well,I've decided to officially start my training for the Ironman. Officially I will be competing in a Full Rev 3 event at Cedar Point next September (2013). I know there I'd some debate if I can call myself an Ironman after hopefully it and I don't really care. If the distance is the same then I'm okay with calling myself an ironman..
I have a long road ahead of me though.. And for some reason, I haven't really started training yet, which scares me a bit. But I can't find the motivation yet. I'm not sure if it is just the fact that it is next year or what my issue is. When I trained for the half ironman 2 years ago, I started running mid December and had the half ironman the following August. But I was worse off with my running back then. I actually thought I had horrible shin splints for the last 10 years, so I went to the doctor who suggested physical therapy. And after spending many hours and many dollars on physical therapy (and shoe inserts), I realized that it wasn't helping. I almost gave up that dream. But some of my runner friends suggested that go to an actual running shoe store to have my shoes properly fit. So as a last resort, I tried that. I went to New Balance and they suggested some specific shoes and they fit! So the race was back on! And really, that was my first year really biking long distances. 20 miles seemed like a lot back then! And I was horrible at swimming. Again, endurance swimming was very new to me and it had been forever since I actually went swimming. That first year, I hired a swimming coach just to help me get the basics. Before the coach, I was just going too quickly. I wasn't gliding... I was going too hard and my heart was racing while just doing 1 lap.
So from that first half ironman, I really started off badly at all three elements. So maybe that is why I'm not going crazy yet. I have never biked 100 miles, but I did manage 60 a couple of months ago, without much training. I don't think I could've run a full marathon after that, but I could probably have struggled through 5 miles.. well.. at least 3. So I'm already in better shape starting off. I swam a 1/3rd a couple of months ago as well. But I know that there is a huge difference between the 1/2 ironman and a full one (well I'm assuming). It took me 7.5 hours to complete the half and I'd assume that I'm looking at 16 or 16.5 hours for the full ironman. (cutoff is 17!)
I have been running once in the last 2 months before I started back up yesterday. So my 2 mile run was quite painful. I had to stop for just a bit as well. So I went again today and did another 2 miles. It is amazing how tired my legs were after only the short 2 mile run. I was planning on running another 2 or 2.5 miles today but work was crazy. So I need to run at least 2.5 miles tomorrow (Friday) since I have a 5k planned for Sunday. It's the Hot Chocolate 5k in Columbus. Now that's the motivation that i need! Ha..
One of my problems is that I have too many hobbies and interests. I'm still trying to do a lot of photography, to get better at it. I'd like to enter some competitions this coming year, just to get critiqued. And I'd also like to take some glass classes, but I might have to put this off some more. I can only do so much!
Well, I'll try to keep this more updated with Ironman training. It should be an interesting year!
Showing posts with label ironman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ironman. Show all posts
Friday, November 16, 2012
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Joined a gym!
I broke down and joined a gym. Since I have a full ironman on my mind I figured I best get busy with the training. I was really looking for a swimming pool that nobody used, and Urban Active was apparently just that place. It is 10 minutes away so it is convenient (so I shouldn't be able to convince myself not to go.. haha). It is cheaper than the YMCA and Lifetime Fitness and closer, so I took the plunge.
After signing up they set up a fitness evaluation (so they can sell you their personal trainer service). I believe that most do it this way; I know Lifetime does as well. I've usually been good at saying NO to the Personal Trainers but this time, i was unable to. Argh. They had the speech down. Almost as good as the timeshare speeches that I've heard a couple of times. I did talk them into dropping the price from $180 to $90, so I should feel happy right? Well.. I'm still undecided. My plan to be debt-free by next July is taking some hits! I need to switch to Ramon noodles! But the personal trainer probably wouldn't like that.. Hmm... well, we will see. I might stick it out a month and see. It would be good to get set up with the nutrition information and basic workouts and then go from there.
Last year, in training for my half ironman, it took 8 months to lose 20 lbs. Then I put most of it back on in the 2 months of offseason. argh! So hopefully this time, I can lose the 20 at a faster pace. I'm kinda looking forward to having a trainer really. It will keep me coming back in, and give me some more motivation.
I know there were some that doubted that I could complete the half ironman last year. I'm assuming that those people will not have those same doubts about me completing the full ironman but.. you never know. Hopefully this will put me in a better position to actually do fairly well in the ironman though. Not just finish (which would be awesome in itself), but to have a decent time. We will see.. But I have started the process officially now!
UPDATED! I read the contract and realized that I could get out of the contract if I canceled in 3 days, so.. I canceled! They put up a good fight and offered cheaper packages. But then he was getting desperate and basically said that I was in really bad shape and there was no way I could complete the ironman without their help! That pretty much angered me enough that I was really set on canceling after that! I mean, I did train for a 1/2 ironman and lost 20 lbs! I am going to use my knowledge on that previous training and add to it. I have NO DOUBT that I will finish the full ironman, and I will not finish last in my age group! I feel good about the decision. I mean, it would've been nice, but I am really serious about being debt free next year and have that as my main priority. I do need to stop buying toys (like camera's and such!) but... I'm on pace to be debt free next year and will work hard to make sure that happens! So the PT I consider "extra". Maybe next year, when I am debt free, I can look at the training as a possibility. But right now, I'm still excited to have a pool close by, and will certainly look to do the biking and running during the winter to give me a jump on the training.
