The Road Less Traveled: IM 2012

Oryx · 22-05-2012 2:21pm

Dory Dory wrote: »

If my wetsuit would fit you, I'd send you mine. I assume they have sizes??

Yup, and to complicate it, different brands fit differently. My current stats make me a size small, my orca suit is a medium.

couerdelion · 22-05-2012 4:20pm

Oryx wrote: »

God, I must be doing something right in the swim if Im getting bigger shoulders!

Or it could be all thoe kettlebells?
It always nice when clothes get too big for us. Not so much fun the other way round!

Oryx · 22-05-2012 4:35pm

couerdelion wrote: »

Or it could be all thoe kettlebells?
It always nice when clothes get too big for us. Not so much fun the other way round!

No, its the swimming. Definitely.

*please let it be cos Im getting better at swimming.

Oryx · 22-05-2012 9:29pm

Speaking of kettlebells, did a session earlier. It was hard. I don't feel tired so much, but I'm not doing well at these right now - I've not got the strength I'd normally have. Still. I hope its helping.

I tried to run afterwards but ditched it after ten minutes. Useless, tired junk. Save my energy for something more useful tomorrow.

Izoard · 23-05-2012 11:45am

So, how are you feeling 5 or so weeks out from the big one?

What's the plan/prediction for the double Oly?

Oryx · 23-05-2012 12:10pm

Izoard wrote: »

So, how are you feeling 5 or so weeks out from the big one?

What's the plan/prediction for the double Oly?

Today is not a good day to ask.

Had to bin a session this morning (which I never do) because of toothache and feeling worn out. A rest day is badly needed I think.

In terms of the race, I think I'm still in a happy cloud of blissful ignorance. The only day I got a flutter of panic was when Lanza was on and I was tracking a guy I knew. Had a moment of 'oh jesus fcuk I have to do that'.

I haven't done enough ow this year to feel ready for 3k in a river, the race will all come down to how that goes. But to be honest, I don't care what I do, I have to keep the effort below max, and its really to practice nutrition and a long bike with just a trisuit! Its a strange thing to be approaching a double oly as a 'handy' training day.

tl;dr? I'm too calm. I dont seem to be taking it seriously.

RedB · 23-05-2012 12:27pm

Calm is good

- flapping around or getting wound up is just a waste of nervous energy :cool:.

I figure its all about pacing it slow enough to make it to the end line happy :rolleyes:. I get the odd WTF:eek: moment when I visualise certain scenes but try to park them and just do what you can do.

You're amazing for making so many of your sessions so give yourself a break when you need it (ideally before your body breaks!). Learning how to push just hard enough is a skill that you already have so use it wisely padawan

Izoard · 23-05-2012 12:46pm

Sounds like you are both in in great shape and all the best with the "easy training day" at Athy!
The double oly has been my most enjoyable experience there - if only because you get to go in the first wave:)

Oryx · 23-05-2012 9:19pm

Reluctantly headed in to the pool for my long swim set this evening. I've been wrecked all day and did not think it would go well.

Did 100m w/u which felt ok, then began the set thinking I'd probably not finish it..

4 x 500
1 x 1000
150 s/d

..but I did. This was actually a great set to do, it felt grand. Now, my 500s were slower than they ought to be but I did try to keep the effort consistent. 80 mins total including breaks.

Oryx · 24-05-2012 9:42am

Ironman training means getting up ridiculously early. I always knew this, but never realised that, rather than being a pain, I really like it. Another 5am start this morning, out the door, all stocked up with gels and water, for a two and a half hour run. I had to be done by eight. Gorgeous morning for it too, sunshine and birdsong. Whats not to like?

Part of my clever plan involved stashing my water bottle at a crossroads a mile into the run, I would then loop back twice to that point, so didnt have to carry the bloody thing all the way. That, and my two Hi5 gels got me around without any problems, and I'm glad it was there, it got quite hot from early on, and this sudden burst of summer after months of chill means I'm not used to running hot.

Managed 26.7k in 2hrs 29 mins. There are some stinkers of hills on the route so I'll take that, thanks. Another session done. Another step on this last few weeks of grind.

couerdelion · 24-05-2012 9:52am

Oryx wrote: »

Ironman training means getting up ridiculously early. I always knew this, but never realised that, rather than being a pain, I really like it.

Wierdo! I hate the mornings. Grand once I'm up and about but getting out of bed is the hard part.

