Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 63)

You know how as the race gets closer, sometime you doubt this aspect of training, or that part.  How you wonder what you could have done differently??? We'll, I'm kinda there.

I'm a better than average swimmer, nothing great, but better than average.  In calm conditions, a sub 15 minute 1/2 mile swim is what I usually expect.  I have really been taking this swim for granted.  I have done plenty of open water swimming, and open water racing the last few years.  Some calm conditions, ome quite choppy, wetsuit and non wetsuit and I never get rattled.

I've had a few bad times here or there, and even had the fastest split in my AG twice, BUT never felt as if I needed more swim training. 

On to my point: In the middle of my training I was doing about 5,000 yards a week.  The last month I dropped that down to about 3,000 yards a week.  Now, I'm just doing 1 open water swim of 1.5 - 2 miles a week. 

Now, my training plan hasn't been ideal for my best race, but I'm not looking for my best race.  I'm looking for the best I can do on race day with the training I have put in.  With an 11 month old, things have been pretty rough, but I've still managed to put in 15+ hours a week.

In summation, should I be swimming more in these last few weeks being that you can really gain swim strength right up to race week?

Personally I think you can make some gains.  I'm not a swimmer per se but I know if I swim less than 3 days a week my times fall off.  Everyone has to do the best they can with 24 hours a day and squeeze in the training as best possible.  a bigger issue might not be so much how fast you swim and how well you can do on that leg of the race but more how tired its going to leave you going into the bike and run?  Is it peasy peasey lemon squeezy for you to knock out a 4224 yards swim and come out smelling like a rose? Or is it going to tire you so much it adversely effects your bike and run? 

About what I expected for September.  Unfortunately for training, I always have 2 conferences in September where I lose at least part of 2 weekends, plus the travel time.  So September turned out about what I expected. 

3 weekends of 100 plus mile rides in a row, so October will hit big numbers before the taper!!

I don't know how you all manage such big numbers.  I am unworthy.  Unfortunately I have a time consuming job and I like to sleep.  Run numbers are way behind.  I've had achilles tendinitis off and on for almost 2 years now and if I run a nanosecond more than I should I end up with some new problem.  I'm doing everything I can for it but there it is.  Rest has not improved it so now I just soldier forward.  I'm just not made for running!

Did 100 mile ride and 3 mile run today....weather was great and legs felt fresh off the bike!