Ironman USA Lake Placid : Official Thread (Page 48)

Had my first Olympic triathlon today - Rumpus in Bumpass in Virginia! Weather conditions stunk (cool, rain and wind) with a storm moving through but the course was great and the support was good.

The storm caused lots of chop and churning so I got thrown around a lot on the swim and caught many a mouthful of lake water. The temp was 68 (its the cooling lake for a power plant so it was warmer for this time of year) which felt cold but was bearable. Most of the swim was "swim 20 strokes, stop, look around and figure out where the water pointed me, repoint and repeat."

I'm finally getting comfortable on the bike and the course was rolling hills which was fun. Special shout out to the family of deer that darted in front of my bike. My breaks work great, thanks!!! Just reminded me you seriously need to be alert at all times on the bike - anything can happen!

Racing in those cool rainy and windy conditions was a great milestone in my Lake Placid training. While the weather is definitely something to be prepared for, it gave me confidence that I can handle any conditions on race day!

Ryan

Dream Chaser,

Thank you for some good words of wisdom.  While you might be right that I am not training hard enough, I don’t believe that is the cause of trouble sleeping.  The nights after my longest toughest workouts seem to be the nights I have the most trouble sleeping – my legs feel restless, and even though my body is tired, my mind continues to race.  (I also had trouble sleeping after the marathons I ran.)

And yes, I have not been getting up as early as I planned to do during training.  It has been such a cold dark winter and I have been getting to bed so late, that I let myself sleep until 5:30 – 6:00 am, leaving for work by 6:30.  I do plan to get up earlier when I can get some sleep, but right now feel too sleep deprived. 

I think worrying about things (stressful job, finding time to train) is more to blame.  That’s why I love your reminder that this really is just a silly race – (for me more like an event, as my goal is to finish and not a fast time) and also about all the support we will have.  I think reminding me of this is just what I needed.  And I definitely plan to try some of that tea. 

One other factor that could be at work is post work-out nutrition.  I am starting to try different things and am wondering if anyone really has something they really like?

Ryan - I was right behind you when that deer almost took you out.  I said something to you like "that will pucker up your buttchecks".  Glad you were ok.  After I saw that deer I was on the lookout for his brothers and sisters.  Fortunately it was a solo.  Definately a tough race considering the conditions.  I look at it as a good test for the resolve.  Good to get the first race of the season under the belt.

Jeff

No way! What a small world. That was definitely really wild but it might have been a different deer. I remember 3 deer jumping out and almost taking out 3 of us riding almost abreast of eachother in mid-pass. I was definitely a little freaked and on the lookout for wildlife on the second loop! Will definitely keep that in mind at Kinetic Half. I agree with that race being a test for the resolve. Great work and good luck with your training!!

Ryan

Nice work to everyone who has raced so far this weekend! Good luck to anyone racing today!

The unfortunate reality of being a med student has kicked in to my brain and I'm going to need to dedicate a bit more time over the next 5 days to studying rather than giving it to training. I'm not as prepared at this point for my neuro final as I would like to be...so I'll be spending a few days in training recovery learning about psych, ENT and developmental pediatrics. Wooo...oh...and reviewing other neuro from before my last midterm The guilt of not studying is currently outweighing the guilt of not having a 3rd hard week! Oh priorities.

Last wed I did a trail 5k race and the results just got posted. I went 22:51! 5/30 in my AG and 9/65 for women...I don't think that has EVER happened for a run before. And it is my fastest 5k time ever! (by something ridiculous like 2min or something)  Looks like my running is getting a bit better!

Congrats on the PR and good luck with your tests!

My turn to brag; took second place in my AG (M 50-54) at a sprint race yesterday!

1:03:24 for 450M pool swim (8:28), 19.2 (listed as 10) mile bike (27:56), and 5K run (23:23) (unofficial T times - 1 = 1:13, 2 = 1:24)

Will put up RR later, but took today off to do a long ride and the weather looks pretty good so I'm outta here!

Hello....

Lots of PR`s, lots of fine finishes, lots of training and NOT lots of days to go...  what are we at - 97 left?

This is my first post.  This will be my first Ironman.  This is going to be awesome.  After watching the race last year, handing out chicken broth and water on the run course i realised that this is going to be a special day.  Have to admit, i do get the occasional tear in ym eye when i think about it.  And to someone elses post about what to do when you finish - isn`t a smile and a big thank you to you girlfriend / boyfriend / husband / wifer / partner the #1 thing to do?  The have a pint (i`m Scottish - i like beer).

Training - I think that i have put in a good three months for someone that really just wants to do a solid race.  Kona - haha.  Something between 12-13hrs will make me happy.  Allergy season is upon us - that means outside riding is abundance. 

Good luck in all your training and keep the banter flowing...

One more guy that will finish ahead of me in my age group at IMUSA. Congratulations!

Are you serious? How much did you get?

I saw a picture posted from Lake Placid that the ice on the lake is melting... which is encouraging.

Sunny and 70s here today - Someone mentioned allergies here... I'm fighting those or a cold or something and racing through it Saturday probably didn't make it any better. Should be an interesting training week.

We have had rain, strong winds, and some snow around here as well, just as our last snow pile is melting from our yard.  I have to say Saturday was the worst running experience I have ever had.  Soaked from the rain and heading into such a strong headwind made it seem like I would never make it home. It was harder than when I ran in a major blizzard last February, because then the snow didn’t leave all my clothes soaking wet. After a hot shower, I looked out saw snow on the ground, replacing the rain. Then I read how RJohnson had just done a triathlon and was really impressed. I guess we need to be grateful for circumstances that are making us stronger. Today I ran in mid-30 temps, but it felt warm compared to Sat

Dream Chaser – I’m enjoying a cup of chamomile tea as I wind down before bed.  It seemed to help last night. Thanks for the tip.

Aggie - watch out for the cops...  I’m sure that you have heard that they are handing out tickets for running red lights..   However, my mate has heard that cops will turn a blind eye between 6-8am providing you do hammer through a red light when someone is crossing...    The cops are all over the red lights on Riverside Drive too....

Those who do not live in NY - I am jealous that you can just go outside and drop in a 30-40miler before work....

I have been avoiding the park for that reason since January.  I've been cautious when crossing at red lights but today I lucked out with barely any cross walkers at 5:30 and zero cop sightings.  They're finally letting up a bit as long as you don't crash into a pedestrian or bike recklessly.  I was actually able to do my 8x5 minutes intervals without any interruptions - pure bliss! 

Just ordered a new Speed Concept 9 w/ Di2!!!!!!

So very excited right now, the hard part is going to be waiting the two weeks until it gets here.

nice!

I hear di2 is abslutely awesome!!

is your avatar from syracuse 70.3?....great shot witht eh fog in the background!

of course, we expect pics when you get the bke!