Survival

The big volume is coming up soon.

Longer workouts.

Faster training runs.

More food.

More gels.

More time alone.

More time by yourself.

You and your thoughts for hours at a time trying to focus on surviving.

That’s it.

That’s what this Ironman journey is about.

Survival.

It’s making sure you can make it till the end.

And enjoying it while you do it.

I have a 12 hour time in mind but that is a major stretch goal.

The real goal is to finish.

To become an Ironman.

You don’t become an Ironman on race day.

You become an Ironman through training.

Willing to put your body through more physical stress than most people will ever do in their lives.

It’s the day like this weekend.

2400m in the pool followed by a 60k bike.

13k run today.

Now that’s become a normal weekend.

Soon those numbers will rapidly rise.

Especially on the bike.

Outdoor cycling.

You and the road.

That’s it.

For hours and hours and hours.

This is the road you chose.

This is the life you chose.

The one that challenges you.

That tests you.

That forces you to come to grips with what you can accomplish.

What am I capable of?

Can I survive this?

I’ve been doing more than surviving my whole life.

I’ve been thriving.

And I’m not about to stop now.

This week in training - (Follow me on Strava here):

Swimming - 6.1k. Back in the pool this week. Didn’t finish my full workouts as I cramped up during one of them, and couldn’t finish the other one while the pool was open. Sprints are getting faster but still feel like there’s room for improvement on the longer distance.

Biking - 122.2k - another big bike session. Volume is going to ramp up soon, especially on the long rides. Legs felt good this week, especially recovering from the marathon. Still not outside yet but got my bike fitted for it so I’m ready to go.

Running - 17.3 km - solid run week. Got my race day pace so just have to maintain that on these runs. Not going as fast as I would like but goal is not speed, it’s surviving. Achilles and ankle felt sore on the long run so something to monitor this week.

Notes from Week 18 of training:

• Good to get back this week. Didn’t finish all the workouts I had this week so felt like I let off, but trying not to get too down on myself considering I ran the marathon last Sunday. Back to it this week.
• Nutrition was good this week, back to basics. Long bike days with all that nutrition is still tough on the stomach, but much better than it has been before.
• Decent swim sessions this week. Didn’t complete a few workouts as mentioned but solid pool sessions otherwise. Speed is getting there, especially on the sprints. Swimming faster than I have all year so have to be happy with that.
• Biking was solid this week. Got the bike fitted so I’m ready for outdoor riding.
• Ok run week. Legs felt sore the first half of this week as I was recovering from the marathon, but glad I got back to running. Left ankle and achilles was sore after the long run Sunday so something to watch the next little while.
• Movies - watched Meet the Parents (good laughs), V for Vendetta (great movie that feels a little too real right now), and Me, Myself and Irene (hilarious laugh out loud feel good movie). TV shows - watched Four Seasons (decent background watch), and up to date on Your Friends and Neighbours, and the Studio.
• Felt ok this week. A bit let down considering I didn’t complete all the workouts to the full extent, but still glad I showed up every day. Hard to believe I was back in the pool swimming 2.5k 2 days after finishing a marathon. Last time I ran one I was out for a week so my body is clearly recovering better. Starting to get a bit more nervous as race day gets closer and I get outside, but also know these are good butterflies to have. Bring on the summer and good weather!

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