The one thing about training daily is that days tend to blend into each other and weeks fly by. It seemed like just yesterday I had 100 days until China. Today I noticed I'm down to 29 days. On my run tonight, it hit me that it's already February. I started full Ironman training 10 weeks ago. It seems like I just started a month ago. As I was finishing my run, I was wondering if I was in good enough shape to finish the Ironman? My answer was "yes". Then my next question was "am I in good enough shape to race the Ironman and qualify for Kona?". My answer was "I'm not so sure".
I have 4 more weeks of training to go. My focus is to finish strong, doing every workout to the best of my ability and try to stay healthy and injury free. Right now I'm not optimistic that I'm going to have a great race in China, my cycling is sub par. But, I have 29 days to go and there is still time to improve.
If I'm going to have a good race, it's not going to happen by taking it easy right now. The only way I'm going to have a Kona qualifying race is if I keep my training strong. Then at least I have a chance of an out of body, kick ass, race experience.
Via twitter, Johan motivated me to get to the YMCA this afternoon. He said "@ brybrarobry think of the Y as your farewell from the shitty cold to a hot & sunny training vacation". That was a turning point that got me out the door to tackle my swim and weights workout.
I was scheduled to swim tomorrow, but did it today. I'm flying to Los Angeles tomorrow and didn't see how I could fit the swim in around the travel. Mentally it was a tough swim today, but I ended up posting some respectable times.
The main set was 20 x 100 meters, with a 10 second rest after the 1st and 2nd and a 45 second rest after the third, then repeat. My fastest was 1:30 and my slowest was 1:38. I was happy with that. Following the swim I did my weights.
Before I did my speed run tonight, I took Alice out for a Valentines dinner since I'm going to be away during Valentines day. I had a nice big Sirloin Steak, with potatoes, onion rings and an apple pie and ice cream style dessert. It's my last pig out for the next 11 days. I justified eating all that food as Carbo loading for Saturday's long ride and brick run. Ah... how we can justify anything.
I really didn't want to do my speed work run tonight. I had a full stomach and I'm sick of running in the cold. It was also getting late and I needed to pack and shave my legs. In keeping with my finish strong mentality I pushed myself out the door. This was a "separate the men from the boys" moment. It was one of the longer speed work sessions on the schedule and as Mike says, "I couldn't mail this one in".
It turned out that I had a really good speed work session. It felt like my legs were motoring on their own and my upper body was along for the ride. That doesn't happen often, but when it does, it feels magical.
After a good stretch, it was "shave my legs time". I can't show up to a bike ride with furry legs. I'd look like some Canadian Sasquatch and the fur would slow me down. With all that said, saved legs are a sign that triathlon season is about to begin and who doesn't like the feel and look of shaved legs.
Now all I have to do is pack and I'm ready to go.
Speed Swim - 1:04:05 / 3000 meters
Weights Chisel - 30 minutes
Speed Run - 1:10:59 / 14.84 km / 4:46 pace
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8 comments:
Make sure that you leave some Draino at home for when the drain clogs up from all that hair!
Have fun in the sun and don't forget the sunscreen!
Wow I threw up a little bit in my mouth after seeing that photo :P
But you gotta change that frame of mind! Of course you'll finish and you'll have a great race. Remember there are probably 1000+ other people in training for IM China all having the same thoughts, the same training pains.
You have a good plan that you have been following, you're in great shape, you've been doing great without the beer and that will continue on into China!
Have fun in the sun you lucky bastard :)
Shaving your legs!!!! You wouldn't catch me doing that, shaving is for sissies!!! I EPILATE! Tear it out by the routes - that's how real men de-hair their legs. Last longer, less prickly in bed (I'm told by the wife).
And the best bit it's far more painful - just the job for a proper masochist.
B
Well done on fitting in all the session especially after dinner. That is awesome.
J
Brybrarobry,
I have never shaved my legs...should I for tje bike and swim? haha. no clue...
Your training looks amazing to me...and I am wondering if one day I will be able to challenge IM...with preparation of HIM, I am struggling already!...
My Dragon mate Steve Bemmet is really traininghard too to get into Kona in 45-49 Age group...which Age Group are you? How many spots?
Cheers from Hong Kong,
"XTB" Xavi.
So no Immac there then, smells bad but better than epilation...especially wax!
Great run, sounds like your body appreciated that steak fuel up.
Have a great trip :)
Bryan, our performance is only blocked by what our head tells us we can do! You have put in the miles and the sweat to get to the line! Worry about the results when you cross the line not before you get to the start! You will have a great race and Hey! it will be what it will be, and tomorrow you will still be able to do it again! Have a great training trip!
C, don't worry, I'm a pro, most of it went down the toilet. I was going to do it in LA at a hotel, which is my first choice, but I'm staying at my uncle and aunts condo.
R, thanks. I can hardly wait until that plane lands at LAX. Mentally I'll be ready for the race, I just need the legs to be ready. haha.
S, haha. I thought with all the nicks and cuts I give myself it made up for it and it still qualifies me for the real man catagory. Plus with shaving you get one hell of a good stretch. haha
X, you should definitely shave your legs. They say it makes you faster in the water and on the bike. Also if you wipe out on the bike you heal faster. With all that said, I do it because it makes my legs look SEXY. haha. Yes, I'll be in the 45-49 catagory as well. I think they are awarding 5 spots. I have a hunch the competition is going to be much tougher than last year.
JM, thanks. I almost did a mer-man at the pool, then someone showed up. haha.
J, so true, so true. Thanks for the great advice.
B
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