Must feel great though to get the training done and dusted so early.

shotgunmcos · 24-05-2012 10:31am

Good stuff Oryx, thats IM type carry on alright. Having a long workout like that under your belt as the cat stretches and the milkman whistles by... feels good.

I have my debut 5 am session this weekend

griffin100 · 24-05-2012 11:51am

I'm in awe. I struggle to get to work on time let alone get up at 5am to train. I tried it a few times in the early days of my IM training but decided very quickly I preferred me bed.

RacoonQueen · 24-05-2012 12:10pm

Didn't sleep on Tuesday night and was tempted to get up and go for a run at 5am. Even I'm not that crazy.

Surprisingly easy to be awake at that time, it's just getting out of the bed thats the hard part.

Great going oryx. So nearly there now, you won't know yourself when you get a lie in every morning.

Oryx · 24-05-2012 12:13pm

griffin100 wrote: »

I'm in awe. I struggle to get to work on time let alone get up at 5am to train. I tried it a few times in the early days of my IM training but decided very quickly I preferred me bed.

I can only do it when I know the night before that I'm going to do it, the alarm is set and the kit is all laid out ready by the bed, and if I dont get out, I know wont have time later. That alone is a great incentive.

Plus, I think Im mental. I watched this clip last year and oh, how I laughed at how ridiculous it was. I'm not laughing now.

hf4z6sqo7vjngi · 24-05-2012 2:18pm

Great job Oryx. Use these warm conditions to simulate race pace efforts on bike and run as it will help prepare you for Austria.

Oryx · 24-05-2012 2:35pm

Wells Delicious Gazelle wrote: »

Great job Oryx. Use these warm conditions to simulate race pace efforts on bike and run as it will help prepare you for Austria.

As will the river trail run in Athy next week. Looks like it will be a scorcher the same as last year. Hoping!!

Oryx · 25-05-2012 10:33am

Early swim. Did I say early again? Yes I did. But almost a lie in, didnt hit the water till 6.50am.

Started off sluggish, like someone had replaced the water with cement and tied my feet to the end wall. But as the set wore on it eased a bit. Did mixed drills for the first 1200, then finished with a straight swim. 2050 in just under an hour. I took a few long breaks, it was one of them days.

Oryx · 26-05-2012 7:18am

Just back from a 12k run. Its a gorgeous morning. Finally we get some warmth and summer. It was fair windy tho, I dread to think what the bike will be like if its the same tomorrow. Still, I enjoyed this run and its over and done nice and early. 66 mins.

shotgunmcos · 26-05-2012 8:35am

Oryx wrote: »

Just back from a 12k run. Its a gorgeous morning. Finally we get some warmth and summer. It was fair windy tho, I dread to think what the bike will be like if its the same tomorrow. Still, I enjoyed this run and its over and done nice and early. 66 mins.

Twas windy on the bike.. but hey I was in short sleeves at 5am.. happy days

Oryx · 27-05-2012 2:25pm

Gorgeous day today. Out early on the bike, in summer kit for the first time this year. It was blissful for the first couple of hours but after that it got really hot. It was a boring solo slog today and I did find it a bit of a headfcuk. Musta drank about 3l of water and juice and ate everything I could. By the end of this ride I was sick of the bike, but the main problem was ass discomfort. The legs were holding up well, but aldi shorts were a bad, BAD idea.

151.5k in a slow 6.27 hours.

big mce · 27-05-2012 8:14pm

Oryx wrote: »

Gorgeous day today. Out early on the bike, in summer kit for the first time this year. It was blissful for the first couple of hours but after that it got really hot. It was a boring solo slog today and I did find it a bit of a headfcuk. Musta drank about 3l of water and juice and ate everything I could. By the end of this ride I was sick of the bike, but the main problem was ass discomfort. The legs were holding up well, but aldi shorts were a bad, BAD idea.

151.5k in a slow 6.27 hours.

Just a suggestion. My wife had awful problems with back side discomfort during long bikes until she bought these. She tried every type until settling on these. Now she swears by them,

http://www.slanecycles.com/assos-h-fi-lady-s5-shorts-black-p-4075.html

Oryx · 27-05-2012 8:23pm

Thanks. I've been trying to htfu but tis only getting worse. I'd love to get something good like that but in all honesty my ass aint worth that kind of dollars.

Bally8 · 27-05-2012 9:07pm

I hear ya on the ass pain. Im feeling the exact same right now.

