tunney ..... your now in the well

Abhainn

Ok I was going to throw Racing Flat down the well but then he’d only say I had a vendetta or something against him.
So I will leave that for someone else to do.
It’s time to change codes and focus on a tri athletic.
I did consider MCOS, but he’s keeping a great log and fair play getting great results in the duathlons
so we know a bit about you.
So tunney it’s your turn. You seem to be a devoted competitor and take the sport seriously.
A regular contributor to boards who writes what he thinks with no slobbering about it.
If I recall you had some good results in 2008 and presently in training for your first IM in July.

So over to you:

How long have you been in the sport?

Have you a target time you wish to disclose for IM?

What is your best result?

What is your strongest discipline of the 3?

How many hours will you peak in training for IM?

What gets me about tri athletes is that I get the impression (I may be wrong) that they think everything revolves around the bike section of the race.
Do you agree that the majority of the tri athletics spend too much time focusing on the bike and all the stuff that goes with it when they should spend more time training for the less cool parts - the swim and the run i.e. the harder bits?

TheRoadRunner

Great choice. I'm going to start with a cheeky one

McDonalds or Burger King ?

shels4ever

What got you into the sport , What is the biggest fault you can see in others in regards training ?

tunney

Abhainn wrote: »

How long have you been in the sport?

Since around October 2003. I had an old MTB I commuted to work on. In the course of a fortnight I snapped the seatpost, two sets of pedals and broke a wheel. I decided I needed a new bike so went into cycleways to get a new one. Saw this nice bike that said "Ironman" on it and had cool handlebars. I asked why it had funky handlebars. "For Triathlon". "Whats that?" I asked. Only changed it as my race bike last year. Couldn't actually swim at all at the time so that was an issue.

Abhainn wrote: »

Have you a target time you wish to disclose for IM?

To finish

Abhainn wrote: »

What is your best result?

4:11 half ironman probably.

Abhainn wrote: »

What is your strongest discipline of the 3?

I don't really have one. My bike and run are better than my swim though.

Abhainn wrote: »

How many hours will you peak in training for IM?

I logged about 25 hours last week. Would expect to log similar *maybe* up to 30 for one or two weeks in May/June.

Abhainn wrote: »

What gets me about tri athletes is that I get the impression (I may be wrong) that they think everything revolves around the bike section of the race.
Do you agree that the majority of the tri athletics spend too much time focusing on the bike and all the stuff that goes with it when they should spend more time training for the less cool parts - the swim and the run i.e. the harder bits?

Completely agree. Its all about the bike in Ireland. My coach knocked this out of me a few years ago. I had the fastest bike split in a race recently. After the race people were congratulating me on it as if I'd won the race

tunney

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

McDonalds or Burger King ?

Burger king, but the missus hates it so I rarely get to eat it.

shels4ever wrote: »

What got you into the sport?

Funky handlebars on a bike

shels4ever wrote: »

What is the biggest fault you can see in others in regards training ?

Impatience.
The body doesn't adapt to training loads simply because the mind wants it to. People should take their time, enjoy their training and racing and make a long term commitment to sport. Jumping in and trying to do an IM in their first year is not conducive to a long and healthy sporting life.

cfitz

Suppose you were going to focus on just running for a year. What distance(s) would you choose? Also, given that you are used to training for 25 hours per week, what do you think your schedule for a typical week might look like?

Racing Flat

How does run training for an ironman differ to that for a marathon?

tunney

cfitz wrote: »

Suppose you were going to focus on just running for a year. What distance(s) would you choose? Also, given that you are used to training for 25 hours per week, what do you think your schedule for a typical week might look like?

Emmmmmm good question.

10kms

Hard to say what the week would be. I'd have to research it more. Would probably run 6 days a week. With the 7th day being a swim/gym rest day. Would reckon I'd double up 3-4 of the days. Much more stretching and core work. I'd keep the long run 90-120 minutes, more track work.

Actually soudns like alot of fun.

TheRoadRunner

Have you ran a standalone marathon before ?

How did you learn to swim, initially did you go to lessons or teach yourself ?

