Fred D's Ironman/Half-Ironman focused Mentor Group --CLOSED (Page 4)

Like Jason, I just wanted to drop in and thank Fred for mentoring here on BT. Get out your notepads and follow along closely, 'cause you're going to learn something...good luck to all of you on your 2012 seasons!

Q

Can't say that I'm more successful at the HIM distance, but I love the challenge it presents. Honestly, after finishing my first in 2010, I didn't think I would ever do that distance again, and doubted the possibility that I would ever want to do IM either. It only took a few days for me to bounce back and want redemption on the HIM course, and I had a decent effort in 2011.

I also have the goal of wanting to complete an IM. Scares me a lot thinking about the actual race day processes. I have a lot of fears whether or not my body will allow me to reach that accomplishment...probably similar to the doubts I had pre-HIM.

But ultimately, I love the training despite the sacrifices I have to make to reach the necessary training volume. I find that I am overall much happier when I am training consistently at higher volumes. And, oddly enough, the minor aches and pains that go along with it actually remind me that I am doing something.

Obviously I haven't ventured into IM training volumes, and I know that will be a massive scheduling challenge, but I'm extremely fortunate to have a wonderfully supportive family and  job that has some decent flexibility which allows me to do what I need to do. At this point, I will probably (and hopefully) start/finish just 1 IM and be good with it...but who knows once that bug bites...

Story: My background is a little different to most. I entered a 3k fun run in July 2009 to see if I could complete it and was thoroughly unimpressed with my result (19min which I walked at least half of, and it turned out to only be 1.5miles). This motivated me to find a training plan for a 5k run later in the year and found this site. One thing lead to another and Adam (Blinddave) and I ended up entering 3 sprints that year.

Family Status: Will be moving in with my Girlfriend of 5yrs this weekend!

Current Training: Running 6x/week (~25mpw), swimming 1x/week (purely maintenance at the moment and cycling 3x/week (Jorge's Winter cycling plan)

2011 Races: As well as a few other sprint races, I started the year with the same race as in 2010 (which was my first ever race) and improved my time by 6.5 mins. I also had my first Oly and missed out on the 3hr mark by a mere 1min!

2012 Races: Only confirmed races so far are an Oly in May and my first HIM in June. Will probably do the same start of year sprint - it's become a sort of benchmark race for me now.

Weightloss: I've never really be concerned with my weight as it has almost always been around the 140lb mark.

Goals: Apart from 'finish the HIM without needing medical assistance afterwards', I tend to set short term goals and progress as I achieve them.

It think that about sums it up for me as well.  I like the volume of HIM's but I am not sure I'd train at that level if I didn't have a race on the schedule, but I find for my mental state I need the training.  I go back and forth on doing an IM.  I think that would put a strain on the home front. I have an unusual situation where my partner is gone a great deal of the time and when she is home I can't see how going out for a 6 hour bike ride is going to go over well, but I really want to do one just cause there is some pull there to see if I can successful train and complete one.  I can't really explain the pull.

I have always used BT plans.  This year I went with Mark Allen online.  I wanted to try something new.  His plan is really slowing me down, but I am suppose to be at the point now where you are suppose to start seeing gains.  We shall see.  I start speed work this week in the run and race next weekend so that should give me an indicator.  I like his plans over BT's when it comes to the swim, that's for sure.  More bricks after the long bike ride as well.  I run fine off the bike so for me it is just a good way to get an extra run in.  It's been pretty easy on the body, which I am enjoying.

I think the biggest thing about finding a plan is finding one that can support the type of training you like to do that you enjoy.  Be it HR, RPE, or pace (or power on the bike).  I find pace a really hard concept to get around and don't think I could ever train by it.  Then it is up to you to be consistent.  I think for longer courses consistency is the key.  At some point in time, especially if you want to be competitive you need to look at the finer details but that consistency is so very important.

That is how I have been looking at it to this point in time anyways. 

The "wanting" to improve area is where I find myself now. Improving "A LOT" in all three areas, specifically where it matters the most- the bike and run. 

After any travel day and getting home late at night and with little sleep, I would have a rough start too 

I used BT's 20 wk program for the 1st IM. - worked out well. 

I will be using Matt Fitzgeralds Triathlete Magazine's Essential Week-by-Week Training Guide: Plans, Scheduling Tips, and Workout Goals for Triathletes of All Levels  . Level 7 for the IM.

I started using it last year but when "Life" got in the way, I used Tommy's Law.

Thomas

Training plans would be an excellent topic.  I have the Don Fink book, membership to this site and my husband used another plan which he still has liked for his first IM.  How did you choose? What factors went into the decision?

I know that I really just have to sit down and go through them and just pick one.  I am looking for relative simplicity - it would be nice to know that Tuesday is a bike/run day.  I also am looing for a reasonable build as well as a long bike schedule that will make me feel confident enough that i can easily get off the bike in time.

I don't mind being self-coached - i am happy to do all of the training prescribed but i do know how to listen to my body. Really, i just want to finish but in the end I also want to put in some good training to have me do as well as I can ... but I am realistic about what 'well' is for me.

Oh you're so lucky - those of us in the frozen north have little other choice.  Last night i did a short high RPM session that was part of the winter plan. I programmed it into my garmin and it beeped when i needed to do something and i had the cadence targets programmed as well so if i wasn't hitting that it would also beep at me. 

My bike is set up in our family room in the basement so i watch tv while doing this.  Using both the TV and the pre-programmed workout does make the time go by faster.

I am with you on this TV and music a definite must1 - intervals and following a specific workout plan. Jorge has a winter bike program using power as well as HR. 

The most I've done on a trainer is 2h and a little bit and to be honest, never again unless I can help it. They don't make big enough saddles!

I use the trainer year around since I primarily workout in the morning before sunlight shows up.  After thinking about my trainer setup I may be a bit overstimulated in the pain cave HAHA.  I have a laptop setup with TrainerRoad software which displays my workout and target power/intervals - I have the radio/CD on - and I also have a DVD on the TV (muted) with some type of cycling going on.  That might be a little much .

I find that the really tough 1 hour interval workouts that I am so concentrated on the interval that I rarely take note of what is going on with the tv or radio.  The 90 minute workouts are when I actually watch the TV.  I have never ridden over 2 hours on the trainer although I would if it was necessary.  I really do not mind it.