Days to Ironman -> 303 Days
Training is still going well. I've been working out less than I should be. I never miss my swim workouts, but have been skipping on running/biking for about 2 weeks. I got sick the last couple days, and my birthday interfered with some training days. I need to get off my ass and get going again, so back to swimming tonight and biking tomorrow.
I am still seeing major improvements and that's a big plus.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
A week of workouts...
Days to Ironman -> 322
After a weekend off of training, and a day of flying on Monday, I was left starting my workouts with our Tuesday swim. We swam a 2.3k in the long course at the Woodlands Athletic Club with our swim team. I swam good and hard the whole time and made some good improvements. Wednesday I spent on the bike and completed a 17.5 mile ride. I averaged about 4mph faster this ride and finished in 1:12:45. Thursday was another day of swimming, but I was SORE from the previous 2 days. I could barely swim 200m without dying in the pool. Nonetheless, I slowed down and made sure to finish 2k before I got out. The workout took me over my normal hour because I stopped several times to stretch. However, I feel good that I finished the workout. Friday I took off to recover. Today is Saturday and I should run or bike. We'll see what happens...
So I decided not to be lazy and did a 17.5mi ride in the 103deg temps....boy it was smokin' hot. However, I did it in 1:12:30 and that was good for me...tomorrow, is a swimming day at the WAC...
After a weekend off of training, and a day of flying on Monday, I was left starting my workouts with our Tuesday swim. We swam a 2.3k in the long course at the Woodlands Athletic Club with our swim team. I swam good and hard the whole time and made some good improvements. Wednesday I spent on the bike and completed a 17.5 mile ride. I averaged about 4mph faster this ride and finished in 1:12:45. Thursday was another day of swimming, but I was SORE from the previous 2 days. I could barely swim 200m without dying in the pool. Nonetheless, I slowed down and made sure to finish 2k before I got out. The workout took me over my normal hour because I stopped several times to stretch. However, I feel good that I finished the workout. Friday I took off to recover. Today is Saturday and I should run or bike. We'll see what happens...
So I decided not to be lazy and did a 17.5mi ride in the 103deg temps....boy it was smokin' hot. However, I did it in 1:12:30 and that was good for me...tomorrow, is a swimming day at the WAC...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Ouch...
Days to Ironman -> 332
Did a short 45 minute ride today to see how I felt. Hurricane Dolly provided some nice thunderstorms to ride through and get a feel for wet weather conditions on a bike (it was slippery). Caught a flat on mile 5 and had to come back in. I was glad I went out thought. Weighed in and didn't change weight (289 lbs) but I see alot of new muscle and look more toned. Hopefully we'll see some big changes soon.
Did a short 45 minute ride today to see how I felt. Hurricane Dolly provided some nice thunderstorms to ride through and get a feel for wet weather conditions on a bike (it was slippery). Caught a flat on mile 5 and had to come back in. I was glad I went out thought. Weighed in and didn't change weight (289 lbs) but I see alot of new muscle and look more toned. Hopefully we'll see some big changes soon.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Swim Workout - Long Course
Days to Ironman -> 333
I thought that getting into the pool today would be good after the 105 degree ride that I had yesterday for my first 20 miles ever on my new Felt. My legs were dead this morning and let's just say that certain parts of my anatomy were not happy about the bike seat. The pool was set up for the long course, just like Sunday, and we did about 2k. I found out over the last 2 workouts how different 2k in a short course is from the long course. I'm am so tired. Had a Endurox replenishing drink and my AnimalPak of vitamins and am hoping to recover typing this blog. Tomorrow is another bike ride (leaving the jogs for my Reserve weekend in CA)...
I thought that getting into the pool today would be good after the 105 degree ride that I had yesterday for my first 20 miles ever on my new Felt. My legs were dead this morning and let's just say that certain parts of my anatomy were not happy about the bike seat. The pool was set up for the long course, just like Sunday, and we did about 2k. I found out over the last 2 workouts how different 2k in a short course is from the long course. I'm am so tired. Had a Endurox replenishing drink and my AnimalPak of vitamins and am hoping to recover typing this blog. Tomorrow is another bike ride (leaving the jogs for my Reserve weekend in CA)...
Monday, July 21, 2008
From Fat to Ironman Is Not Easy...
Days to Ironman -> 334
I am starting my journey to Ironman as a 6 foot tall 292.5 lb male. Well, it's been about 30 days since I signed up for Ironman Couer D'Alene (CDA) 2009, which can be found at www.ironmancda.com. Amazingly, after 20 days of training, I find myself more excited to continue training. However, the pain has increased as my ability and devotion to training increased, so rest will be necessary. I plan to keep a blog of my most of my workouts, so I have a good journal as I progress. However, we'll snapshot to now and the previous 3 weeks or so.