After signing up they set up a fitness evaluation (so they can sell you their personal trainer service). I believe that most do it this way; I know Lifetime does as well. I've usually been good at saying NO to the Personal Trainers but this time, i was unable to. Argh. They had the speech down. Almost as good as the timeshare speeches that I've heard a couple of times. I did talk them into dropping the price from $180 to $90, so I should feel happy right? Well.. I'm still undecided. My plan to be debt-free by next July is taking some hits! I need to switch to Ramon noodles! But the personal trainer probably wouldn't like that.. Hmm... well, we will see. I might stick it out a month and see. It would be good to get set up with the nutrition information and basic workouts and then go from there.
Last year, in training for my half ironman, it took 8 months to lose 20 lbs. Then I put most of it back on in the 2 months of offseason. argh! So hopefully this time, I can lose the 20 at a faster pace. I'm kinda looking forward to having a trainer really. It will keep me coming back in, and give me some more motivation.
I know there were some that doubted that I could complete the half ironman last year. I'm assuming that those people will not have those same doubts about me completing the full ironman but.. you never know. Hopefully this will put me in a better position to actually do fairly well in the ironman though. Not just finish (which would be awesome in itself), but to have a decent time. We will see.. But I have started the process officially now!
UPDATED! I read the contract and realized that I could get out of the contract if I canceled in 3 days, so.. I canceled! They put up a good fight and offered cheaper packages. But then he was getting desperate and basically said that I was in really bad shape and there was no way I could complete the ironman without their help! That pretty much angered me enough that I was really set on canceling after that! I mean, I did train for a 1/2 ironman and lost 20 lbs! I am going to use my knowledge on that previous training and add to it. I have NO DOUBT that I will finish the full ironman, and I will not finish last in my age group! I feel good about the decision. I mean, it would've been nice, but I am really serious about being debt free next year and have that as my main priority. I do need to stop buying toys (like camera's and such!) but... I'm on pace to be debt free next year and will work hard to make sure that happens! So the PT I consider "extra". Maybe next year, when I am debt free, I can look at the training as a possibility. But right now, I'm still excited to have a pool close by, and will certainly look to do the biking and running during the winter to give me a jump on the training.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Timberman Thoughts... (my first half ironman)
Yeah, I completed it! It was about as painful as I figured it would be. :)
We woke up at 4am on race day and got in line for the parking at about 4:40. The staff told us that the parking lots would fill up around 5am, so we wanted to get a spot so we didn't have to be dependent on a shuttle bus. I was really excited at 4am honestly. But by 5:30, I wanted to go back to sleep. We stayed in the warm truck for awhile though and waited for it to warm up. There wasn't too much to do as our bikes were already in the transition area the night before. But when it got closer to the start we went to the transition area and put air in the tires, and organized the transition area like we wanted. Man, there were soooo many bikes squeezed into such a small area. It was pretty crazy..
In prep, I had only swam 1 mile twice, and the timing of those swims was about an hour. So I finished the 1.2 mile swim in 1:09 which is not too bad. True, I was dead last in my age group in the swim, but it just gives me something to shoot for next time. I am happy that I didn't finish last overall. I spotted the field 9 minutes once the swim was complete, and did better on the bike and run than a few so I am happy. It was fun.. I actually passed a bunch of people on the bike (and got passed by a bunch).. But.. It was a good experience. It was definitely the most climbing that I've done. Some of those hills were amazing.. Take a look at it: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/45882336
We started the race in waves based on age. There were 2 groups in my age group (35 - 39 as there were so many of us). The cutoff for the swim was an hour and 30 minutes after the last wave started (and there were about 4 waves after I started I think), so I wasn't too worried about missing the cutoff, but I was a little. In a normal start though (non-wave start), the cutoff would be 1:10, so I would've beaten it by 1 minute! Whew!
