Ironman Coeur d'Alene : Official Thread (Page 74)

Regarding ear plugs, I recommend Doc's Pro Plugs or the moldable silicon type.

I used to suffer from VERY frequent ear infections while whitewater kayaking or swimming, so I went with the custom molded ear plugs.  You have to go to an audiologist or ENT specialist, and they will set you back aound $75, but well worth the money.  I wear them each time in the pool or OWS and haven't had an infection since.

I use ones that are very similar to these http://trisports.com/macksearplugs.html You do not have to order online.  I can generally find them at Walgreens or a similar drugstore.  You can mold them to completely seal water from getting in your ears.  Plus they are cheap and you don't have to worry about them getting lost in T1.

Us clydes just need a little more elbow room, thats why it gets rough out there.  Other then the down hills, it's the only other time we have a little advantage over them "skinny people."  A little water polo practice can also get ya ready for the open water swim.

All joking aside, I'm just hoping for a little open water to calm the nerves before I run into or get caught by the next pack.

See ya all in less then 3 months.

No, no! You Clydes are great for us on our 48cm frames and 650 wheels to legally draft behind!

March for me. 

Swim: 14.25 hours

Bike: 29.25 hours

Run: 22.00 hours

Total: 65.50 hours

good work you guys!

Would've liked a few more miles/yards, but who wouldn't? I hit the goals generally that I set forth for March. Hope you had a good month too. My body is holding up nicely and fitness is coming along. The volume doesn't speak to the quality either. Shanks has been throwing a fair bit of that my way too.

I have computrainer class tonight, so add another hour to the bike.  Didn't end up too shabby on the bike and swim, but my run was light.  I spent two weeks at reduced volume because I was worried my stress reaction was acting up again.  After seeing a sports med doctor and a physical therapist, I've determined the only thing actually acting up is my imagination   So volume there has gone back up.

I'd like to throw a random question out there:  I'm doing my first century ride next Sunday and am trying to determine how far I should ride this weekend.  I did 80ish last weekend, so should I stay in that range?  Should I do a shorter ride as a pseudo-taper for it?  If I were running a race next weekend, I'd likely do a shorter long run the weekend before.  I'm just curious if people do the same with bike rides.   

Nice work everybody!  Race day is soon approaching!

Daniel,

I think at your age what you ARE DOING is better than MOST so don't be too hard on yourself. I am 43 and trying to outrun the grim reaper, which we all know in the end I will lose to. Not to mention I used to weigh close to 300 lbs. I have different sources of motivation and more time than many due to the nature/success of my business.

I don't know how many good years I have left. I am trying to squeeze every ounce of the time/body I have.

At your age, I wouldn't have been caught dead doing this stuff, so I applaud you. Even if you don't recognize it, your wisdom is beyond your years.

I hit 100 miles running for the month - or I will after this evening, anyhow.  Right where I want to be for March.  My biking hours were low but that was mostly due to bikes being in the shop and/or me being sick.  But I'm not worried about that.  My power test this month showed I am still better than last year and I feel on track with my own goals.

Now that we're into daylight savings I'm planning to start riding to work (17 miles or 30 miles each way, depending which route I want to take).

Totally. I could be your mother, Daniel (YIKES!). And I, too, feel like I am racing the clock before I start the slow decline (I'm 43). Still setting run PRs, so that's good. I'll never see a swim PR again (former swimmer, and a sub-5:00 500 free is not happening!!). This is my second go at the IM and I have some demons to conquer. But I also have a life, a husband, two wonderful kids, and a healthy perspective on it all (I think). Sometimes I regret not doing this in my 20's when my body would have been able to recover faster, but dayum, did I have a fun time back then starting my career, meeting my husband, etc. It's all good. Glad I found this sport at some point, at least!!

The balance is much harder than I expected.  I did 65 hours in March and last week was only around 10-11 hours due to the Olympic race.  My wife has been great, but the guilt of missing anything with the family has been my governor.  I can make just about everything fit (really early or really late workouts) except the long ride/run brick (4.5 hours now) each weekend....and those are going to get really long in April/May.   

Just last night my wife said she'll make sure I get the training I need to do well in CdA.  Yea!!  In return, she wants a new car on/by June 26th.  I said "you drive a 3 year old car".  She said, on or by June 26th, honey.  Boo!!  

These Ironman events sure are expensive.