You said swimming was your weakest leg of you 3 sports, are you trying to improve this and if so how ?

Is your OH into tri/running/cycling/swimming and if not does she think you are a head banger ?

In terms of enjoyment what has been your favourite race to date ?

How much would you be willing to invest in a bike and what sort of improvements would you hope to see ?

What will you eat during your IM ? I don't know much about the sport but I imagine it would be hard to ingest gels for 9 hours plus !

tunney

Racing Flat wrote: »

How does run training for an ironman differ to that for a marathon?

So far my run training has been pretty similar to when I trained for a marathon a few years back. I'm just doing the training more fatigued from the cycling and swimming. I'm about to start a run focus block of training so that might change a little.

Running Bing

Could you ever see yourself focusing exclusively on one of swimming, biking or running in the future?

If so which one and why?

Highway_To_Hell

I might be going out on a limb here and have 79 people disagreeing with me but I will ask it anyway.

I notice that you are not involved in the 1000 mile challenge but I am sure your mileage would have you in the top 10%, do you think the challenge promotes people to do junk training miles instead of focusing on a structured training program and mixing up interval/speed work with long runs?

shels4ever

How does you lifestyle differ now compared to before you started training. not just training related. Have you lost much weight in the time, Do your friends and family think you looked better before.

Bambaata

Does the other half get annoyed with the amount of time you spend training? If so, how do you deal with this!! If not, you're a lucky fella!!

tunney

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Have you ran a standalone marathon before ?

Once - ITB imploded at mile 20 @ 2:12. Walked the last 6.2 miles, stopped talked to friends, finished in 3:26

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

How did you learn to swim, initially did you go to lessons or teach yourself ?

Self thought for the first two years. Got to about 32 minute 1500m. Started working with a coach then. Down to 24 minutes last year. Will be significant gains this year.

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

You said swimming was your weakest leg of you 3 sports, are you trying to improve this and if so how ?

12-16km a week always thinking about my form and stroke. I work with my coach as often as possible and try to implement the changes he suggestes.

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Is your OH into tri/running/cycling/swimming and if not does she think you are a head banger ?

Nope - she does a little running, just recreational. She's done a few races - 5 milers up to halfs. Its been a slow and gradual thing getting into triathlon. She's picked up on it all over the years and probably could give very very good advice on training and racing as well as equipment. She's very good at advice for me too - in terms of rest, recovery, diet, attitude and just getting out the door. I don't think she, or I, see it as a head banger thing. Its just part and parcel of everyday life.

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

In terms of enjoyment what has been your favourite race to date ?

Lisbon HIM. Excellent race, great location, great value.

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

How much would you be willing to invest in a bike and what sort of improvements would you hope to see ?

Depends on the bike. I'd expect to see minimal improvements from the kit to be honest. Its all about the engine.

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

What will you eat during your IM ? I don't know much about the sport but I imagine it would be hard to ingest gels for 9 hours plus !

My nutrition plan isn't finalised but will be based mainly around gels, carb drink and a little solid food on the bike. Gels and carb on the run exclusively. Race day simulations will let me know what it should be properly.

tunney

Babybing wrote: »

Could you ever see yourself focusing exclusively on one of swimming, biking or running in the future?

If so which one and why?

Running. Definitely. I can see this happening.

I'll never be great at swimming and while I'm okay at the biking the hours required to be competitive are huge.

Running Bing

tunney wrote: »

Running. Definitely. I can see this happening.

I'll never be great at swimming and while I'm okay at the biking the hours required to be competitive are huge.

Two more Tunney:

Are you part of a tri club or is your coach like a personal trainer?


Also when doing a marathon people usually build up to a 20 mile run as a race day simulation....what will you race day simulation be like for the IM?

tunney

Highway_To_Hell wrote: »

I might be going out on a limb here and have 79 people disagreeing with me but I will ask it anyway.

I notice that you are not involved in the 1000 mile challenge but I am sure your mileage would have you in the top 10%, do you think the challenge promotes people to do junk training miles instead of focusing on a structured training program and mixing up interval/speed work with long runs?

