I definitely have jet lag, it was REALLY tough waking up this morning. I also feel that the minute I got off the plane I started gaining weight. In California I was losing weight. I guess the body knows I'm back in the cold and is intuitively building up a layer of fat to stay warm.
I got some apropos advice from Johan and Jevon today, both 40 something, sub 11 hour Ironman finishers, who's advice I respect. I guess they saw something in my blog posts that compelled them to write.
Johan's Advice: Remember to rest during these last few weeks towards China. You can only lose fitness now if you don't get enough rest/sleep. Gaining of fitness at this stage won't be huge numbers but losing will be if you don't get enough rest.
Jevon's Advice: You're going to fly out there. You've done the training and you're ready. Stick to your targets and don't be greedy even if you're feeling good. Just knock of your target times in swim and bike - don't be tempted to push on, especially on the bike. You'll need everything you've got for that marathon and, in the last 10k when folk are walking... well, that could just be your opportunity to jog past those Kona-slot rivals. Most importantly; congratulate yourself when it's done, whatever the result and think of me when you're having that first beer.
When I read what they sent me, reality set in. China is close, but it finally hit me that China is REALLY CLOSE.
Johan's right, basically my training is done and success is now based on the non physical stuff like rest, sleep and diet. Jevon must have read my mind because I was toying with the idea of pushing really hard, especially on the bike, whereas I should just stay within my heart rate target zone as Mark Allen recommends and let the chips fall where they may.
Today I got an email from Ironman.com. They wanted to notify me that the Kona Ironman lottery closes in 3 days. It got me thinking, should I apply for a lottery spot? I really want to re-experience the magic of the Kona and does it matter if I get in on lottery versus qualifying? My answer was yes, it does matter.
I did Hawaii in 1988 and I got in through the lottery and it was an unbelievable experience. It's the reason I want to go back. But in 1988 it was different. I didn't train anywhere near as much as I do now, I was a middle of pack athlete and didn't have a chance of earning a qualifying spot. At the time, the lottery was the only way I'd get to Hawaii and I have no regrets that got in via the lottery.
However, I've always wished I would have earned a spot via qualification. Over all these years, when I tell someone I've done Kona, I'm asked the same question "how'd you get in?" and every time I'd say "through the lottery" and my stomach turns a bit.
The reason it turns is because I didn't earn the right to be there, instead I just got lucky. Again, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change a thing, but now I feel different. I DO want to go to Hawaii, badly. But I want to be able to answer the question "how'd you get in?" differently. I want to proudly say "I qualified", like I'm able to do for Clearwater, I don't want to say "I got lucky".
With that said, if I had no chance of qualifying. I'd apply for the lottery. No questions asked.
Tonight I was back to the reality of winter training in Canada. It was snowing and not ideal conditions to do running speed work. I couldn't go to the track because it was full of snow. I did the next best thing and ran on the semi-slippery roads. It wasn't my fastest run, but maybe that's a good thing. With the snow and unsure footing, I had to hold back, which lessened the risk of overexertion injury.
It was another night of PUSHING myself out the door. Just the fact of having to put on 2 layers of shirts, wind resistant pants, a outer jacket, a toque and ski gloves was a little depressing. But I did it. As I was doing my main 3 x 1600 meter sets, I was thinking about China. I was thinking "your training in this crummy weather to get to Hawaii, you can't let up now...run strong, run strong, run strong. Doing this is why you have a shot at qualifying for Kona. Is your competition training this hard?".
Speed Run - 1:05:53 / 13.01 km /5:02 pace
Posts
4 comments:
Train hard today to kick their butts tomorrow. ;)
Enjoy the taper, and see your finish time in your head. I know that sounds weird, but a lot of people do it and it works for them.
Swop you snow for rain...
JM, thanks. I agree with the visualization. I'm visualizing that beer the day after the race. haha.
Fair trade, I'll take your rain.
B
100% right about the not pushing on the bike thing. A full IM is way different from a half, you can't just hammer the bike and expect to pull it together on the run because the last 10 miles will get you every time.
Added to that is the fact that pushing harder on the bike will buy you an extra 15-20 min at most, but walk 2-3 miles of the marathon and that time is gone. Run the whole marathon and you'll get back more time advantage than you could ever get on the bike. It's incredible, the time difference between walking and running.
Last year I came into T2 in second place after riding steadily within myself. Then I started the run nice and slow, the first 10km felt guilty, they were so easy! I ended up winning the race by overtaking 1st and 2nd place in the last 30 min -- both of whom at that point were running so slowly that they couldn't even think to jump on as I ran past at the same pace I'd been doing since mile 6. They were mentally as well as physically broken from going out way too hard early on the run.
And it's worth checking out the Endurance Nation's page of race pacing tips. It's a gold mine of great stuff in there. Don't forget that a good race day isn't defined by fitness but by execution (another one of their adages). You've done the training and you have the fitness, you can only blow it now by not executing well. So that should be your number one focus headed into the race. Execute well and that Kona slot is yours.
M, great advice, your timing is perfect. I was thinking the exact same thing on the run today, that time on the run is more important that time on the bike. You confirmed it. I needed that. Thanks again.
Post a Comment