As I love reading fellow triathletes blogs, I decided to take a stab at one of my own. My intent here is to track some training and races, connect with some other triathletes, and honestly vent about the challenges along this path to Ironman. When I signed up for this race almost 1 year ago, I had no idea what I was signing up for. Yes, I read there would be a lot of training. Yes, I knew the distances (2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, 26.2mi run). Yes, I knew I'd miss out on a few social events. Yes, I knew it was going to push me further than I'd ever gone and been pushed before. And that was the main reason I signed up - to push past all the limits I thought I had.
But what I didn't realize what how all consuming Ironman can become. It's not a hobby, it becomes your life. What do I think about most days? My training that I completed that morning, what training looks like tomorrow, what I need to consume to keep going all day, how many calories I need to eat on the bike tomorrow morning... did I really push my swim faster than race pace? Did my run really break HR 3 mid-high? Did I keep my cadence as high as I could have during those fast spins during my morning brick? Did I transition fast enough off the bike? Am I going to remember to put on glide in T2? How many PB&J sandwiches can I fit in my bike jersey?.... it goes on and on. I don't mind it, I just never thought it would take over like it has. Running, my favorite of the sports, has always been such a gift, something so freeing and spontaneous for me in the past, but Ironman training has taken on such a strict training schedule, such an all consuming mindset, I feel as though it's really changed me as a person. I think it's made me a better person - a more diligent, planned, scheduled person who actually follows through. I've always been someone that goes with the flow, does what I want when I want. But you just cannot complete training with that mindset. You have at least 90 minutes each weekday to put in, and 3-5 hours each weekend day. You can't just wing it, you have to have a plan and follow through with that plan.
The past 5 months, I have tried to train most days in the morning. I have to get up between 5am and 6am, and usually start training by 6 or 6:30. Does it suck getting up early? Totally. Do I bounce out of bed to train? NO. I battle a little mentally most mornings but know it's always going to produce the best results and help me be able to focus on work the rest of the day instead of worrying about getting my training in. I've found if I don't get my training in in the mornings, I feel like a zombie half of the day. Like my body is in some kind of recovery mode.
We (my husband and I) have been on a strict training schedule since the beginning of February but have been triathlon training consistently since last summer. Our race is July 26th, Ironman Canada!!!! While I'm anxious about the Whistler hills, I'm trying to focus on the bigger picture and realize how fantastic the last 5 months have been and how much I have transformed - physically, mentally, emotionally. It's really been quite the journey. I can't wait to cross that finish line and hear the words "KALEE, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!" Every time I have trouble getting going in my workout, or am struggling on a long ride or run, I play that moment in my mind. I picture how sweet that moment will be, the culmination of all the work I've put it, to finally become an Ironman.
I. can't. wait. All of my feelings.
Isaac said creating this blog was a little late to the game, as we're just days away from starting our official taper. But to be honest, unless Ironman kills me, I've found my sport. I fully intend to do an Ironman each year until I stop enjoying it. I think Isaac and I will start picking destination events. Despite the pain, the crashes, the constant exhaustion, the fear, the doubt, how much I despise super long bike rides...
I love it.
But what I didn't realize what how all consuming Ironman can become. It's not a hobby, it becomes your life. What do I think about most days? My training that I completed that morning, what training looks like tomorrow, what I need to consume to keep going all day, how many calories I need to eat on the bike tomorrow morning... did I really push my swim faster than race pace? Did my run really break HR 3 mid-high? Did I keep my cadence as high as I could have during those fast spins during my morning brick? Did I transition fast enough off the bike? Am I going to remember to put on glide in T2? How many PB&J sandwiches can I fit in my bike jersey?.... it goes on and on. I don't mind it, I just never thought it would take over like it has. Running, my favorite of the sports, has always been such a gift, something so freeing and spontaneous for me in the past, but Ironman training has taken on such a strict training schedule, such an all consuming mindset, I feel as though it's really changed me as a person. I think it's made me a better person - a more diligent, planned, scheduled person who actually follows through. I've always been someone that goes with the flow, does what I want when I want. But you just cannot complete training with that mindset. You have at least 90 minutes each weekday to put in, and 3-5 hours each weekend day. You can't just wing it, you have to have a plan and follow through with that plan.
The past 5 months, I have tried to train most days in the morning. I have to get up between 5am and 6am, and usually start training by 6 or 6:30. Does it suck getting up early? Totally. Do I bounce out of bed to train? NO. I battle a little mentally most mornings but know it's always going to produce the best results and help me be able to focus on work the rest of the day instead of worrying about getting my training in. I've found if I don't get my training in in the mornings, I feel like a zombie half of the day. Like my body is in some kind of recovery mode.
We (my husband and I) have been on a strict training schedule since the beginning of February but have been triathlon training consistently since last summer. Our race is July 26th, Ironman Canada!!!! While I'm anxious about the Whistler hills, I'm trying to focus on the bigger picture and realize how fantastic the last 5 months have been and how much I have transformed - physically, mentally, emotionally. It's really been quite the journey. I can't wait to cross that finish line and hear the words "KALEE, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!" Every time I have trouble getting going in my workout, or am struggling on a long ride or run, I play that moment in my mind. I picture how sweet that moment will be, the culmination of all the work I've put it, to finally become an Ironman.
I. can't. wait. All of my feelings.
Isaac said creating this blog was a little late to the game, as we're just days away from starting our official taper. But to be honest, unless Ironman kills me, I've found my sport. I fully intend to do an Ironman each year until I stop enjoying it. I think Isaac and I will start picking destination events. Despite the pain, the crashes, the constant exhaustion, the fear, the doubt, how much I despise super long bike rides...
I love it.
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