Couple of reasons:
1) I can't affect the volumes I run. My coach does that.
2) Even if I wasn't coached I probably wouldn't get involved. What's the point in winning a virtual challenge and doing, as you say, junk miles at the expense of proper training. I'll do what I need to do and what I can do and no more.

tunney

shels4ever wrote: »

How does you lifestyle differ now compared to before you started training. not just training related. Have you lost much weight in the time, Do your friends and family think you looked better before.

Before training - got lifts to the bus stop and was 15 and a half stone.
After training - still hate walking to the bus stop but a tad lighter, 10 and a half stone at race weight (which I am not at at the minute, a few pounds over).

Sometimes my family and friends think I look sick but they've stopped saying it as they're aware that I believe in the below quote to a certain extent now

""The trick is to keep losing weight until your friends and family ask you if you've been sick. then you know you're within 10 pounds. if they start whispering to each other, wondering if you've got cancer or aids, you're within 5. when they actually do an intervention, you're at race weight""

Running Bing

tunney wrote: »

Before training - got lifts to the bus stop and was 15 and a half stone.
After training - still hate walking to the bus stop but a tad lighter, 10 and a half stone at race weight (which I am not at at the minute, a few pounds over).

Sometimes my family and friends think I look sick but they've stopped saying it as they're aware that I believe in the below quote to a certain extent now

""The trick is to keep losing weight until your friends and family ask you if you've been sick. then you know you're within 10 pounds. if they start whispering to each other, wondering if you've got cancer or aids, you're within 5. when they actually do an intervention, you're at race weight""

What height are you Tunney?

tunney

Bambaata wrote: »

Does the other half get annoyed with the amount of time you spend training? If so, how do you deal with this!! If not, you're a lucky fella!!

Mrs. Tunney does from time to time get annoyed at the training. However this is normally an excuse to get mad at me because I'm being a d!ck in some other way, i.e. not tidying up, not doing my fair share etc etc. Generally I try to structure my training so it has the least amount of impact on her.

I asked my coach once if I should get some new piece of kit, can remember what it was now, he told me not to spend the money on it, spend it on taking Mrs. Tunney out or the like. Some of the best advice I got

Sometimes if I think its required I'll blow off training. Priorities.

tunney

Babybing wrote: »

Two more Tunney:

Are you part of a tri club or is your coach like a personal trainer?


Also when doing a marathon people usually build up to a 20 mile run as a race day simulation....what will you race day simulation be like for the IM?

I was in Belpark for four years. I was a rather active member but then, as some may know, there was a rather spectatular and public split which saw most of the the more experienced members leave in one go and set up Phoenix tri club. Up until recently the group photo on the belpark was all phoenix members bar two people

So my club now is Phoenix, its loosely a club as we all have the same approach to the sport as myself, we train together when our sessions suit. Its basically a big group of friends whose common interest is triathlon.

tunney

Babybing wrote: »

What height are you Tunney?

5" 10

tunney

Babybing wrote: »

Two more Tunney:
Also when doing a marathon people usually build up to a 20 mile run as a race day simulation....what will you race day simulation be like for the IM?

I'll have done a good few 20 mile runs and covered the 180km bike a good few times. (Average ride is about 120km anyways). I swim 4km twice a week so I cover the distances, or close to, regularly. The race day simulation will probably be a half ironman distance thing at ironman pace while wearing full winter gear. (Heat simulation).

shels4ever

If you had never taken up triathlon what would you be doing now?

Running Bing

tunney wrote: »

I'll have done a good few 20 mile runs and covered the 180km bike a good few times. (Average ride is about 120km anyways). I swim 4km twice a week so I cover the distances, or close to, regularly. The race day simulation will probably be a half ironman distance thing at ironman pace while wearing full winter gear. (Heat simulation).

Interesting stuff.

Another Question, I remember once I went for a cycle instead of my usual run and I decided to get off the bike and run when I finished the cycle. The legs were like jelly and it felt weird.


