Ironman Louisville : Official Thread (Page 42)

Normally I don't think it matters very much if you switch the weekend long stuff every now and then, but I don't think I would this time.  That looks like a key workout weekend to me, and it's probably important to do it in that order.

You are going to be tired come Monday morning. 

BenDoesLife - 2010-07-27 10:23 PM

cornelius300 - 2010-07-27 8:27 PM

BenDoesLife - 2010-07-27 8:47 PM What would you guys say to someone who had the following peak month?

Bike: 605 miles -- 38 hours
Run: 101 miles -- 20 hours
Swim: 10,000 meters -- 4.5 hours
Total: 62.5 hours

You forgot to go swimming for 2 weeks? You will be just fine otherwise

This is what I'm curious about. I hate swimming, but feel confident and comfortable enough doing it during a race. I understand that ideally I would be swimming 20k-30k, but I just don't like doing it as training, so I try to make up for it on the bike and runs.

Can anyone relate, and is my logic that I made up for the fitness enough to make it through?

Sidenote, the 10,000 meters is a 3,800 / 3,000 / 3,200 -- so I am doing long distance swims.

You are looking for advice from a lazy slacker swimmer?

I'm your man!

I get really bored with swimming, and it takes a lot of determination to get my swims in.  I tend to really slack off until the final 8 weeks and then I try and hit the pool like crazy.  Try for 6-8,000 meters a week until we are one week out.  You need to get in the pool asap if you want a good race.  The swim sets it all up, and if you are tired coming out of the water it will impact your bike and then your run. Think of it like this:  The swim is the easy part.  How good is your day going to be if you are tired after the easy part?

So how do you get yourself in the pool?  Jedi mind tricks.  First, set your goal for the week, and then tell yourself that you can not swim or bike at the end of the week unless you are on track to meet it.  You can skip today's swim, but you'll just have to add a swim in somewhere.  Try and create an attitude where you feel like you can't get out of swimming.  Next, you need to be afraid.  140.6 miles is a long way, and if you screw it up you will spend some time in the hurt locker.  How much time you spend depends on your fitness.  I'm soft like a kitty cats under belly, and I focus on getting to the painful part as late into the race as possible.  Sure you can walk on the run, but trust me, that hurts too and it just takes longer. 

Remind yourself when you are in the water that you might be bored, but that is a lot better than pain.  Tell yourself that you can get out after 1500 meters, but you will just be back in the pool tomorrow.

One month!

OK, it's time to work on the plan.  How is the nutrition, clothing, and packing list coming along?

Good Luck!