Ironman Lake Placid : Official Thread (Page 116)

I'm quite happy to have the longest training ride/runs out of the way. My body is very tired, not quite 'like death', which I've seen up close and personal all too often, but definitely 'not good'.

I did enjoy the longest shower ever after Sunday's LR. The second half laying on the floor of the shower with the hand held massager aimed at my legs...laying in the sun after that was even a chore.

But I will get stronger every week from here, and so will all of you.

Oh Crap!!!!!!!!!! Hey buddy. I'm sorry to hear about your weekend!!!!!!!!!

Hope you have a fast recovery and heal well!!

I'll still need your support if you would be willing to cheer at all that day. Having someone that has gone through the same training means a hell of lot more than anyone else screaming for ya!!!!   Talk to you soon.

Ant

I envy you.... I still have a 6 hour ride this weekend... my last one...

Cornick -   I can say I know where you are.  I was in your position a year ago, having something happen on the bike - not sure what - and went from 26 mph to zero just about a year ago this weekend.  I missed IMLP 2011 by blowing out my shoulder.  When I tell people the story I remind them I have my brain-pan, my teeth and I recovered.

I can say the day after the race I was mentally prepared to get back for 2012; there was something about getting past race day.  Hang in and think long term, you'll recover.

Glad to hear you will go.  I didn't and regret it, the energy would have done wonders to my mental state.

Cornick,

Sorry to hear and see your misfortune. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Kevin

Jeff - that sucks.  Sorry to hear.  I hope you get up to LP on Friday and sign up for next year!!!  Fingers crossed you do not need surgery.

Glad my other light banter provides some ammusment.  Worried that if i did stick my head in a bowl of water i`d drown.  Still got time to get some swims in.  I`ll have 6 hrs to get over the swim before the run anyway.

Cornick, oh man I can't even begin say how sorry I am to hear about your crash and whats happened, that really does suck.  I wish I could "donate" enough bone density for you to heal up faster and race.  It would still be great to meet up with you at the swim friday morning.

Damn Man.  .  Good news is the clavicle normally heals back to 100% normal.  Fabian Cancallera needed three pins to put his clavicle together less than 3 months ago after a nasty crash at the Tour of Flanders and two days ago HE WON the TDF opening Time Trial.  

I know how you feel cause I got debilitating tendonitis in my knee this weekend two years ago and had to watch my first Ironman from the sidelines.  At first, yeah it SUCKED.  But believe it or not, my family and I still had a blast on Race Day and Race Week up at Lake Placid.  It wasn't entirely easy ( I didn't want to watch the swim start ) but we watched the Bike and Run and cheered people on and had a blast.  

For You and anyone else who is missing LP this year:  SIGN UP ON SATURDAY AND YOU WILL RACE NEXT YEAR.  It's now two years past for me and it goes by quick.  And not for nothing, you did ALL the training, in reality that's the hardest part.  No worries.  You will heal.  You will be back.  And You will Be An Ironman.  Your Dream Will Come True.

For you and all other Ironman newbies.  This likely applies more toward the end of this week and next week but I'll post it now

DEFINITIVE SYMPTOMS OF THE TAPER

A.) The answer to 99.99% of all your questions is "YES, that is normal".  When you are Tapering you are effectively TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.  You are turning off the engine so the internal body can work on it an repair it.  The engine has been running hot and heavy for the last weeks and months. 

B.) Yes you will have restless legs.  Yes at some point you may have suoper-heavy legs and running 4 measly miles may be tough.  So YES expect really crummy, shiiitty workouts - it's 100% normal.

C.) Initial taper symptoms of shutting down the engine may include an unprecedented wave of fatigue and lethargy, YES THIS IS NORMAL.  

C.) The deeper into the taper, closer to Race Day, the more you will start to feel unbridled energy coursing through your veins.  THE TOUGHEST thing at that point will be: NOT DOING ANYTHING!  You need to rest, recover, still and just follow the plan.  Despite the fact we've put off a ton of home projects DO NOT try and get them all done now that you have the time and energy.  These projects waited 6 months, they can wait 2 more weeks post-Ironman.  This includes NOT helping a friend move!! I helped my buddy move three days before Quassy and pulled my back.  During the Taper refrain from using power tools, going up ladders, trimming hedges, lifting sofa couches.  This all sounds silly but it's true.  It's going to be difficult but we need to just sit around and wait despite the fact you'll want to crawl out of your skin at times between the extra time, nervous energy of approaching Race Day, and increased energy from less training.  