How long does it take to get over that and do you ever get completely over it? I imagine after 180k on a bike no matter how well trained you are it takes a while to get into the rhythm of running.

tunney

shels4ever wrote: »

If you had never taken up triathlon what would you be doing now?

Probably playing World of Warcraft - I used to be a uber nerd.

tunney

Babybing wrote: »

Interesting stuff.

Another Question, I remember once I went for a cycle instead of my usual run and I decided to get off the bike and run when I finished the cycle. The legs were like jelly and it felt weird.


How long does it take to get over that and do you ever get completely over it? I imagine after 180k on a bike no matter how well trained you are it takes a while to get into the rhythm of running.

If you go too hard on the bike you'll never get over it.
If you pace the bike right you'll have it out of the legs in less than a km.

If you are properly trained and you pace the bike well your 10km time off the bike should be within a minute of your straight 10km time.

I've never tried running off the bike after 180km yet. I will do soon enough though.

donothoponpop

Alcohol: junk calories, a post race reward, or part of a balanced diet?

tunney

Abhainn wrote: »

What gets me about tri athletes is that I get the impression (I may be wrong) that they think everything revolves around the bike section of the race.
Do you agree that the majority of the tri athletics spend too much time focusing on the bike and all the stuff that goes with it when they should spend more time training for the less cool parts - the swim and the run i.e. the harder bits?

Just twigged the last bit here and something I wanted to clarify. The bike is just as hard as the swim and run. Also gains on the bike come at a much greater cost in time and effort than on the run, and in the pool. Countless hours are required in the saddle.

All are tough - but at the end of the day its the combination of them that is important not the performance in a single discipline.

tunney

donothoponpop wrote: »

Alcohol: junk calories, a post race reward, or part of a balanced diet?

Good quality alcohol - nice wines, whiskeys or Paulaner beer is all part of a balanced diet. Actually bought two bottles last night - might have one tonight!!

(but only in moderation and not if it affects your training (although sometimes its good just to get sloshed))

mloc123

Hey Tunney, couple of questions if you don't mind..

When did you do your first tri and were you just trying to finish or compete.

How do you split your training? I presume you do not train 7 days a week? Do you prefer mornings or evenings?

I know you have a Bowery(from the cycling forum thread), do you do alot of fixed wheel work and on the flat or hills?

--amadeus--

Been out of the office all day - just seeing this now. Good stuff actually.

A couple of questions if there is still time?

- On a scale of 1 to 10 how dedicated to your training do you consider yourself to be? If less than 10 what would you have to change to go the extra distance? How dedicated do you consider the average person on here?

- You have always seem very focussed and determined. Where do you draw the line in terms of training or performance enhancment? What wouldn't you do?

- Tell us your favourite joke

- IIRC you've had a fair amount of injury problems (ITB) how has that affected your outlook and what do you now do differently because of it?

- Whats more important, hard work or talent?

MCOS

Hey tunney

some savage stuff there 12-14k a week in the pool, average bike is 120k :eek: you are fast approaching HM's league! 32mins to 24mins for 1.5k well done on that improvement :eek: 4'11' for a half IM :eek:

What distance in your opinion for each discipline should you be able to cover in training to get you ready for a Sprint/Oly/half IM?
What was the last thing you went to see at the cinema and what did you think of it?
What is your goal for the North Tipp Sprint?
How are you currently feeling about the IM goal?
Cruelest thing you have ever done to a small animal?!
What motivates you?
You have extraordinary self discipline, what do you do to relax?
What is your Everest?
If you could be someone famous for a day, who would it be?
If you could be a boardsie for a day, who would it be?
Lots of questions, but I had to limit myself

rainbow kirby

tunney wrote: »

Probably playing World of Warcraft - I used to be a uber nerd.

I lol'd, I started running to get fit after I *stopped* playing World of Warcraft...

Serious question: What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen or done during a tri?

tunney

mloc123 wrote: »

Hey Tunney, couple of questions if you don't mind..

When did you do your first tri and were you just trying to finish or compete.

