IM FL Training- how is everyone doing?? (Page 5)

runnergirl29 - 2006-09-19 10:53 AM Does anyone know how far in advance we'll have our BIB #'s? I know it probably won't be for another few weeks, but I'm starting to get anxious now

 I don't think they post them until race week or late the week before.  I think I remember seeing wisconsin folks wait quite a long time.

I know we're still six weeks out, and I still have work to do, but I feel ready to go *today*. I did 100 miles with almost 11000 feet of climbing in poring rain yesterday, and ran a strong three miles off the bike yesterday. I swear Six Gap is harder than IM is going to be. I battled all day with not weanting to be out there, and really wanted to take the turn for the shorter option, but I kept reminding myself to use the adverse consitions to my advantage. So I tried to smile as much as possible and just got through the day.

Pkus, it turns out that screaming down mountains at 40+mph, barely able to see with so much rain in my face is actually pretty fun.

Holy cow.  I just liked at the six gap route.  The Hilly Hellacious Hundred has similar specs, but I would guess that six gap has harder climbs.  Was Brasstown Bald as rough as they say?

I know the joy of the descent as well.  I'm happy to climb for 10 miles just to have that descent.  One of my favorite rides is from the end of the blue ridge parkway up to Balsam camp ground and back.  It's like 10.5 miles uphill (well there's one short downhill of .25 miles) to the turnoff to balsam gap, but the descent is great fun on a good surface.

Faith is taking a tunnel at 40mph without lights!

BB isn't on the route, but Hogpen (7 miles long with 2 miles at >15%)--especially after you've already been over 3 gaps, was hard enough. I know a couple of guys who took a turn and added BB to make it a 7 gap ride, just for fun.

Gulp.... wow... only 39 days left. Wow.

Did my first century ride yesterday.  Rained on us the first hour or so.  Not fun.  A challenging ride, but a good one nonetheless and a confidence builder for me.  The ride was 103 miles and I know I could have ticked off 9 more with no problem.  Got off the bike and felt pretty good.  Not sore today, but still can't feel the two little fingers on my left hand.  Happened after my last long (5 1/2 hour) ride so it should be fine in a day or so.  Guess I am putting too much weight on my hands when sitting upright.

Getting excited that IMFL is so close now.  Ready for the next three big training weeks to be behind us and let's get to peak weeks and TAPER!  Yeah, baby I'm all about the taper!

And as motivation, this is what I'm getting for (early) Christmas present. 

http://www.bigislandjewelers.com/IM_Pendants/IMP_MDot_10_Dia_Y.jpg

Awesome century rides!  Glad it was a confidence builder for you!  This week is another high volume week ( mostly with the bike) for me, and then I slowly start tapering.

I love that M Dot pendant- it's pretty!!  Talk about some serious motivation!!  I was thinking about getting an M Dot pendant since I'm not really a tatoo person.  But I'll probably get just the plain M Dot pendant in sterling silver.

I feel the same way.  I'm ready for this thing to happen.  I am starting to make a list of what I'll need and get everything together for the race.  I need more gels, Cliff Bloks, new goggles, spare tire, and the list goes on...we're almost there!  I can't believe it!

Long run last night - 15 miles.  Felt good.  But, these peak weeks are really tiring me out.  I actually slept in my car after lunch today in the parking lot at the office.  Taper...here we come.

TJ

I have seriously contemplated crawling under my desk at work to nap from time to time - like Costanza in that episode of Seinfeld.  Only thing that stops me is I can just see someone walking around to the other side of my desk to leave me a note or something and stubbing their toe on me.  DOH!

How many hours do you guys have in your plan for the remaining weeks?  I am following the Training Bible Hours and have the following:

16 hours (this week) - Base 3 week 2
18 hours (week of 10/2) - Base 3 week 3
8 1/2 hours (week of 10/9) - Base 3 week 4 (R&R)
13 hours (week of 10/16) - Peak 1
10 hours (week of 10/23) - Peak 2

I think this week and next week are going to darn near kill me.  To get to 16 and 18 hours I have to do almost a 6 hour bike on the weekends (work schedule doesn't allow me to do much training during the week).  

Just curious to see what everyone else has planned.  Hope you all are doing well! 

9/25 - 9.5 (this past week)
10/2 - 14.5 hours
10/9 - 14.0
10/16 - 11.5
10/23 - 9.5

All workouts are becoming longer.  Less short stuff.  Saturday the 14th is my longest day - swim 1:50, bike 6:30, run :45.  That's 9 hours of working out.