Ironman Louisville : Official Thread (Page 16)

Just sent my interview to [email protected].  Hope thats the right email.

I wrote this a week after doing Louisville this year.

Ironman Louisville was my first Ironman and fourth event I have ever competed as a triathlete. Along the way during training I read a lot about races, preparation, nutrition, training, and learned how my body reacted to the stress of training, nutrition, and dealing with normal day to day stuff that most age groupers have to deal with, specially if you have a family and a full time job. 

By no means I am an expert but here is what I mostly sought out there during the training and preparing for my first Ironman race: 

1. Follow the Plan! - what ever training plan you will be following, do it!- try to stick to it as much as you can. I was changing mine constantly due to scheduling but I tried my best to keep up with it. 

2. Practice your nutrition - Get your body used to what you will be eating and drinking during race day. You don't want any surprises during race day and for sure have any GI issues that may lead to a DNF. I know someone that tried something new during race day, and his body shut down after 80 miles on the bike- you don't want to throw it away. Everybody is different as far as nutrition goes, you need to find out what works for you. 

3. BEGIN NOW!!!!! If you have more than one weakness (swim,bike,run) - start now! join a masters swimming program, get a swimming coach, attend swimming clinics- get help! - I learned a lot by watching you-tube videos. I also sent some swimming clips to a swim coach and he answered via the web.The same goes for biking and running. You want to add some muscle to your frame in the off season because once training begins and if you don't incorporate weight training, you will lose muscle mass. Off season weight training is great for adding strenght to your upper and lower body. If you are afraid of the bike course- find hills and then do some more. The best way to discribe the course is go out and do a century ride and when you get done with it, go do another 50 miles in the bike- that is what it felt like when I got off, at least for me.

4. Race List Prep- In this site you will find a few race day checklists - choose one or combine a couple of them but what I found and made it easy for me was that I went through each checklist for the swim, T1, bike, t2,run, and bike/ run special needs bag and put them in a grocery bag- labeled them. Now, I checked them twice at home before leaving so when it was time for me to fill the actual bags, all I did was take the correct bag and match them with the bag they give you at registration. It made it easy, I put it in the bag and I did not have to worry about it. 

5. Get your Bike properly fit! You want to have a properly fitted bike to your body/specs- and your day will be much easier.  

6. Don't Eat the Paste - A must read article for any beginner and experienced ones too! (some of the guys I chatted during the race - some had 4 or 5 Ironman races under their belt). This guy told me he had the best bike split in his age group- he told me his time which was 1h30m hrs better than mine but yet I passed him before I hit the half way mark on the run. When he told me that, I immediately thought of the article - actually I had it in my mind all day. 

7. Enjoy the Moment - Even though is a long day as far as time goes, time does fly- so enjoy every moment you have- smile- smile, say thank you to all the wonderful volunteers, stop and give your support crew a hug and a kiss, high five your friends. Enjoy the moment because the next day will only be a memory. 

8. The Line Somewhere along the race you will hit a point where you don't want to do this anymore, thoughts of quitting, giving up, or you are hurting bad enough that those thoughts will cross your mind. You need to be mentally prepared and be ready and know that there will be moments that you will be in pain, muscles might be cramping, feeling nausceaus, you will be talking to yourself, dig deep and keep pushing through, etc. Remember- do not quit during your training- you are builiding upon it; keep pluging along and great things will come on the long run. 

9. Motivation- You will do this! along the way you will need some motivation - you tube videos are great- also- if you can train with a group- even better because training can be lonely and boring at times. Also, staying plugged in with an online support group and other tirathles helps you stay motivated (i.e - , this one hereat beginnertri.com, iamtri.com, etc.) 

10. You have to own it how bad do you really want it? you have to own it and want it and the desire, fire , and motivation will be there.

 For what is worth and my $.02,

Thomas

I just had a chance to thoughtfully read the posts by Thomas and Jeremy.
Thomas- Thank you for sharing your experience with bi-lateral breathing and how you recruit it. Perfect.
Jeremy- Great advice!

Did a 2min/5min walk/run today and it went better than the first one of this combination. I had some extremely mild Achilles tenderness toward the end, but so mild it could have been in my head. (Is there an Achilles attached to my head?...I suppose not). This still gives me the green light to increase my running minutes to 6min. next time. 

Oh, I also just got done with my weight session.

Merry Christmas!
~Sam

I have to say, I have been completely enjoying putting together these interviews. My goal is to put one up once a week, unless I get a ton more, then I won't space them out so far.

On another note, I've determined that those of you who have turned in your interviews are crazy people...and I love it.

Your average years of experience is 2.6 years and you are already doing Ironman or have already done one...or more!

The total combined years of experience you have is still two years less than me and I did my first Ironman in 2007 after doing triathlons of all types (save IM) for years before seriously considering taking on the event. My hat is off to your "Do the Dew" mentality.

Anyway, you all have very interesting stories to tell, and I'm looking forward to sharing them on my blog. When they are up, feel free to invite your family and friends to see the evidence (as if they didn't already know) of your craziness in "print".

Peace,
~Sam