April 2004 - Abbotstown Sprint tri (now Fingal). Given I could only swim 40 metres at a time and its a 50 metre pool the goal was definitely just to finish.Didn't technically make the swim cut off but they let me continue.

mloc123 wrote: »

How do you split your training? I presume you do not train 7 days a week? Do you prefer mornings or evenings?

7 Days a week, morning and most evenings. This week looks like
Monday
AM Swim: 2.5km recovery swim
PM S&C

Tuesday
AM Swim: Long endurance swim
PM Run: Quality hour run, legs are still in ribbons from this

Wednesday
AM Run: Easy, about an hour
PM Bike: Two hour quality ride, this is going to rip the legs off me

Thursday:
AM Swim: Speed session, 3.5km
PM Run: Long run, 2:15 @ 4:45 min/km

Friday:
AM Swim: Strength session with some speed
AM S&C
PM Bike: Recovery ride

Saturday:
AM Run: Quality run session, lung and leg opener, about an hour
PM Bike: Three hour spin

Sunday:
AM Bike: Four hour hilly ride
PM Run: Recovery run

mloc123 wrote: »

I know you have a Bowery(from the cycling forum thread), do you do alot of fixed wheel work and on the flat or hills?

I commute on it and I'll do my recovery rides on it, other than that its the proper bikes.

buck65

Describe your daily food and drink intake please.

Funkyzeit

A top tip for Transitions?

Whats your favourite piece of gear/gadget ?

Any other sports you follow?

tunney

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Been out of the office all day - just seeing this now. Good stuff actually.

A couple of questions if there is still time?

Think there is.......

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- On a scale of 1 to 10 how dedicated to your training do you consider yourself to be? If less than 10 what would you have to change to go the extra distance? How dedicated do you consider the average person on here?

I'd be about a 7. I don't have the dedication to go to bed as early as I should. I often skip my core and flexibility sessions. There is always room for improvement.

Average poster? Between 2-4 with some notably exceptions.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- You have always seem very focussed and determined. Where do you draw the line in terms of training or performance enhancment? What wouldn't you do?

I wouldn't take a banned substance.
I wouldn't go full time.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- Tell us your favourite joke

NSFW

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- IIRC you've had a fair amount of injury problems (ITB) how has that affected your outlook and what do you now do differently because of it?

Its made me pay way more attention to form and technique and also equipment selection. I never run with music, I get regular massage and I'm learning to listen to my body.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- Whats more important, hard work or talent?

Talent. Hard work will only get you so far

tunney

MCOS wrote: »

Hey tunney

some savage stuff there 12-14k a week in the pool, average bike is 120k :eek: you are fast approaching HM's league! 32mins to 24mins for 1.5k well done on that improvement :eek: 4'11' for a half IM :eek:

Cheers - myself and HM do disagree on the whole approach to training and racing

MCOS wrote: »

What distance in your opinion for each discipline should you be able to cover in training to get you ready for a Sprint/Oly/half IM?

Depends on your goals, level of fitness and experience.
Assuming this is aimed at yourself so.....

Sprint:
Swim: 1500m
Bike: 50km
Run: 12km

Olympic:
Swim: 2500m
Bike: 100km
Run: 20km

HIM:
Swim: 3000m
Bike: 150km
Run: 35km

MCOS wrote: »

What was the last thing you went to see at the cinema and what did you think of it?

"He's just not that into you".
Absolutely brutal.

MCOS wrote: »

What is your goal for the North Tipp Sprint?

A quality speed session. I've been given a number of weekends to find races to do to fit in with the overall training plan. Other than Austria I have no goals.

MCOS wrote: »

How are you currently feeling about the IM goal?

I should be good to finish.

MCOS wrote: »

Cruelest thing you have ever done to a small animal?!

Nothing really, I'm generally nice to animals.

MCOS wrote: »

What motivates you?

Suppose just to see what I can get out of my body.

MCOS wrote: »

You have extraordinary self discipline, what do you do to relax?

Swimming, cycling and running Seriously - sport is a hobby, a pastime, something I enjoy.

Also read and films.

MCOS wrote: »

What is your Everest?

