Rocky Road to Rot(h)...

Izoard

Ingredients:

1 Aeging and weighty carcass
0 Interest in structured training
0 Bricks
4 Activity-heavy kids
1 Job that requires me to be in various 3rd world countries on an ongoing basis
1 uber cool other half
1 Boundless enthusiasm for swimming/biking/running

Objective:
Having been the ultimate proof that anyone can do an IM in 2010, I'm looking to repeat the goal in 2011 at Challenge Roth - Life gets busier, particularly at weekends, so I reckon this is my last attempt at the big one for some time.

IM CH was knocked out in 12:07, so I harbour secret ambitions to go sub 12, but I've a sneaking suspicion that I was on a "no-chain" day in Zurich, so might be hard to repeat.

Wish list Event Schedule:

April Conn Ultra
May Tri an Mhi HIM
June Wicklow200
July Challenge Roth
Sept Brittas Bay Oly
Sept Kenmare HIM
Oct DCM

Will be generally following Don Fink's Intermediate program sprinkled with regular stalking of mcos's log to see how it should be done for Roth.

How hard can it be, eh?

catweazle

Good man Izoard, an Ultra, an Ironman, a marathon, a 200k cycle, 2 Half Ironmans and an Olympic. You are taking it easy this year

pgibbo

Quite the wish list man. Best of luck with it. I reckon sub 12 in Roth is well within your grasp. Happy training.

shotgunmcos

Good Man, nice to have another logger with the same target event Yeah thats some schedule you have set for yourself, good one though as the events are spaced out enough. I'm assuming Roth is the A goal, minimum sub4sub12? No problem stalk my log all you want but I'm the rookie so It may be the other way around closer to the time. Might hook up for W200 and do it on TT rigs and pointy helmets

Best of luck with the Ultra. I've no doubt you will blast your IMCH time, but whats with the no bricks philosophy?

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

The 4 kids can be a juggle alright :rolleyes: I will be moving into that territory in the next few weeks all going well. I will also be doing the Wicklow 200, best of luck with the training.

Izoard

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Best of luck with the Ultra. I've no doubt you will blast your IMCH time, but whats with the no bricks philosophy?

Obviously bricks are an important part of the whole thing, but I absolutely hate doing them. Didn't do any last year and it worked out OK.

Another issue, is that they are politically a little tricky:D

For some reason the home tolerance for a 4 hour bike ride is far easier than a 3 hour bike ride followed by "I'm just heading out again for an hour run"

Izoard

1st HTFU Moment of 2011.

Heading into the RDS last night in the rain, the seat clamp snapped on the commute bike.

Interesting cycle home with no saddle with nice headwind, rain and sleet.

RedB

Izoard wrote: »

1st HTFU Moment of 2011.

Heading into the RDS last night in the rain, the seat clamp snapped on the commute bike.

Interesting cycle home with no saddle with nice headwind, rain and sleet.

Must have been a lot of carbo loading over Xmas . Thought it was too cold for the RDS. Could you not get into Kielys?

Best of luck with the training.

Izoard

RedB wrote: »

Must have been a lot of carbo loading over Xmas . Thought it was too cold for the RDS. Could you not get into Kielys?

Best of luck with the training.

Hadn't thought of that...here was I blaming shoddy Korean parts...:)

Obviously it was far too wet and cold to, like, actually watch the match?

Heard the result when a couple of Osprey supporters managed to blag their way into Kielys...shouldn't be allowed, really.

shotgunmcos

Izoard wrote: »

1st HTFU Moment of 2011.

Heading into the RDS last night in the rain, the seat clamp snapped on the commute bike.

Interesting cycle home with no saddle with nice headwind, rain and sleet.

Hmmm not sure if that qualifies as a HTFU moment. You were already cycling into that headwind, rain and sleet! Perhaps the HTFU moment was getting out in that weather in the first place

Izoard

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Hmmm not sure if that qualifies as a HTFU moment. You were already cycling into that headwind, rain and sleet! Perhaps the HTFU moment was getting out in that weather in the first place

Meh, it happened on the way in, so there was a strong temptation to stuff the bike in a taxi when I came out of the RDS, when the weather was even worse.

Very un-Leinster-like...

Abhainn

Nice one Izoard. Best of luck.

Izoard

First 2 weeks were on target time wise (8 & 10 hours respectively), but I see from the SCR Challenge, I'll be lucky to be in the mix with the HIM cats, never mind my fellow IM brothers.

Anyways, first road trip of the year coming up tomorrow, not quite 3rd world, but New Orleans has it's dark side:)
It is one of those US-kick off events, so long on talking shop over beers and not very conducive to training, so probably a blank week ahead.