Brick Session · 27-05-2012 10:00pm

Oryx wrote: »

Gorgeous day today. Out early on the bike, in summer kit for the first time this year. It was blissful for the first couple of hours but after that it got really hot. It was a boring solo slog today and I did find it a bit of a headfcuk. Musta drank about 3l of water and juice and ate everything I could. By the end of this ride I was sick of the bike, but the main problem was ass discomfort. The legs were holding up well, but aldi shorts were a bad, BAD idea.

151.5k in a slow 6.27 hours.

Oryx, well done on all you are managing so far. I am just finishing week 17 today and finding it very easy to wander off the training plan over the past couple of weeks. However hard it is for me, but you have to run a house as well, respect.

Maybe try double shorts for the long spins, a decent pair under the Aldi ones even.

Oryx · 27-05-2012 11:17pm

Oddly enough heavier padding often makes it worse. I'll be doing the race at the weekend in a trisuit to see how that goes, so I can decide what to do for the big one. I think tho, this week I will invest in some anti chafe cream.

I'm disappointed in how slow the bike still is, but I know this bloody pain issue is part of the problem. Either way, come race day I'm gonna have to just ignore the discomfort and just get it done. Tis only pain, right?

hf4z6sqo7vjngi · 27-05-2012 11:22pm

Oryx wrote: »

Oddly enough heavier padding often makes it worse.

I actually find this myself, the less padding the better for me. Try the tri suit on some of your bikes. Its right about now you need to get the your race gear/nutrition/hydration nailed down and put into practice on the longer sessions.

RacoonQueen · 27-05-2012 11:29pm

I'm usually fine with just tri shorts or running capris. Found it fairly painful yesterday though so stuck undershorts on today and had no issues. Can't be wearing padded undershorts in a tri though unless you like running in nappies or stick them over your tri shorts.

Oryx · 27-05-2012 11:31pm

Wells Delicious Gazelle wrote: »

I actually find this myself, the less padding the better for me. Try the tri suit on some of your bikes. Its right about now you need to get the your race gear/nutrition/hydration nailed down and put into practice on the longer sessions.

Yeah. Thats what I'm trying to figure out this last few weeks. Just a few more things to test over the next two weeks, but I'm beginning to form a pretty ok plan on what to eat and drink on the bike.

griffin100 · 27-05-2012 11:59pm

Wells Delicious Gazelle wrote: »

I actually find this myself, the less padding the better for me. Try the tri suit on some of your bikes. Its right about now you need to get the your race gear/nutrition/hydration nailed down and put into practice on the longer sessions.

I usually wear tri shorts under bib shorts for long rides, but then again I expect I have more to protect than JB.

Seriously though, fit is as important as padding. I find that tri shorts due to their tight fitting are very comfortable. JB is right though, you need to get your final set up sorted now. 7hrs in the saddle is hard enough without having your rear end singing to you.

Oryx · 28-05-2012 7:12am

I never thought I would be discussing the finer details of my ar5e with strangers on the internet.

BennyMul · 28-05-2012 9:38am

Hi
Have you looked into changing your saddle, some types just dont suit. it took me a while to find one I can sit on for hours,

also congrats on the training,

griffin100 · 28-05-2012 10:17am

Oryx wrote: »

I never thought I would be discussing the finer details of my ar5e with strangers on the internet.

You're obviously not posting on the right websites

Oryx · 28-05-2012 10:30am

I tried a few other saddles last year. Most felt like bricks so I stuck to what I knew. Changing the angle helped a lot, this has only flared up now because of the huge jump in distance for me. I don't want to change the seat now at this late stage. Will try some other strategies to deal with it.

handangeo · 28-05-2012 10:40am

All set for Saturday? - Weather looks to be warm , a good testing session for Austria.

griffin100 · 28-05-2012 11:14am

Oryx wrote: »

I tried a few other saddles last year. Most felt like bricks so I stuck to what I knew. Changing the angle helped a lot, this has only flared up now because of the huge jump in distance for me. I don't want to change the seat now at this late stage. Will try some other strategies to deal with it.

Did you get out of the saddle much on the long ride? I find that if I do a long bike on a flat course where I can stay in the TT position without getting out of the saddle for a couple of hours I can get 'affected' by this. On longer flat rides I make myself get out of the saddle to give the ass a rest and allow some blood flow into the lower regions at least a couple of times per hr.

