riding the course. The first Saturday, 100 miles. The second, 120 miles. This was not without its pain and cramping as the course was far hillier and windier than I ever expected. Beautiful, but hilly. I also took a few good lumps in nutrition and salt intake which Im sure played a role in the near debilitating cramps I experienced that first day the second time up SugarLoaf. These types of workouts far exceeded anything in the Bernhardt plan but I found them a necessary evil to prepare for the hills.
Having worked on fixing some of the bugs in my nutrition and pacing program Im hoping I can finish the race in around 15:30. I know that this is outside the plans title of "13 hours" but the plan also suggests not choosing a hilly course for your first iron distance race. I also cannot afford to run as hard as I'd like and need remain vigilant at not putting my knee under more stress than it can stand. Im not out to break any course records I just want to finish with a smile. Or at least a grin. :)
A few things I will be changing for this race that I've not used in a race before but have been using in training.
1: Wear HRM.
2: Switching from 12/23 to a 12/25. I gotta make the hills just a little easier.
3: Salt, Salt, Salt. (in the form of Hammer Endurolytes)
4: Socks. These distances are just too hard on my feet.
5: Sunscreen. I know. I'm bad. I never use this stuff but both times out at Clermont I got cooked.
Also Id like to note that as my training has gone to LSD ie., two weekends ago 5 hour ride Saturday, 3 hour run Sunday ALL ALONE I have a severe dislike for this distance. Its not Ironman its Lonelyman! I hate being out for such long periods of time on my own in an effort to be certain I stay within my own pace and limits.
The first couple hours its nice and peaceful. Mile 82?! Im ready to trash the bicycle and walk home. Mile 82 is my magic number. Its the spot where my brain begins to succomb to the discomfort and heat and little discomforts feel like huge frustrating problems. Mole hills become mountains. On every ride I've done of 80+ miles when I hit 82 it requires quite a bit of focus to push through the bad time.
I find this method of training extremely dull and I sometimes dread the workout. That's not to say I don't love the accomplishment. I never in a million years thought I could do 120 miles in a day and be semi-ready to go again the next. After the hills my legs feel solid. I've got muscles I never knew existed. Never stronger. This is a huge mental and personal boost. But, at the same time I miss out on a lot of family time because of the long weekend workouts and I find myself feeling incredibly guilty. I find myself picturing what my family is doing when Im only half way out....probably sleeping...still I miss them.
Thankfully the work is now done and Im in taper. When its all over with I don't know what Im going to do with my giant base of fitness combined with my desire to spend more time at home. Hate to let it all go but I gots priorities and my girls are it.
This weekend is it. Wish me luck.Sean Mayhew
Sean Mayhew
Sean Mayhew
Sean Mayhew
Sean Mayhew
I know this happens to people every Iron distance for one reason or another mostly nutrition. People have bad days. Even after careful planning and preperation over a much greater period of time than I've taken. This could very well happen to me but I dont want poor preperation to be the reason I DNF'd. Id rather it was something like 'Hit by pick up truck!' (ever been to Clermont?) or 'Struck by lighting!'. Not, 'Bit off more than he could chew'.
Having heard that the course in Clermont is somewhat hilly I spent two consecutive weekends riding the course. The first Saturday, 100 miles. The second, 120 miles. This was not without its pain and cramping as the course was far hillier and windier than I ever expected. Beautiful, but hilly. I also took a few good lumps in nutrition and salt intake which Im sure played a role in the near debilitating cramps I experienced that first day the second time up SugarLoaf. These types of workouts far exceeded anything in the Bernhardt plan but I found them a necessary evil to prepare for the hills.
Having worked on fixing some of the bugs in my nutrition and pacing program Im hoping I can finish the race in around 15:30. I know that this is outside the plans title of "13 hours" but the plan also suggests not choosing a hilly course for your first iron distance race. I also cannot afford to run as hard as I'd like and need remain vigilant at not putting my knee under more stress than it can stand. Im not out to break any course records I just want to finish with a smile. Or at least a grin. :)
A few things I will be changing for this race that I've not used in a race before but have been using in training.
1: Wear HRM.
2: Switching from 12/23 to a 12/25. I gotta make the hills just a little easier.
3: Salt, Salt, Salt. (in the form of Hammer Endurolytes)
4: Socks. These distances are just too hard on my feet.
5: Sunscreen. I know. I'm bad. I never use this stuff but both times out at Clermont I got cooked.
Also Id like to note that as my training has gone to LSD ie., two weekends ago 5 hour ride Saturday, 3 hour run Sunday ALL ALONE I have a severe dislike for this distance. Its not Ironman its Lonelyman! I hate being out for such long periods of time on my own in an effort to be certain I stay within my own pace and limits.
The first couple hours its nice and peaceful. Mile 82?! Im ready to trash the bicycle and walk home. Mile 82 is my magic number. Its the spot where my brain begins to succomb to the discomfort and heat and little discomforts feel like huge frustrating problems. Mole hills become mountains. On every ride I've done of 80+ miles when I hit 82 it requires quite a bit of focus to push through the bad time.
I find this method of training extremely dull and I sometimes dread the workout. That's not to say I don't love the accomplishment. I never in a million years thought I could do 120 miles in a day and be semi-ready to go again the next. After the hills my legs feel solid. I've got muscles I never knew existed. Never stronger. This is a huge mental and personal boost. But, at the same time I miss out on a lot of family time because of the long weekend workouts and I find myself feeling incredibly guilty. I find myself picturing what my family is doing when Im only half way out....probably sleeping...still I miss them.
Thankfully the work is now done and Im in taper. When its all over with I don't know what Im going to do with my giant base of fitness combined with my desire to spend more time at home. Hate to let it all go but I gots priorities and my girls are it.
This weekend is it. Wish me luck.Sean Mayhew
Sean Mayhew
Sean Mayhew
Sean Mayhew
Sean Mayhew
posted by Migofast at
8:00 PM
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