Already way behind on the running in prep for Conn...must-not-wuss out-of-the-Ultra!

Izoard

Managed to get 6 treadmill sessions in while away - not bad considering the amount of alcohol consumed in the name of corporate bonding.

However, compared to the epic kick-offs in IONA's heyday, these are pretty sober affairs.

In return for "making the number" in 2010, myself and Mrs I. get to join my corporate brothers and sisters on an all-expenses-paid trip to the Dominican Republic - only down side is, it clashes with Connemara:( (also clashes with the Leinster Hc 1/4 final - seriously, do these organisers not check before scheduling events?:))

Not sure what to do on this one - kiddie logistics will mean that Mrs. I probably won't be able to go, but I probably should make the effort.
We'll see how this one turns out, but I'll be miffed if can't do Conn this year.

Anyways, signed up for the Tri an Mhi HIM - hope this is good - could be a great event in the calendar for those preping for a summer IM.

Seriously impressed with some of the output already on the S/C/R 2011 - need to start getting back on the turbo!

shotgunmcos

You could do a 63.3km trot in the D Rep before you unload the golf clubs (and the blazing hot sun arises) Have you done the Conn Ultra before?

Izoard

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Have you done the Conn Ultra before?

Hey mcos, I've done the full in Conn a few times, but first time for the ultra.
If it doesn't work out, I might turn my attentions to another full in the March/April time frame. Good psychological benefits for the IM, but as ever, not sure how useful it is as physical prep...

Izoard

I think Conn is out at this point, and the Kildare Marathon is on the day after Tri an Mhi HIM - now, I'm sure there are a couple of punters on here who'd say, "what's the problem"?, but I'll pass:)

So, against my better judgement, I've signed up for the Double Oly in Athy...(events in bold already entered)

April Conn Ultra
May Tri an Mhi HIM
June Tri Athy Double Oly
June Wicklow200
July Challenge Roth
Sept Brittas Bay Oly
Sept Kenmare HIM
Oct DCM

Izoard

Week 1: 8.5hrs
Week 2: 13hrs
Week 3: 4.5hrs
Week 4: 14.5hrs

Happy with that output so far.
I'm pushing the "up" weeks, to bank some time for the inevitable blank weeks, due to travel etc...

Definitely need to find the love for the turbo again though...:rolleyes:

griffin100

Revised event schedule...

I think Conn is out at this point, and the Kildare Marathon is on the day after Tri an Mhi HIM - now, I'm sure there are a couple of punters on here who'd say, "what's the problem"?, but I'll pass

So, against my better judgement, I've signed up for the Double Oly in Athy...(events in bold already entered)

April Conn Ultra
May Tri an Mhi HIM
June Tri Athy Double Oly
June Wicklow200
July Challenge Roth
Sept Brittas Bay Oly
Sept Kenmare HIM
Oct DCM

Sorry to hear about the Conn Ultra Iozard. I thought I was looking good for it as my run mileage is similar to yours on the ART challange but now I'm not so confident:)

Your predicted finish time for Roth is a bit pessimistic , no? especially considering the only uphill bit is the run from the swim to T1:D

Izoard

griffin100 wrote: »

Sorry to hear about the Conn Ultra Iozard. I thought I was looking good for it as my run mileage is similar to yours on the ART challange but now I'm not so confident:)

Your predicted finish time for Roth is a bit pessimistic , no? especially considering the only uphill bit is the run from the swim to T1:D

I'm running fairly regularly, but only 12-14km at a time, so not much help for Conn (either Ultra or marathon:))

As for predicting an IM time....IMHO, the single most important requirement on the day to deliver on your training, is having an Iron Stomach.
There were a number of 10.x potential guys in Zurich, who were hobbling in @ 14hrs+, as they struggled with various gastric related issues.

I'd be delighted with 11.x, but am very aware that it can easily turn into 14hrs, if the digestion is acting up...

griffin100

As for predicting an IM time....IMHO, the single most important requirement on the day to deliver on your training, is having an Iron Stomach.
There were a number of 10.x potential guys in Zurich, who were hobbling in @ 14hrs+, as they struggled with various gastric related issues.

I'd be delighted with 11.x, but am very aware that it can easily turn into 14hrs, if the digestion is acting up...

I agree......the smell of the IM marathon is something I'll never forget.....the smell of 1,000+ people who have being eating nothing but gels for 12 hrs....never gamble on the IM fart lottery....