Emmmmm I'm going to say running a marathon, either straight or off the bike, my ITB is my problem.

MCOS wrote: »

If you could be someone famous for a day, who would it be?

Phelps - would love to know what proper swimming feels like.

MCOS wrote: »

If you could be a boardsie for a day, who would it be?

No idea

tunney

buck65 wrote: »

Describe your daily food and drink intake please.

Yesterday:

Brekkie:
* muesli

Snack:
* Brown bread

Lunch:
* Soup and brown bread

Snack:
* Fruit

Dinner:
* Pork chop
* Beans
* Potatos (yes paleo diet is out the window)

Two cups of coffee and plenty of water.

tunney

Funkyzeit wrote: »

A top tip for Transitions?

Practice. And elastic bands on the shoes

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Whats your favourite piece of gear/gadget ?

SRM power meter

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Any other sports you follow?

[/QUOTE]

GAA, hurling, soccer, Rugby

--amadeus--

Really interesting stuff. I'll be honest, I can't imagine doing that amount of training and still finding it fun - not letting it become a job if you like. And if Mrs T puts up with it then the occasional chick flick is a small price to pay!

How much difference does the coach make? Would you consider becoming a coach yourself?

tunney

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Really interesting stuff. I'll be honest, I can't imagine doing that amount of training and still finding it fun - not letting it become a job if you like. And if Mrs T puts up with it then the occasional chick flick is a small price to pay!

She's a great woman alright!

--amadeus-- wrote: »

How much difference does the coach make? Would you consider becoming a coach yourself?

A coach? Huge. I've a great relationship with my coach and I trust him completely. Absolutely huge- as long as you listen.

Yes I'd consider doing some coaching alright, was assisting on a trainign weekend for middle-long distance beginners this weekend. Was great fun and a real eye opener.

mloc123

Cheers for the reply, good luck in the IM. Will keep an eye out for you at the next wheelworx dualathon(if you are there).

Racing Flat

Does it annoy you, being dedicated to your training and perhaps somewhat of a perfectionist (which is a good thing for an athlete IMO), that after all the preparation and hard work, sacrifices etc. that someone could beat you in a race purely because they are faster at getting their socks on (you know what I mean:)) than you?

Bambaata

this may have been already asked. how many hours sleep do you get a night. Are you happy it's enough? And what time do you rise each morning?

tunney

Racing Flat wrote: »

Does it annoy you, being dedicated to your training and perhaps somewhat of a perfectionist (which is a good thing for an athlete IMO), that after all the preparation and hard work, sacrifices etc. that someone could beat you in a race purely because they are faster at getting their socks on (you know what I mean:)) than you?

Okay I'm going to read between the lines and assume that you are taking about people drafting and cheating.

Yes it annoys me. Alot. I have no problem being fairly and squarely better. Being beaten by cheats - yes that bothers me. Something I don't understand either - how can someone take a sense of pride in a race win after drafting for the bike leg and cutting the course? Thats not winning in my mind.

I'd love to say I'll not go back to races that aren't fair but as I've said already - I'll do the training and events that will allow me to race well in Austria.

tunney

Bambaata wrote: »

this may have been already asked. how many hours sleep do you get a night. Are you happy it's enough? And what time do you rise each morning?

I'd sleep for 10 if I could. As it is its abuot 7-8. Its not enough.

Getting up depends on training and work schedule. Sometimes 5am, although not that often, usually 6am and if its a recovery week, 8:40

Krusty_Clown

Thanks Tunney, it's been a fascinating read.
Do you think drafting should be allowed in the cycling stage?

How do you fit that much training into a week? Do you have a flexible job? Family? Lifestyle?

I understand that you train in blocks, to prepare for larger events, but do you have an off-season, where you just maintain a standard of fitness, or is it year round?

digitalage

Just read all your replies, fair play to you....you don't seem to be eating too much considering the amount of training you do and you say, your still a few pounds over race weight. Would you do a 24hr fast to drop a few pounds for race day, how do you shift the extra pounds? Who do you admire as a sports person?