Grubester

Half Ironman Training Update #48

by Sean on April 17, 2013

Had a great weekend that has provided a wonderful confidence boost in my training. Saturday was the Rock the Parkway Half Marathon. It’s a huge race in Kansas City with about 8,000 runners between the half marathon and 5k. I felt good heading into the race, just planning to run my own race, and avoid getting caught up in trying to get a certain time.

The race went great. I kept my heart rate low for the entire race, and didn’t really push it at all until the last 2 miles. Given that my heart rate was so low, I probably could have gone a little harder, but I’m not really stressing out about that. I counted this as a “base period” race, meaning it was more about logging the miles than it was about getting the time. That’s pretty hard for me to do, but I enjoyed the race thoroughly. I did my best to thank as many volunteers as possible, stopped at a neighborhood Gatorade stand being tended by a an eight year old girl having the time of her life, and still had a solid run. In short, I got everything I wanted out of the race, including a finisher’s medal.

I made the very difficult decision this week to drop out of Ironman Kansas. As I told my Dad, I know I would finish, I just don’t think I’d have much fun doing it. The winter weather put a damper on my riding this year, and I’m just now starting to get in the quality miles I feel I need. It was a tough call, but I also feel it’s the right one. After dropping that race, I decided to throw in the Hospital Hill Half Marathon. It’s a pretty challenging half but will be more good training prep (this time in some heat). Lest you think I’m throwing in the towel, I’ve included my race calendar for the rest of the season. I’ll be a half iron finisher, just in a different state.

June 1 – Hospital Hill Half Marathon
July 14 – Shawnee Mission Triathlon – Long Course
August 25 – Midwest Meltdown Triathlon – Long Course
September 21 – RedMan Half Iron Triathlon
October 19 – Kansas City Half Marathon
November/December – Tulsa/Dallas Marathon

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Half Ironman Training Update #47

by Sean on April 5, 2013

Just one more week until the half marathon, and nine more weeks until Ironman Kansas. I’ve had some rough patches the last couple weeks, but most importantly – I’m starting to believe. Lately, I’ve started battling insomnia. I’ve been waking up at 2, unable to fall back asleep. I then don’t feel like getting up to train at four, because I’m just starting to feel like I could finally fall back asleep. My doctor has prescribed some sleep aids for me which are starting to help, but I’ve had to push my training back to lunches and nights to make sure I’m in the best shape to push myself.

About two weeks ago we had an 8” snowfall on a morning of a planned 10 mile run. I needed this run bad in order to prep for the half, but Mother Nature didn’t seem to care so much. I ended up spending most of the day digging us out, and ditched the run for the day. I was on the way to the gym by 4:15 the next morning in order fit in my long run before work. They say that a good deal of triathlon training is mental – overcoming the obstacles your mind throws in front of your body. It’s not that I’ve ever disagreed with this sentiment, but I’ve never really felt like my mind was trying to take me down – until that day.

I hate running on the treadmill. Absolutely hate it. Even with an iPad and 5 TV screens, it’s just not enough stimulation to keep me focused. I would much rather be outside with a change of scenery, even in freezing temps. Alas, the slippery roads were interfering with an outside run, so there was no choice but the treadmill. I needed to get in those 10 miles. I knew running that far on the treadmill would be a challenge, but I didn’t think the desperation to step off would hit until mile 7 or so. At mile 4, my brain started to get in the way. Everyone else was coming and going, and I wasn’t even to the half-way point on my epic run. I ended up fighting back, knowing that I would be stronger on the other end of that 10 mile run. If I couldn’t physically make it 10 miles, that would be one thing, but I knew that wasn’t true. My body could do it, my mind just didn’t want to. However, I knew I would regret it all day if I stepped off early. I needed that 10 miles, and I stuck in there and got it.

When you are training for a big event like a half Ironman, there is so much training involved. The race takes so much preparation that if finishing/racing is the only goal you focus on, it can seem too out of reach. I’ve been trying to focus more on small wins. A long training ride, a fast mile workout at the track, or a better time in a 500m set in the pool. That 10 miler was definitely a small win. I’m going to carry that run in my pocket for a while, and I can almost guarantee I will reference it on race day. Most importantly, that 10 miler helped me believe. Ironman Kansas is happening, it’s going to be a crazy nine weeks, but it’s going to happen.

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