Izoard

Was watching the Eamon Coughlan story on RTE Player...brought back a great memory of watching the Helsinki race live
Kind of the first time I witnessed an Irish person winning anything....up there with the "It's Stephen Roche!" finish on La Plagne.

Speaking of cycling, the full transcript of the Landis/Kimmage interview makes interesting reading - lots of grenades for US cycling to deal with.

Been spending a good bit of time in the pool of late...getting a better "feel" for the water, which is resulting in improved times across a range of distances.

Izoard

On the swimming front....anyone seen this? One way to smash a record - unbelievable!

shotgunmcos

Izoard wrote: »

On the swimming front....anyone seen this? One way to smash a record - unbelievable!

Gonna have to wait until I get home to access the link. Plenty of work going on in the pool alright. Did you make the call on Conn?

Izoard

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Gonna have to wait until I get home to access the link. Plenty of work going on in the pool alright. Did you make the call on Conn?

Worth a look if you have a chance - something to practice for the next swim session:)

Unfortunately Conn is off the list now - means that the 3 events pre-Roth are all on top of each other...

Izoard

Running through town at lunch wearing calf guards..plenty of commentary along the way - the joys of school half-day Wednesday!

You could see the non-runners thinking..."gimp!", while the runners were probably thinking "serious gimp!":)

I guess we all have to suffer for our A/R/T (ouch!)

Anyways, one of the more comfortable outdoor runs in a while...calf & achilles at correct operating temperature right from the start.

kingQuez

Izoard wrote: »

Running through town at lunch wearing calf guards..plenty of commentary along the way - the joys of school half-day Wednesday!

Must HTFU and wear my compression socks again; since reverting to shorts from running tights i havent had the balls to be seen with them on .. and thats at silly o clock in the morning

Izoard

kingQuez wrote: »

Must HTFU and wear my compression socks again; since reverting to shorts from running tights i havent had the balls to be seen with them on .. and thats at silly o clock in the morning

Starting to get calf cramps in the last 400mts of the pool swims at the moment.
Presumably down to poor hydration, but it could be just the excuse I need to don the compression socks in the pool:D

Combined with the obligatory IM swim cap, it will just scream tri-coolness...

Izoard

Cracking day for a run...have max 1hour while the eldest is at a tennis lesson and managed to hit 13km in 60mins -first time in many moons I've hit that mark...treadmills do have a benefit after all.

Izoard

Nice capture of the conversation involved in trying to wrap training around real life...

Krusty_Clown

Izoard wrote: »

Nice capture of the conversation involved in trying to wrap training around real life...

Brilliant article.. and so true!

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Izoard wrote: »

Nice capture of the conversation involved in trying to wrap training around real life...

Eerily accurate to the conversations i had with Mrs JB:)

Izoard

Just checking back on the distance totals when I joined the S/C/R challenge at the end of March 2010, versus numbers to date for 2011...

26/03/10
Swim 47,500m
Bike 1,529km
Run 383km

18/02/11
Swim 57,100 (120%)
Bike 639km (42%)
Run 304km (79%)

I knew I was doing OK on the swim/ run front, but looking at these figures, I was inclined to get my ar$e on the turbo for the first time in ages...I wasn't doing much on the bike last year either, so this was a wake up call.

Also helped that "The Pacific", arrived the other day...still tuning in after an episode and a half:)

catweazle

Izoard wrote: »

Also helped that "The Pacific", arrived the other day...still tuning in after an episode and a half:)

I didnt like the Pacific, quite disappointed with it. No characters really stood out for me in it and I love my war movies.

I was thinking you were flying in the swim front this year, all the hotels you are staying in for work must have pools

shotgunmcos

About 4 weeks in the difference between the dats of those stats too so you are not doing too bad.

Hey IIRC you, jackyback, griffin100, interested(?) and a few others all on 11-12 hour missions so get your weekly short summaries into the mentored thread and the sensei can advise without having to trawl through all of our logs

Izoard

catweazle wrote: »

I didnt like the Pacific, quite disappointed with it. No characters really stood out for me in it and I love my war movies.

I was thinking you were flying in the swim front this year, all the hotels you are staying in for work must have pools

Jaysus, I'm on very thin ice with the turbo and you pi$$ all over "The Pacific" already?:)

I'm still hooked, but the "macho commander who forms the foetal position at the first sign of the enemy" routine, was very Band-of-Brothers alright...

Haven't been on the road as much as normal, so have been putting the time in, in the pool, as it will drop off over the next few months.

Izoard

shotgunmcos wrote: »

About 4 weeks in the difference between the dats of those stats too so you are not doing too bad.

