A Delay. Not An End.
IRONMAN California is next week. I failed to meet my fundraising goal, and expenses are not lined up to attend. I view this as a delay, not an end to racing.? Disappointed? Of course? Soul Crushing? Nope. I just keep pushing forward with new ambitious goals.
IRONMAN Foundation has graciously allowed me to transfer my entry to 2023 with the money raised thus far. Thank you to those who have donated generously to this cause, and I appreciate your ongoing support.
With that said, training continues as I gun for a sub-13-hour IRONMAN while simultaneously working on qualifying for Boston. Weekly + monthly updates will continue.
IRONMAN will 100% be in my future, with IM CA delayed to October 2023 due to financial reasons, and I am registered for the Memphis 70.3 in May while I chase Boston. I love the challenge of all three sports.
Strategy Change
While training is going well, I haven't been running as fast as I would like, so I started stalking the pro athletes on Strava to study what they did that I was not. I want to be the best age-group athlete I can be.?
I learned that the best of the best triathletes spent more time swimming than running. So painfully, I have intentionally reduced my running hours to dedicate more time to swimming. This month alone, I have swum 34,093 yards. I am still running with 76 miles logged in October; I am intentionally keeping running mileage around 120 to 140 miles per month vs. pushing 170 or 180 moving forward.
Results? Swimming works.?I just ran my P.R. half marathon in 1:50:02, a 2-minute drop from September.?I need to run a 3:50 marathon to qualify for Boston; my times are there.?
I have noticed a dramatic change in my breathing and flexibility from the long hours in the pool - I hate stretching and avoid it, so swimming is my "stretching."
You may recall my elbow break back in March when I turned down surgery and plates in my elbow. My elbow today is much straighter (still work to do) strength has fully returned - I can now easily carry a 40lb bag of dog food up the stairs with no issues, thanks to my endless swimming training sessions. I suspect in the next few months, my elbow will continue to straighten out.
P.S. I am using the Publix Marathon scheduled for February 26, 2023, to qualify for Boston.?
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Training Summary
13,725 yards( 7.8 miles) of swimming (highest weekly volume ever!) | 157 miles of cycling | 33.2 miles of running | 14+ miles of walks with Mr. Mico?
Long swim of the week was 1.5 miles @ a pace of 1:53/yard.
Long run of the week was 13.2 miles (half marathon) @ a pace of 8:19. I have to be under 8:47 per mile to qualify for the Boston Marathon. My fastest 17-mile run was at a pace of 8:41 back on July 2.?
Cycling
I started putting structure around cycling this week and incorporated Zwift's training rides from their plans into my training. This was a difficult change for me as I usually don't train by wattage.?Wattage = hard.?Moving forward, I will do at least 2 of these weekly sessions.
Long ride of the week was a 60-mile cycling session @ a pace of 21.5 mph with an elevation gain of 1,745 feet. IM CA course has about 1,700 feet of elevation for 112 miles which is why I do my long rides flat.
... And I am now on level 32 on Zwift !
Butikschef p? Systembolaget AB
2 年Impressive to see how much training you have to do to be at top level.. ????
‘Robust Aging’ Coach, Speaker, Educator, Presenter, CEC Provider.
2 年Another adjustment in training …. AND Rest-Recovery-Regeneration …. As you know, it’s amazing what a well-fed, rested body is capable of …. As a coach, I do my best to get my clients doing soft-tissue work and stretching … especially those doing physical labor, and training and playing hard. For me personally, not my favorite aspect of training, but an absolute necessity in my quest to move better for longer! Best wishes, Ilana! ????
Master Scheduler at L-3 Harris Technolgies. SAP.
2 年I am sorry that it didn’t work out to do the Ironman this year. I wish that I could have helped more. I admire your determination and hard work. You will get there next year. Good luck in all your training.