Base Training (Off Season)

Off season or the time between my next training phase is now. I plan to start training on a different approach for the next year using a 20 week cycle with two planned peaks.

I also plan to focus on one discipline each week more then the others. I hope this works because I still plan to race like there is no tomorrow  June through July. I can always sleep in the off season next year. The main race focus will be Half Iron distance (6 planned for 2014).

 

2013 RESULTS

Buzzard Duathlon - 2nd Overall

Eagleman 70.3 Tri - 4:39:08

14/219 AG 45-49

Huntington Sprint Tri - 1st Overall

Miltonman Olympic Tri - 5th Overall - 1st Master 2:08:21

Huntington #2 Sprint Tri - 5th Overall

Edinboro Olympic Tri - 1st AG 45-49

(rode 5 miles off course - it happens)

Giant Eagle 5150 Olympic Tri 1st Elite Master 

* New Olympic Distance PR - 2:02:21*

Muncie 70.3 Tri - 4:36:16

3/164 AG 45-49   42nd overall out of 1049 

Steelhead 70.3 Tri - 4:36

2/123 AG 45-49

2013 70.3 Worlds Las Vegas NV

58/184

Sick - So 2 weeks off and start the wholle cycle again!

Sickness happens and you really can not do anything to stop it. Especially if you teach in an elementary school. The good and bad go hand in hand. My sickness happened one week before the USAT Long Course Nationals and that means the season is over!

So two weeks off and start the training for next year.

2014 looking forward

2013 is in the books and it was not as successful as I would have hoped but that's true with most things.
I learned a lot more about myself as an athlete and what needs to be refined for next year.
One thing that has not changed is my nutrition - HAMMER NUTRITION - has aided my training and racing.

2011 Philadelphia Marathon 2:46:19 (Debut Race at 26.2)

Mile 21

The 2011 Philly Marathon was my first and a bit scary. The worst part like anything new is the unknown. I have heard so many horror stories about hitting the wall around twenty miles and everything shutting down, so I had some apprehension. I had put in the long runs and averaged 50-65 miles a week, the intervals, and felt fit (even though I only had eight weeks after 70.3 Triathlon World Championships to dedicate to the marathon). I planned to race my first Marathon to see how far I could push before the tank went empty, not run to experience the distance. I respect the distance and ran conservative early and kept waiting to hit the wall.

I really did not hit the wall but did fall off pace in the last three miles into the finish. Those miles gradually climb up and I lost 15 seconds a mile and my left knee and calf was tight with a constant pain (over used tendons ? ).  The twenty five mile banner came up and I could not wait to cross that finish line. I crossed the line and was glad to have raced my first marathon. I was lucky enough to run 2:46:19 and finish 76th out of 10268 and finish third in age group 40-44. I really have a lot of respect for anyone that trains and races this distance. Intense is the only way to describe 26.2 miles.

  

The 2011 Tri Season is Over

The 2011 TRI season is over as I switch to run mode. My next focus is on another first for me. The Philadelphia Marathon in November. This all leads back to the focus for next year, Ironman Florida 2012. Uncharted territory. In the past I have normally raced every weekend over June, July, and August.
This season I spent more time on big weekend rides and runs. I don't know if it worked but it did not hurt me.

A recap of my 2011 race season:
April

•  Hinkley, Ohio - Sprint Duathlon - 3rd overall (first ametuer- beat by two local pro triatletes)

May

• Taylorsvile, KY  - Half Iron Tri - 4th overall - 4:34

June  

•  Twinsburg Sprint DU 1st Overall
•  Maumee Olympic Tri 4th Overall  2:09:22

•  Muncie 70.3  2nd AG 44-49   4:34:15
•  Huntington Sprint Tri  1st Overall
•  Miltonman Olympic Tri 3rd Overall 2:04:31

Aug

•  Twilight Trial 8k 1st Individual Overall
•  Steelhead 70.3 (swim cancelled)  2nd AG 44-49

Sep 

• 70.3 World Championships  Las Vegas, Nevada

Oct

• Columbus Half Marathon 2nd AG 40-44  1:15:59

Nov

• Philadelphia Marathon 3rd AG 40-44   (Debut 26.2)  2:46:19

Over a year out and thoughts of training for my first IRONMAN...

I just signed up for Ironman Florida and was lucky enough to get registered in the 16 minute online window. Unbelievable, I had two friends that did not get into the race.

December the training begins and stays the focus through the entire year. This blog is a weekly reflection on my mental and physical dealing while training for Ironman Florida.