Hey IIRC you, jackyback, griffin100, interested(?) and a few others all on 11-12 hour missions so get your weekly short summaries into the mentored thread and the sensei can advise without having to trawl through all of our logs

Meh, the bike is off - no question...good kick in the ar$e though...

Re; the sub-10 thread, it seems there is a world of difference between sub-12 (my effort) and what yourself, jackyback and Tunney are knocking out.

I genuinely feel you guys are training for a different event, as there is a "breakpoint" between the blag approach -which might get you to sub 12, versus sub-10 which is a different gig altogether...

asimonov

There's almost a month between those two dates. Do you know how training hours compare? Also - have you watched "generation kill"?

Izoard

asimonov wrote: »

There's almost a month between those two dates. Do you know how training hours compare? Also - have you watched "generation kill"?

True..but whatever way you look at the bike numbers they are behind, and I've been @ home for a good chunk of the past 6 weeks, so no excuse.

GK looks good, but I'm a bit old skool - my war movies generally terminate around the Vietnam era...

Izoard

Heading on a road trip with the family to England (the glamour, eh?...) for the rest of the week, so unlikely to be any training going on there.

It is the start of a messy couple of weeks travel-wise, so more catch up to be done come mid-March....

Izoard

A brisk minus 15 degrees on the mean streets of Moscow, so no outside running...
Hit the treadmill with the mad idea of doing a half marathon - however multiple episodes of "The World's Strongest Man" had me bored rigid by 14km, so bailed at that point.

At least I know what sport to take up once I get too fat for triathlon:)

Izoard

Arrival of a new puppy yesterday, means I'm temporarily banned from the gym in the morning "in case I wake the dog"...:)

Good excuse to get out for a lunchtime run - 16km @ 4:50 pm - longest run in sometime.

Beautiful day for it, smell of fresh cut grass means spring is here and time to really start panicing!

Izoard

Big volume increase this week - mainly due to time available and growing worry about the lack of time on the bike.

Most of the extra bike work was turbo, but good to get a feel for the tri set up for an extended period.
Longest session was 2hr 10mins - not quite up there with the epic mcos rides, but was good to stay on the bars for long stretches.

With the weather geting better - time to get out and do the longer rides on the road.

Last 3 weeks:
4.65hrs
9.95hrs
19.45hrs

No adverse reaction to the extra work, although the needle on the weigh scales is remarkably static - must-try-harder!

Will try to do another big week, followed by a tail off, due to travel etc...

shotgunmcos

Good stuff! I hear ya on the static needle. Just when I lost a few lbs, some more magically appeared last week. I think it may have something to do with m stifling the sugar cravings with EVERYTHING IN SIGHT

Izoard

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Good stuff! I hear ya on the static needle. Just when I lost a few lbs, some more magically appeared last week. I think it may have something to do with m stifling the sugar cravings with EVERYTHING IN SIGHT

Yep..constant grazing at the kids treat box does it for me.

They get pretty tight rations but somehow we are always at emergency levels:)

I need my mother to move in and monitor my eating habits...

Macanri

Izoard wrote: »

Arrival of a new puppy yesterday, means I'm temporarily banned from the gym in the morning "in case I wake the dog"...:)

Beautiful day for it, smell of fresh cut grass means spring is here and time
to really start panicing!

Another man who has to tip toe out the door in the morning for fear of waking any sleepy heads. Good to see I'm not alone!

I got the grass cut on Sat - no need to panic:p

griffin100

No adverse reaction to the extra work, although the needle on the weigh scales is remarkably static - must-try-harder!

At this stage I' d take static over rising

Izoard

Just signing up for Olympics tickets - going to bring the kids over to see a few events.

Best news is, they only take Visa - looking forward to breaking the news to Mrs.I, that I'll be needing her card...:)

Izoard

griffin100 wrote: »

At this stage I' d take static over rising

For a downhill course like Roth, extra ballast might be a bonus...:)

Izoard

First brick in about 4 years...

Stuck in a Dubai hotel gym, so did 38km bike followed by 7km run.

Doesn't quite replicate the real world, but had a solid dose of jelly legs for the first 3 mins or so.

Still f*%king hate them though:)

Oryx

I just caught up with this now, I look forward to jealously watching you progress. How in god's name do you fit 19 hours into a working week?? Im glad Im not alone in the sneaking out of the house in the morning, tho in my case its not to wake the kids, who will want breakfast served and to describe in detail what they just dreamt of.....:)

And re the bricks, if you want to get away with it, load the bike in the car, drive to car park, cycle and run to your hearts content, then drive home via the shop for small placating gifts of chocolate. No going home in between. Works for me.