IMSG and racing in tough conditions Q and (Page 2)

I had the same 'advantage' in the lake Saturday Bryan...  growing up in the ocean.

My thought when I was out there taking face shot after face shot of water, 'at least the water tastes good'.  

It helped to think more about the ridiculousness of the situation and try and laugh at it rather than dwell on the negative.

Bryan,

Thanks for doing this. I always enjoy reading through Jordan's post race threads and this has been great also.

Could you give a rundown of your "peak" week for training for this race? I know everybody is different but I always enjoy seeing what kind of volume/intensity the top people do.

Thanks,     Kent

Thanks for posting this Bryan!  With IMKS 70.3 coming up, good info on how to handle wind and chop is invaluable.  I haen't trained by HR (or power for that matter) but I'll use my RPE "sensor" as best I can.  Energy management isn't as critical in a 70.3 but my 70.3 is like your 140.6 comparatively speaking.

Looking forward to the RR.

Bryan,

I know you made it clear going into the race that you were going for the AG win.  Most of us mere mortals are better off "running your own race", but it seems like you did just that and had great success. 

Did you know that 1st place was that far ahead coming off the bike, and did you change your race strategy at all in hopes of catching him?  Or did you simply run your own race and hope he would simply come back to you on the run.  Also, the eventual 2nd place finisher had an unbelievable run and came within a minute of you, but you held him off.  Did you have any idea how much ground he was making?

Thanks and congrats again.

Hi Bryan,

Congrats again on your well-earned accomplishment. Not particularly related to IMSG, but your mom is an Ironman AG champion and I'm wondering what advice she has given you or what influence she has had on your Ironman racing. Obviously, I can imagine that it was a positive influence, but I'm wondering what was going on in your head while you watched her compete and how that has impacted your approach to triathlons.

Bryan,

Congrats, and cool idea to do this!

I'm wondering how your race at St. George compares to your other IM's in terms of physical and mental exertion. You were out on the course for quite a bit longer than planned due to the high winds, and that can come into play when you've trained for a certain course (and a ballpark time). It sounds like you realized early on that you would have to slow down a bit on the bike and run, so, even though your splits were slower, how did your overall effort compare to your previous races?

I'm just stepping in to say congratulations on a great race in terrible conditions, Bryan!  Plus, thanks for starting this thread.  I think it's a great idea, and maybe it can be a new tradition here any time someone has a race they feel could be interesting and educational for the masses to discuss in more detail.

Congratulations!

And, thanks for opening up your playbook.  I am sure many, especially me, will find this information essential to their own plan and strategy.  It is truly generous of your time considering today you must really be tired!

Andrew

I am delighted, fascinated and intrigued by this thread. Into the mind of a champion...many thanks for allowing us a peek under the hood--the engine is strong but the computer behind it equally intimidating. I doubt many can make the adjustments needed on race day to change their mental fortitude or pacing strategy...let alone adjust nutrition regarding for the extra time needed.

Wow.

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There are several key points which I have taken home:

-accept the conditions of race day and make the best of it without wasting mental energy-instead figure out how to adapt/adjust and succeed

-adjust pacing as needed-know when to push/hold or recover 

-prepare for the expected and make 'on the fly' adjustments as needed

-race the way you train, if by HR, and stay within your zone (know where you want to be on race day before race day)

-use association until it fails, then dis-associate when needed

-get genetically advantaged parents (but know that genetics only sets the upper limit, the rest is up to the athlete in regards to training--and yours has been stellar)--                                            ((oh, well, I may not do too well with this one))

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thank you Bryan and congratulations!

Dale 

You forgot one: have The Force on your side.

Hey Bryan, just saw this thread.

Since I haven't seen your RR yet (ahem), I thought I'd use this to congratulate you.  It's a real feather-in-your-cap to pull off the AG win on a tough course under those conditions.  And top-20 OA at age 44!

Your mental toughness/focus is clear in both the race itself and the preparation outlined in your logs.

Big Congrats.