140.6 Ramblings - Triathlon Stories

Thoughts from an amateur triathlete and entrepreneur while he trains for his first full iron-distance race, the Rev 3 Cedar Point full triathlon in Sandusky, Ohio.

In April of 2011, just two weeks in to training, I lost someone very near and dear to me due to her long fight with cancer. After many close to me during the last few years have suffered from cancer, I've decided to dedicate my Rev 3 full iron-distance event to those who have lost the fight.

Every little bit will help. Please join me in the battle to find a cure.

77 Days

So, it’s been way too long since I last posted. Though, the training hasn’t let up at all. I just completed Base 3 today with a very tough 93 mile bike ride after yesterday’s wonderful sprint triathlon. Generally speaking, I’m feeling good, but definitely a little nervous about the upcoming build periods leading up to the big race. I can’t believe that it’s only 77 days until the big race (Rev3 Cedar Point Full Distance).

If I’m honest, I’m a bit nervous about the distance, but have made some great progress in Base 3 during the past 4 weeks. During Base 3 I clocked a total of nearly 45 hours in training and about 540 miles. I also had my longest ride ever at 100 miles on one of the hottest, smokiest days (proud of that effort) that we’ve seen in a long time.

Notes for Base 3 & Things that I’ve Learned:

Base 3 included a number of bridge repeat sessions for run training & the variety has been great. I learned that I need variety, it helps continue to push hard. Bridge repeats have really helped my run strength, and speed as well.
Mentally, I had some really tough days during Base 3, but I also learned that no matter how hard it seemed, or how much it hurt, the majority of the time the mind wanted to stop, but the body could keep going.
I have been getting down on myself a little bit about my bike progress lately. As I was writing this post I noticed that during Base 2 I wrote that “I did my first 60 plus mile ride… ever.” I can’t express the feeling that I’ve got right now knowing that I have made that much progress in 4 weeks time. With this kind of training, you need those little boosts. Sometimes, badly!

With those updates, I’m going to get some food. Need to keep the body fueled and recovering quickly. Build One starts tomorrow and the intensity and distance increases yet again. Within the next 3 weeks I’ll have my first “Big Day” training as my program shifts to focus on training sessions closer to the actual race.

Wow… 77 days. Here we go!