Journey 140.6: Ironman Training Behind the Scenes

Less than a month to go!

You may hear about or see someone who crossed the finish line of a full Ironman, but what’s it really like to train for a 2.4 mile swim, 112 bike and a 26.2 mile marathon run (yes, all in one day)? For me, selecting the “standard volume” in my TriDot plan, it’s peaking at 15-16 hours a week during this last month of peak training for my September 28 IM Maryland race. The biggest thing that changes going from a half Ironman to a full is that your weekends become consumed with a long run and ride.

Beyond the training, I have to spend a few hours a week on everything else that involved in getting me to the start line such as researching and buying products, self-care, nutrition practice, bike maintenance, reading the athlete’s guide and watching race prep webinars. Here’s the behind the scenes look:

Mounds of Laundry- it’s probably the last thing you were thinking of but with more than 10 workouts a week X 2 of us, there has been an increase in detergent sales. Stock tip: Buy detergent manufacturer stock at the beginning of the training season and sell at the end!

So. Much. Chafing.- every shower after a long workout is a new adventure discovering the latest OW!

Amazon Prime- probably loses money on any Ironman-in-training. Every week it’s something else arriving on our doorstep just to keep us moving: running shoes, tires, tubes, CO2, gu, gels,shoelaces, super starch, electrolytes, goggles, earplugs, body glide, running shorts, swim suits, biking shorts, biking pants, KT tape, compression socks, new watch......

Just a week's delivery!

Workout planning - “Please book me a hotel with a spin bike”....”no, that’s a recumbent bike”....”no, that’s a stationary bike”. I apologize to my assistant and everyone else whom I’ve been driving insane with my “high maintenance” requests.

Self Doubt- “How in the world am I going to do more than twice that distance after a long swim and bike”, I found me asking myself after one of my early long runs as I iced my swollen foot”. Bring on the compression socks and KT tape – they have magical powers to manage the foot issues, and thanks to YouTube, I’m now my own PT. 

Breakthroughs- I never thought I would say, “Wow, I don’t even feel sore after that 5-6 hour bike ride”. And “Yippee...it’s a recovery week so my ride is only 3h25”.

Tapering- Right now I can’t wait to start reducing my activity in a few weeks, but when it comes here’s my warning:

I’ve been diligently following my training plan, often doing a workout in the morning and another one after work, so I’m doing all I can do. Wisdom says that in addition to hitting your long rides and runs, the best thing you can do is be consistent in your training as this is not a test you can cram for!  I have an almost weird kind of calm about this race. I feel like no matter what happens, I’ve already won just getting to the starting line.