Update - Triathlon Week

sfricks · 09-07-2006, 11:33 AM

The forum has been a little quite so I'll use the lull to update you, my extended family, on my training.

43 days, 17 hours, 26 minutes and 33 seconds to the gun. OK... I'm not that anal. The web site has a count down timer ;)

Man am I tired. Not so much from the workouts but more from life. I still have to get training time in where I can find it. Usually, thats somewhere between 2:30 AM and 5:30 AM. Did my signature 13 mile loop this AM. Fortunately it was very slow with a friend, who out of the blue, signed up for the Florida Challenge (70.3 distance) on the same day as my IM. Although an incredible athlete, he's well short on training AND this will be his first triathlon EVER! I'm impressed but do think he's a few fries short of a Happy Meal. That left my training partner & I doing hill repeats around him but it was fun none the less.

I have 2 more weekends left this month for mileage. 2 more centuries plus a 20 mile run and a 15 mile run. The 25th is the race my Co. sponsors, the now famous Toyota Wall-2-Wall triathlon. I love this race. The swim is an 800m open ocean swim that takes swimmers out over the "Wall at Cane Bay". This wall drops from 30~ feet to well over 3000'. Despite the long shore current and the large surf, it's more like a 14 minute snorkle than an anaerobic swim. The bike takes us out and back St Croix's very hilly North Shore for a 15 mile gorgeous ride. Again, it's more like a shaded Sunday spin, just done at an anaerobic pace :) Finally, the run goes out and back North Shore. Mostly shaded and serious eye candy. Last years race was a slightly different course so I won't be able to compare my times but this is not an "A" race for me so I'm just thinking of it as an E2 workout. Then after the race, we get to go do repeats on "The Beast" - 7/10s of a mile, 18% average grade and spits up to 25%. FEEL THE LOVE!

Then in Oct, 1 more century, one more 13 miler then T_A_P_E_R! Taper is like Christmas, Birthday AND Thanksgiving all rolled into one and is absolutely the most wonderful part of training for an Ironman.

By-the-way... The Sunday after my IM, three of us are flying to North Cuba, uh, em, Miami to watch the Dolphins and the Packers duel it out. Life is good!

hmullett · 09-07-2006, 12:34 PM

Scott~ You da man! Football season officially starts today and I'm a little giddy! I love football season! Eight weeks until my dance, and I'm still going strong.

Here's an update on my training:

Yesterday I had to ditch my 40/12 brick because of LIFE. But, hey it happens. So, I'm doing that one on Saturday. Today was an 18 mile run, my body started to feel it after mile 15, but I kept on. I left the iPod at home to learn to deal with the monatony. Did it in 2:55, a little slower than last time, but I felt it a little more today. I also forgot to take an Advil prior to and I think that had something to do with it. I had a massage scheduled for right after, so she worked out some lactic acid. I'm doing all three disciplines tomorrow, because of yesterday's mess. No more dropping workouts, its party time! I don't know exactly what's in store for me in the 5 weeks. I only get my schedule for two weeks every two weeks. Its kind of nice to do it like that. I'm assuming a 3 week taper (can't wait, but I think I'll feel like I need to be doing something!) So, I know from friends who've used the same coach that I have at least a 22 mile run the week before my taper starts, and I'm pretty sure 2 more centuries (one next week). I know I'll be ready, but its just piecing everything together that makes me nervous. ARRGGH! I want to hear "Heather Mullett, you are an Ironman!"

See ya!

Heather

DOUBLE DOWN · 09-08-2006, 11:04 AM

I enjoy reading your workout updates. Keep them coming for us future ironmen!

How many hours a week are you guys putting in and how is it divided?

Scott, How far is it to St. Barts from your location? I will be down there end of the year, wondered about training on that island.

sfricks · 09-08-2006, 01:53 PM

My workouts are terribly unstructured. I average 10 hour/week, mostly running this year. My life is so hectic due to a 60+ hour/week job, self contracting and self building a major addition on my house, a wife that has recently gotten back into the sport and needs encouragement (from her preferred workout partner - me) and giving to my three kids and 4 dogs... I shant go on about it. Just suffice it to say there's going to be a lot of suffering in October for Scottie! :)

Biking and swimming is WAY off. This year, like most, is a "compete to complete" rather than a "compete to win" race. I will finish, will hear the magic "Iron words" at the finish line and revel in the moment. Then, I'll go watch the girlies play football. My favorite tri quote: "If triathlon was easy, they'd call it football".

You can't work out on St Barths. The hot little nude Frenchies and cold tropical drinks are WAY too distracting! You could slide over to St Marteen/St Martin, just stay away from Orient (nude) beach there. There is a HUGE tri community on St Marteen. Roads are OK, beaches are OK. St Barths is probably to hilly, crowded & narrow to road bike on. Bring your $$$. $45 for pizza & 2 diet cokes! Bon jour.

DOUBLE DOWN · 09-09-2006, 06:04 AM

Yeah,
I had heard how expensive St. Barts is. I'll take my running shoes anyway. Thank God for lifes little distractions!

sfricks · 09-09-2006, 06:44 AM

Running with ONLY your shoes on is acceptable in St B. If you get a chance to kick around your island neighbors, do so. St Martin is lovely. The French side is nicer in my opinion. Wifey & I love Anguilla too which is but a short fairy ride away. Enjoy.