Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 26)

Just my $.02 below -

For distances above a Half-Marathon, I am a fan of the 'Gallaway' method - Run/Walk combination.  You can adopt any ratio you want (from 1:1 minute, to 12mins:30secs, etc.).  No matter which way you go, it is a proven way to significantly push out your fatigue limit.  Besides, face it, everyone is going to be walking some during the Marathon portion of IMFL - at least a bit of the aid statons...and maybe more, depending on how the day is going for folks.

If this is of any interest to you, what I might suggest is on one of your long training runs, test out a Run:Walk ratio and compare to run-only.  See 1) how the time changes, if at all, and 2) if you feel any better.  I often find that I feel better, longer and ultimately (oddly enough) put up a better time with some walk breaks than were I to run the whole time - and that's just for a standalone marathon.  This will be my first Full IM, so in this case I will consider it to be an even more important decision. 

Just as one data point, I recently did two 2+ hour runs on the same course under similar conditions.  One was a 12min:1min combination, the next was a 6min:1min combination.  My time difference was only 5secs/mile (the latter being slower) - but I did feel a bit better on the latter interval...and on race day would still have had miles to go....

Be safe and healthy, everyone!  Now's when the aches and pains start creeping up.  Be careful, in training and just around the house!

Cheers,
Mark  

I just bought the Xterra Vel .02 speedsuit.  I live in Hawaii where I will never use a wetsuit to compete so I bought a speedsuit hoping it will give me a little warmth and many of the same benefits of a wetsuit irt speed.  The website shows it will be 68-72 so it's cold compared to Hawaii, but not that cold.   I am a strong open water swimmer.   Thoughts?

Alright, Half-Iron practice race DONE.  I had a great PR race (with only a tiny taper) in very rainy conditions, and on a more hilly course (for the bike, not run) than IMFL has.  The best part--not once while I was out there did the thought cross my mind of "you must be insane for wanting to do an Ironman."  I am still not looking forward to a 2.4 mile swim, but I am so glad that yesterday, while there was race pain, there wasn't pain that said "you're nuts, and you've got an IM in less than 7 weeks??"  Also, it rained on us nearly the entire time (for the 70.3 race)--so, I've now done a race in adverse conditions and done well too. BRING IT ON IMFL (though adverse conditions are absolutely not necessary, okay God? Thanks.)

So, I'm a happy camper.  Anne (Irondreams) should be too!! She rocked the full Aquabike and I saw her dutifully out running AFTER she finished the Aquabike. Glad to have met you finally Anne!! Well done yesterday!!

Can't wait to see everyone in a few weeks.
PUT IN YOUR T-SHIRT REQUESTS!! I need to get the numbers to Jay in the next couple of days so we can get a price quote! Go to the IMFL T-Shirt Thread in the other Iron Distance Forum (not the race groups forum). 

Glad to hear that you are okay! What a day.

I'm still trying to get rid of the crud. I've had it for over a week now. Just started back running today. It was very slow. I took a 2.5 hour nap afterwards. Which isn't a great sign after only running/walking 6.5 miles.  During my run/walk, I tried to tell myself it could be worse. I could have a stress fracture or an injury that would keep me from going to IMFL.