kenj triathletes in training - IM and HIM focused - Closed (Page 50)

Eddie, stop reminding me that our race keeps sneaking closer and closer!!

It sounds like you have put in some solid training lately. I hope your medical issues stay in check. Good luck and stay strong with the training!!

Sorry...... It is hard for me not to start the count down even this far away. I have my training plan on my wall next to my desk to remind me of what is coming. .... Training is really starting to come together (based on what I can do without my wife and kids killing me) My 2 and 6 year old started asking for me not to go do my run yesterday and it killed me to leave for an hour, but I had to do it. I went for a 6am swim this morning so tonight, they get my undivided attention. Early morning workout tomorrow and I am taking them to the truck race at Bristol Motor Speedway in the afternoon so they will get some quality time with dad....

Woo hoo!!! Great job Maggie! Your post made me smile big! Well done on getting through the unexpected tough spots--I know I will be encountering some of my own this weekend, and I will remember your post and how you got through your challenge and still beat your goal time. You must be elated! Congrats!

This is getting real.

IMWI bib number 2180.

I was just kidding, believe me, I have been counting down for weeks already! Wow, that must be hard training with kids - I don't have any so my only guilt comes from leaving my husband home alone - and he can certainly take care of himself, at least most of the time!!

Have a great time at the race. I LOVE Bristol. It is definitely one of my favorite tracks. I guess you live close? I haven't been to a truck race in a while, but they are a lot of fun and sometimes I think they are better than the Cup races!!

Karen

Way to go Maggie, Bill, Ken, & Robin (I'm hoping I didn't forgot anyone)! Maggie, good job getting it done even though it didn't go according to plan. Bill, that's so great you volunteered after your HIM. Ken, sorry you had issues on the run. "Can't lift my leg over the bike"-you crack me up! Robin, you're going to do great at your marathon! I was thinking about you all when I was ridding on Sunday.

I'm just plugging away before IMWI (16 days), trying to make sure I've got everything covered. With school starting for the kids Monday & my daughter's birthday on the 29th it's a little hectic. My bike fit ended up being 7 hours over 2 days! I am definitely more comfortable, but unfortunately my seat is still an issue. I'm attempting one more saddle this weekend, but then I'm going to have to hold off until after IMWI. I also ended up having 5 flats this weekend!! 2 Saturday, 3 Sunday (even after buying brand new tires Sat after the 1st 2 flats!). It was frustrating to say the least, given that I ended up waiting on the road for a total of 4 hours for my husband. I carry tubes, but clearly not enough at a time! Just curious, during a race how many tubes do you carry? Normally I carry 1, but now I'm thinking 2, & 2 in SN.

Eddie, great job in getting in your workouts consistently!! We all know what I commitment that is & it's hard to fit it all in, but come race day you'll be glad you did.

Becky, I'm so excited for you this weekend!!

Great Job Maggie! I hope to be able to make the same claim in a couple weeks.
Good luck Becky this weekend!

Congratulations Ironman! Thats fantastic that you still managed to beat your goal. Hope you enjoy some downtime now.

Hi All!
Just checking in before heading to bed...flight for Louisville leaves early Friday, my husband is already on the road with my bike and all my gear in the car. I might not get a chance to post again before Sunday, so I just wanted to thank all of you and especially Ken for your posts and encouragement and for everything leading up to my race! I am super excited, not too nervous yet, I think I remembered to pack everything. I'll try to check in Monday!

Thanks again,
Becky

Good luck at Louisville Becky!!!! Can't wait to hear how your race goes!

Woot!!!! Congrats you are an Ironman! Sounds like you had an amazing IM - so happy for you!!!!!

I was just kidding, believe me, I have been counting down for weeks already! Wow, that must be hard training with kids - I don't have any so my only guilt comes from leaving my husband home alone - and he can certainly take care of himself, at least most of the time!! Have a great time at the race. I LOVE Bristol. It is definitely one of my favorite tracks. I guess you live close? I haven't been to a truck race in a while, but they are a lot of fun and sometimes I think they are better than the Cup races!! Karen

So I'm almost back to reality. Aches and stiffness have faded and now I'm getting antsy. Doing a fun 5k with some friends in Oct but that's all I have planned until I get my plantars healed once and for all (I hope!) Fun to eat and drink again - I have missed my red wine.

For those looking at IMMT in the future....it is an amazing race/venue. The village is very self-contained - tons of hotels with full kitchens, etc...Also a bunch of condos and houses around the lake. I would advise staying as close to the pedestrian village as possible. Some couples who were sharing a house on the lake had terrible time getting dropped off at transition race morning...I saw them running towards transition around 5:55 and it closes at 6:15. There are great healthy food choices and ton and tons of activities for kids, spouses, friends, etc....you will not get bored and if you have kids they will be tired at the end of the day - it was nice with everyone in bed by 9:30-10pm and up around 7:30 each morning.

the swim was non-eventful except for the turnaround (it's an out & back) there were people swimming on both sides of the buoys. This threw me off a little as I was keeping the buoys on my right and kept wondering if I was suppose to be on the other side but there were people on both side so I just kept going. The wave start was OK ...I did have to swim over a lot of people starting at the turn-around and it was a little confusing with the different clocks they used throughout the race. The swim finish used the 7am starting time, but the bike and finish line clocks all were on the pros starting time =25 mins earlier.

The most challenge part is the bike especially later in the day as the wind can kick up and really take the "wind" out of your sails! But you're rewarded with an amazing run - hilly going out but a nice 7 mile out & back stretch on a beautiful gravel trail. And the turnaround through the village is amazing - I was sure there was a pro or someone famous behind me -- the cheers from the crowds were deafening! Really gets you pumped for the final 13.1.

I wrestled back and forth with putting my calf compressors in my special needs bag - it funny how that ended up being my "downfall." I've never run with calf compressor, using them more for recovery. But I think the combination of the pavement then gravel then back to payment then cobblestone through the town just did my calves in. When I tried to stretch and felt a "pop" I thought I was done for. Any future IM there will be calf compressors in my run bag.

-maggie

Looking towards the future - would definitely do this race again. Possibly 2015 ...might look into REV3 Cedar point 2014 or stick to just 70.3

Great recap Maggie!! I am sure you are glad to return to normal for a bit, but if you are like the rest of us you will be looking for your next goal race! I have never really considered that race. but probably should since it isnt much further away then LP. I am pretty sure at this point that I am going to register for the new race in Chattanoga when it opens. It sounds like your recovery is going well though if you are thinking about racing again!! Congrats on a great trip and race!!

I just checked on Becky again and she is having a great race. She smashed her swim goal, I don't recall her posting a bike goal but she was under 6 hours and the first 10 miles of the run are going well for her.

Well, not only did I do it, I crushed it! I am an IronWoman! Total time 11:17:08 and 8th place in my age group! Had a current on the swim after the turn around at 1000 yards, so that helped a lot. I crushed the bike course, which I didn't expect to do because of the hills, but it wasn't that bad and I loved the course. The run got really tough at mile 12 and my stomach was tightening up so that was tough on my nutrition plan and at mile 18 my legs started to hurt bad. But...still did great and ran the marathon in 4:08, only 19 minutes slower than my PR. So even though I had to fight through the second half of the run and slow it down a lot, I am overjoyed with the result! Thanks for all of your support. Will post a race report sometime this week.

Congratulations.... what an accomplishment...

I was tracking a friend yesterday in Louisville and she was not in by the time I went to bed. This morning, all of her times and splits were zeroed out. I suspect from some of her times, that she may have a loop out of the bike or something. Could she have been DQ'd?