D.) DON'T BLOW YOUR TAPER.  One of the top reasons pro's give when they have a bad race is "they blew their taper".  How can you blow your taper?  By testing your fitness and doing an 80-miler one week out.  You may have doubts (YES THIS IS NORMAL) DON'T do one last big BRICK or workout to 'test your fitness'.  Trust in your training.  Your coach/plan will likely have a little tempo work .. keep it at a little.  Sure it may feel easy, but again - don't blow your taper.  Save it for the ring - Race Day.

E.) Negative thoughts and DOUBT are common.  Pre-Race Anxiety and Fear are normal.  The opposite of Fear is FAITH.  Have FAITH in your training since December.  You've logged the miles.  Your legs will be there on Race Day, I promise.

F.)  They call it TAPER MADNESS for a reason.  The MADNESS is wanting to do something, wanting to train (cause that's how we've been programmed the last 6 months) but having to sit around and do nothing.  Exhaust yourself mentally.  Read books.  Watch movies.  Go to the movies.  See a play.  Keep your brain active but NOT your body.  

G.) Taper is not just for Training.... IT'S FOR EATING TOO!!!  We're not doing centuries anymore or training 14 hours a week.  If you don't Taper your diet to coincide with your activity, you will put on pounds and pounds of weight right before the event.  TRUST ME - I know.  I try and drink lots of water, eat high protein (helps muscle recovery and limits carb cravings).  If you eat like you're still in Peak Training the scale will likely not be your friend.

H.) AGAIN - I repeat: We've just been training Hot & Heavy for 20 weeks.  To suddenly stop throws the body into shock.  Everyone's body will react differently.  But bottom line: your body will likely revolt in some way.  So YES - whatever you are feeling (crazy dreams, crazy thoughts, crazy doubts, crazy food cravings, crazy aches and pains and twinges)  ALLLLLL NOOOORRRRMMMMALLLL.  

Jeff, I am so sorry to hear about your accident You have such an amazing attitude still wanting to come down...hope to meet you at some point

Speedy healing and take good care

Was just up in Lake Placid over the weekend doing some training and escaping the heat. Mirror Lake was nice and refreshing! Hope it stays this cool for you guys for the race. Kept having flashbacks of the bathtub we swam in last year.

Did the surface conditions of the 86 heading from Wilmington back to Placid get even worse over the winter? I remember the shoulder and road being bad, but now it is getting ridiculous!!!

The downhill into Keene was about what I remember in terms of road conditions.

Good luck with your final weeks of training!

This weekend I bought new tires for my road bike.  I opted to try 25's instead of the (always) 23's that I have ridden on for many years.  The difference in comfort was very noticable.  I really liked them.  They also felt faster but I certainly cannot quantify that statement.  The only detriment is getting the rims on and off the bike for traveling in my car.  They dont squeeze through the brakes easily so I probably need to do some fine adjustments. 

Question; is anyone riding 25's on their tri bike and if so, do they like them?  Im considering.  Are there further detriments that I dont know of?  Thanks.

I got cortisone injections in BOTH heels about 12 days before IMLOU last year.  I had been dealing with (and treating) chronic PF in one foot and heel bursitis in the other for more than a year at that point.  I did NOT choose the injection before IMFL the year before.  

I wasn't big on getting the injection either; however, I'm SO glad that I did.  I had been walking/running in constant pain for a long, long time and didn't even really remember what it felt like to be pain free.  It was nice to go into the race with no pain in my feet!  Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!

Hope it works for you

The Athlete Guides reads explicitly "No 25 inch tires may be used."  Perhaps the retailer will take them back still?

Cornick,

I am SO, so sorry that this happened to you.  It just plain sucks.  I know how disappointed you must be. 

I am also glad that you are OK.  And, yes, please do come up and meet up with us (you are still part of this group!) and get all your stuff (you deserve it!).  

I'm sure we would all LOVE the extra support from someone who truly understands the training.

Hang in there & heal up quickly

Bobby, Im talking about 25mm wide tires versus 23 mm wide.  I didnt see anything in the Athletes Guide. 

Jim - he knows what you are talking about - Bobby is just being funny. Welcome to the world of DC on his taper.... 

You would probably get eaten alive on ST for racing with 25s, especially if you have deep section rims as you will pay an aero penalty. My thinking though is that for Ironman, comfort is faster. I would roll them if you like them, and probably enjoy a better run for it.

I thought I'd share my absolute favorite inspirational video to watch (especially during taper):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9O84Ry6axY

Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

I got shot up before IMFL for tendonitis in my right foot. In a boot for 2.5 or so weeks before the race - no s.b.r at all. Got shot Wed. before the flight and the dr. said good luck, run till you can't anymore. Best thing ever!  No pain   Hope you feel just as good on race day!

That made me crack right up.