Oryx · 28-05-2012 11:37am

Ready as I'll ever be. Which means not very. I'm feeling very slow these days, I think it comes from looking at all the uber fast guys on here.

Oryx · 28-05-2012 3:29pm

griffin100 wrote: »

Did you get out of the saddle much on the long ride? I find that if I do a long bike on a flat course where I can stay in the TT position without getting out of the saddle for a couple of hours I can get 'affected' by this. On longer flat rides I make myself get out of the saddle to give the ass a rest and allow some blood flow into the lower regions at least a couple of times per hr.

Don't have tt bars because I never developed enough skill to use them (that same old long story again). I go from hoods to drops and ride out of the saddle now and again. Maybe not enough though.

Oryx · 29-05-2012 10:16am

Last night I did the usual ow swim. I have no idea what distance I covered, but I was swimming for 50 minutes. Must have been around 1800-1900m. We were supposed to swim parallel to shore, but on one long stretch along the strand, I think I sighted a bit wonky because all of a sudden I was MILES from shore. Ooops. Need to work on that! Although in Athy the worst can happen is I swim into the bank....

This morning yet again found me sitting on the turbo. Or should I say, standing on the turbo. Given the delicate condition of my rear end right now, I thought a session of 'out of the saddle' reps would be a good call. Started at one, worked up to six minutes. It was very humid and sweaty, even at 7am. But felt like a good hours work.

Oryx · 29-05-2012 1:27pm

I just pranged someones car, expensively. Gawdammit. Bye, bye, new wetsuit.

elvis jones · 29-05-2012 1:36pm

Oryx wrote: »

I just pranged someones car, expensively. Gawdammit. Bye, bye, new wetsuit.

Ah poo what happened:(

Dory Dory · 29-05-2012 1:45pm

Two ideas....
Can you rent a wetsuit?
Or, I can unearth mine, make sure it's in good order (did not wear it all last year), and if it's okay I can mail it to you. Might take a week to get to you.

Oryx · 29-05-2012 1:49pm

elvis jones wrote: »

Ah poo what happened:(

My stupidity happened. Not only am I a crap cyclist, I cant drive a bleedin car, either.

Dory Dory wrote: »

Two ideas....
Can you rent a wetsuit?
Or, I can unearth mine, make sure it's in good order (did not wear it all last year), and if it's okay I can mail it to you. Might take a week to get to you.

Ah, thanks thats very kind. But I will be ok in my old reliable orca s2. Really appreciate the offer, though.

Dory Dory · 29-05-2012 2:53pm

Well, do really take note the next time you swim in it just how much water is in there with you. Too much will cause weight and drag, which you don't need, especially at the distances you are going....and, PLUS, especially for the commitment you've put into this massive undertaking.

Oryx · 29-05-2012 10:29pm

Kettlebells. Angry, 'I've had a bad day' kettlebells. They're the best kind. One hour session, all the usual stuff. Very doable but god was it hot and sticky. Not complaining tho! I'd rather melt than freeze!

Oryx · 30-05-2012 10:36am

Turbo this morning. Unbelievably, it is still really difficult to sit comfortably on the bike. I did a right job on myself! This was a short session because unlike the more diligent IMers this week, I did NOT get up at 5 am, I only jumped on the bike at 7. (This is a step back week because of the race and boy am I enjoying it.) 45 mins of high cad sweating.

Izoard · 30-05-2012 5:09pm

Enjoy the race - I think you will surprise yourself - all those grinding solo bike rides and runs will seriously pay off for you.

Oryx · 31-05-2012 11:51am

Pool swim last night. Bit of a half hearted effort, because I had to drop my long swim set on account of the race on Saturday.

2 x 400, 300, 200, 100. With 100 either side to w/u and s/d.

Tried to concentrate on form, and get a steady strong rhythm going. I tend to shorten my stroke and speed it up when I lose concentration, and Ive realised that slowing it down and making it more effective tends to speed me up.

Missed my early run today because himself had to head out early. So that will have to be done later. Only planning an hour, again, the long run will be Saturday.

Dory Dory · 01-06-2012 7:26pm

I believe you have a race tomorrow - so best of luck to you. Get all the kinks worked out - this is a dress rehersal for 4 weeks from now!!!

griffin100 · 01-06-2012 8:46pm

Best of luck tomorrow, I'm expecting great things!!!!!!!

The Road Less Traveled: IM 2012

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