Swimming has been hard, but is my favorite event so far. I progressed from having trouble swimming 1000 meters to swimming over 2500 meters in an hour. I think the fast progress goes to show that my years of swimming as a kids was beneficial somehow. So far, we have done 3 - 1 hour swim workouts with the Woodlands Masters Swim Team. The coaches there have really pushed us to be better and that helps. Plus, 4 other swimmers there are going to CDA with me next June.
Biking is fun, but difficult. I bought a 2005 Felt S32 triathlon bike. I did my first long ride today after a few test rides and tuning. I spent about 1.5 hours riding just under 25miles (21% of the Ironman distance). The word to describe the pain is ouch. Apparently, running and biking do not use the same muscles. I think it will be important to go have my bike fit to me so that it's less of a strain over the long run. That will have to wait though because I spent over $1200 buying my bike, accessories, and other gear for the tri. I want to start riding 3 times per week for at least 1-1.5 hours. Have to get comfortable for the 7-8 ride at CDA.
Running...I hate running, but it is necessary. Christine (my wife) and I have been doing a 5.1 mile workout. I'm only able to run about half the distance, but it feels good to go out and get the exercise. I'm trying to run 2-3 times per week, though my goal at Ironman is to walk the whole marathon, running only downhill sections and maybe a mile or two. We'll see how this pans out over the course of my training.
For anyone else training, I am recommending lots of stretching, a good replenishing drink (I'm using Endurox R4 and it rocks), and staying consistent.
My goal at Ironman is a full 17 hours to complete a 2.4 mile swim, 116 mile bike, and 26.2 mile "run" and be a finisher. I feel that the race is only icing on the cake of a year of training. I have a half Ironman in New Orleans in April 2009 and some other tris that I'm considering in November in Texas to help gauge my shortcomings. I plan to lose about 50-60 lbs over the course of this year and I'm already seeing some gains. No weight loss, but lots of new muscle.
Wish me luck and come back for more updates. Tomorrow is a swim workout...
I am starting my journey to Ironman as a 6 foot tall 292.5 lb male. Well, it's been about 30 days since I signed up for Ironman Couer D'Alene (CDA) 2009, which can be found at www.ironmancda.com. Amazingly, after 20 days of training, I find myself more excited to continue training. However, the pain has increased as my ability and devotion to training increased, so rest will be necessary. I plan to keep a blog of my most of my workouts, so I have a good journal as I progress. However, we'll snapshot to now and the previous 3 weeks or so.
Swimming has been hard, but is my favorite event so far. I progressed from having trouble swimming 1000 meters to swimming over 2500 meters in an hour. I think the fast progress goes to show that my years of swimming as a kids was beneficial somehow. So far, we have done 3 - 1 hour swim workouts with the Woodlands Masters Swim Team. The coaches there have really pushed us to be better and that helps. Plus, 4 other swimmers there are going to CDA with me next June.
Biking is fun, but difficult. I bought a 2005 Felt S32 triathlon bike. I did my first long ride today after a few test rides and tuning. I spent about 1.5 hours riding just under 25miles (21% of the Ironman distance). The word to describe the pain is ouch. Apparently, running and biking do not use the same muscles. I think it will be important to go have my bike fit to me so that it's less of a strain over the long run. That will have to wait though because I spent over $1200 buying my bike, accessories, and other gear for the tri. I want to start riding 3 times per week for at least 1-1.5 hours. Have to get comfortable for the 7-8 ride at CDA.
Running...I hate running, but it is necessary. Christine (my wife) and I have been doing a 5.1 mile workout. I'm only able to run about half the distance, but it feels good to go out and get the exercise. I'm trying to run 2-3 times per week, though my goal at Ironman is to walk the whole marathon, running only downhill sections and maybe a mile or two. We'll see how this pans out over the course of my training.
For anyone else training, I am recommending lots of stretching, a good replenishing drink (I'm using Endurox R4 and it rocks), and staying consistent.
My goal at Ironman is a full 17 hours to complete a 2.4 mile swim, 116 mile bike, and 26.2 mile "run" and be a finisher. I feel that the race is only icing on the cake of a year of training. I have a half Ironman in New Orleans in April 2009 and some other tris that I'm considering in November in Texas to help gauge my shortcomings. I plan to lose about 50-60 lbs over the course of this year and I'm already seeing some gains. No weight loss, but lots of new muscle.
Wish me luck and come back for more updates. Tomorrow is a swim workout...
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