The running was horrible. Right away, it started uphill and that really killed me. I think if it was a flatter course initially, I would've done better. But it was definitely a hard course (for me). The description was "rolling hills" and I didn't really know what to expect, but there were definitely some long climbs on the run. Also, it was 2 loops.. And that SUCKED because once I completed my first 6.6 miles many people were finishing up their race, and I had to keep on going for another lap. But I kept thinking "free beer, free beer".. We received one free beer after the race, so it was great motivation (although 2/3 of the way through the run I thought I could really stop and buy myself beer without any problem). I'm fairly sure I ran more than I walked.. :)
I honestly could've done a little better on the run, but during the last third of the run I joined up with 2 other people who were awesome and we did a group run/walk thing. A couple of times I thought about leaving them, but we were really having too much fun as a group. And I wasn't really going to win or anything.. :)
Right after the race, I really thought I had done my last half ironman, but now.. I don't know.. I could probably do another.. or contemplate trying the full.. We'll see. I really do love biking, and hate to tell my friends I can't bike with them because I need to run. So.. I'm not sure yet what my future plans will be concerning endurance races. I know I will do a couple of small triathlons next year (I own a wetsuit now; I HAVE to use it, right?? :) )
We were really concerned about the weather. My friend kept checking the weather like every half hour and we thought it would definitely rain pretty hard on us. But we lucked out really. It rained somewhat lightly when I was on miles 20 - 23 on the bike. It was an out and back course, and when I came back to that same area the roads were wet, which made some of the turns slower than they normally would've been. But that really was it. On the run, it was a slight drizzle most of my run, but that really helped me overall. If it would've been very hot, I would definitely have suffered a lot more.
The race was organized very well. SO many great volunteers. There were actually 16 water/food stations for the 13.1 mile run. And there were enough for the biking portion as well. It is amazing how much it helps to have complete strangers ringing the cowbells and telling you that you are doing a great job! Really, everytime I heard that I kicked it up a notch and kept on going on... SO thank you to everyone, even though they aren't ever going to read this. :) But remember that in the future.. all of the audience's cheers do help (at least to me).
Thanks again for all of the support!
The End
:)
We woke up at 4am on race day and got in line for the parking at about 4:40. The staff told us that the parking lots would fill up around 5am, so we wanted to get a spot so we didn't have to be dependent on a shuttle bus. I was really excited at 4am honestly. But by 5:30, I wanted to go back to sleep. We stayed in the warm truck for awhile though and waited for it to warm up. There wasn't too much to do as our bikes were already in the transition area the night before. But when it got closer to the start we went to the transition area and put air in the tires, and organized the transition area like we wanted. Man, there were soooo many bikes squeezed into such a small area. It was pretty crazy..
In prep, I had only swam 1 mile twice, and the timing of those swims was about an hour. So I finished the 1.2 mile swim in 1:09 which is not too bad. True, I was dead last in my age group in the swim, but it just gives me something to shoot for next time. I am happy that I didn't finish last overall. I spotted the field 9 minutes once the swim was complete, and did better on the bike and run than a few so I am happy. It was fun.. I actually passed a bunch of people on the bike (and got passed by a bunch).. But.. It was a good experience. It was definitely the most climbing that I've done. Some of those hills were amazing.. Take a look at it: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/45882336
We started the race in waves based on age. There were 2 groups in my age group (35 - 39 as there were so many of us). The cutoff for the swim was an hour and 30 minutes after the last wave started (and there were about 4 waves after I started I think), so I wasn't too worried about missing the cutoff, but I was a little. In a normal start though (non-wave start), the cutoff would be 1:10, so I would've beaten it by 1 minute! Whew!
The running was horrible. Right away, it started uphill and that really killed me. I think if it was a flatter course initially, I would've done better. But it was definitely a hard course (for me). The description was "rolling hills" and I didn't really know what to expect, but there were definitely some long climbs on the run. Also, it was 2 loops.. And that SUCKED because once I completed my first 6.6 miles many people were finishing up their race, and I had to keep on going for another lap. But I kept thinking "free beer, free beer".. We received one free beer after the race, so it was great motivation (although 2/3 of the way through the run I thought I could really stop and buy myself beer without any problem). I'm fairly sure I ran more than I walked.. :)
I honestly could've done a little better on the run, but during the last third of the run I joined up with 2 other people who were awesome and we did a group run/walk thing. A couple of times I thought about leaving them, but we were really having too much fun as a group. And I wasn't really going to win or anything.. :)
Right after the race, I really thought I had done my last half ironman, but now.. I don't know.. I could probably do another.. or contemplate trying the full.. We'll see. I really do love biking, and hate to tell my friends I can't bike with them because I need to run. So.. I'm not sure yet what my future plans will be concerning endurance races. I know I will do a couple of small triathlons next year (I own a wetsuit now; I HAVE to use it, right?? :) )
We were really concerned about the weather. My friend kept checking the weather like every half hour and we thought it would definitely rain pretty hard on us. But we lucked out really. It rained somewhat lightly when I was on miles 20 - 23 on the bike. It was an out and back course, and when I came back to that same area the roads were wet, which made some of the turns slower than they normally would've been. But that really was it. On the run, it was a slight drizzle most of my run, but that really helped me overall. If it would've been very hot, I would definitely have suffered a lot more.
The race was organized very well. SO many great volunteers. There were actually 16 water/food stations for the 13.1 mile run. And there were enough for the biking portion as well. It is amazing how much it helps to have complete strangers ringing the cowbells and telling you that you are doing a great job! Really, everytime I heard that I kicked it up a notch and kept on going on... SO thank you to everyone, even though they aren't ever going to read this. :) But remember that in the future.. all of the audience's cheers do help (at least to me).
Thanks again for all of the support!
The End
:)
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