140.6 Ramblings - Triathlon Stories

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So, the biggest training week I have ever completed is in the books and I’m already wondering if it’s enough.  In the world of triathlon most follow a periodization training program where you first go through multiple base periods to build a foundation layer, then build your fitness before peak training for your “A” race.  

With this approach, and in following Joe Friel’s plan fairly closely, last week was over 220 miles and nearly 20 hours of training.  This “biggest week ever” is kind of surreal to me now, as it was immediately preceded by what is now my second biggest week ever at just over 200 miles of training.  Even more amusing is that I’ll have my biggest day ever in training this coming Saturday (my second big day - feeling that this will go better than last time)… seems to be a lot of personal records to break in a few short weeks, but overall I know that this is what I need to do in order to get myself physically and mentally prepared for the Rev 3 Cedar Point 140.6 triathlon that is now just over a month away.  

This past weekend was also my biggest weekend of training that I’ve ever done (not just in this training program, but ever)!  It was a killer and deserves a little bit of blog space for others reading that may go through the same thing in the future.

Saturday:

Saturday consisted of an 18 mile run followed by a 2 plus mile swim at the UNF Aquatic Center.  The run went pretty well.  I was happy with the overall pacing, how I felt, and the fact that I made it through feeling as if I could have gone another 8 miles if I needed to.  With that said, I did learn/remember a few things along the way… after 15 miles my legs hurt.  

I also tried out a new nutrition items for my run.  Normally, I have been going with Hammer Gel, but I have read and heard such good things about EFS that I wanted to try it out in training.  For me, I found that the Vanilla EFS Liquid Shot is a bit too sweet for my liking taste-wise, but the nutrition seemed to sit with me well and worked for the entirety of the run.  I don’t know if this is what I’m going to use for race day or not just yet, but I’ll have to make that decision soon. Funny how having choices is a blessing and curse.  There are a lot of studies surrounding that in the psychology and marketing world… but I digress.  It’s good to know that I have two options that will work for me come race day.  At this point, I’m leaning towards the EFS, even with the taste, just because I had a good solid run with it and may need that mental recall on race day.

After wrapping up the run, I headed home, took a quick break, ate some food and rested for a little bit and then hit the pool at UNF’s Aquatic Center.

The swim was also a tough one as well, but I was determined to get through the full set.  Here’s a break down of the workout (all distances are in yards):

50 Easy 
6x50 Descending Times 
4x300 ME (4:25, 4:24, 4:26, 4:27) 
50 easy 
1500 Aerobic between 1:50-2:00/100 pace 
10x25 Fast Technique with Full Recovery 
100 Cool Down

Sunday:

The longest ride of training was scheduled for Sunday morning.  I was wiped out after the past two weeks and fatigue began to have an impact.  Normally, I’m up between 4:45 and 5am on Sunday morning’s to get nutrition in the system and try and beat the heat.  This Sunday I got up around 5:15, and really got moving around 5:30am.  45 minutes may not seem like a lot, but it turns out to be the difference of about 8 degrees in temperature and nearly 12 in heat index.  

I made it out to the bike, started the ride and was determined to at least get a good first loop in.  Mentally, I had already given myself an out of going back home if it was getting too hot out or too windy or… fill in the blank with any other “reason.”  I hit the first turnaround point in Vilano Beach averaging just about 20mph, which for me is pretty fast with a good, low heart rate.  I headed back north and struggled a bit mentally, but felt pretty good overall.  As I was about half way back up it was like someone turned on a giant fan… the wind kicked up in a nasty fashion - cross-headwind.  It felt like it was coming out of every direction. Couple that with the heat ramping up and I was battling to just keep going.  This time, it was a mental battle as physically I felt strong.  

As I turned the corner onto Ponte Vedra Boulevard, there was another cyclist on a TT bike.  I let him pass and then realized that he wasn’t going that much faster than me.  I rode about 10 yards behind him for 5 minutes and then decided to pull up alongside.  Normally, I train alone so it was enjoyable to have someone else in the vicinity holding a similar pace.  We chatted and rode together for about 5 miles holding a solid 22-23 mph into the wind and side by side (no drafting).  I looked down and my heart rate was still in zone 2!  Couldn’t believe it.  I was ecstatic to know that I could push a little harder than I normally do and hold the pace.  

After he turned off, I headed back to the car and was in a weird place mentally.  It was windy, hot, humid, and I was solo on my ride again.  I decided to head home and figured that I would at least get another couple hours in on the trainer to make it to 100 miles for the day.

Once I got home, I forced myself to get on the trainer pretty quickly and start getting the miles in/holding a good pace and heart rate.  As the miles ticked by I watched a few Ironman replays and thought about how I had talked myself into “giving up” on the day a number of times.  Mentally, I allowed myself to take the easy route - head home… only go 100 miles or 5 hours instead of the 6 hours I had planned.  I was mad and realized that this was my last shot at hitting the 6 hour mark… I pushed through.  

About 2 hours into the session on the trainer (I have a Blackburn Ultra Trainer - which I think I’ll be changing out this winter), it started to seize up.  I was more than frustrated at this point.  I was tired.  My legs hurt, I just wanted to finish my ride… and it wouldn’t let me.  I took a short break, refilled my water bottles and got back on the bike.  This time it worked.  Well, it worked for at least another 40 minutes and then seized up again.  The second time, I was about to throw in the towel and call it a day.  It’s amazing what little things will do to the mind when you are at your limit.  Somehow, I gave it another 2 minutes and it seemed to correct itself.  That moment was the moment I knew I was going to finish the workout and head out for a run afterwards as well.  

The day had thrown new obstacles at me that I’d never experienced with that state of fatigue (mental and physical), but I was able to push through.  I have a feeling that this will be huge for me on race day.

Overall, I’m feeling more fatigued than I would like to be right now, but I’ve only got a week of tough training left prior to my next rest/test week and then my final long ride/run before Peak and Race Prep.  

I can’t believe that the Full Rev is this close.

With that - signing out for now.

Thank you for reading, and supporting TEAM FIGHT.  Please consider a small donation to help support young adults affected by cancer.  As little as $5 will help get us to our goal!

Cheers!

-Elton