A long way down - IM South Africa 2013

Izoard

Been off the grid for a while, so time to get back in the saddle.

IM ZA - April 14 2013, with Donadea 50km as a warm up.

Actually, a bit of a relief to sign up for it - I know this will be my last for a while, as kids sport coaching has largely wiped out weekend training, so just looking to enjoy it.

For those that aren't familiar with my history, a re-cap...

Usual busy life...
4 kids
1 fantastic wife
1 job that has me on a plane to various 3rd world countries on an ongoing basis
2 dogs

Races:
3 Long Distance Tri (IMCH 2010 12.07, Roth 2011 11.30, Abu Dhabi LD 2012 9.30)
6 HIM
16 marathons (PB 3.26, back in '05)
2 Ultras

Similar to Abu Dhabi, pretty much all the bike training will be done on a turbo, so will be massively undercooked, but how hard can it be, eh?:)

catweazle

Ah splendid negotiations as always Izoard

griffin100

****e, I'd better get my arse in gear for 2013

Best of luck with this Fergal, a nice short lead in time!!

pgibbo

Fair play. I don't know how you manage it with such a busy schedule but kudos!!! :cool:

Kurt Godel

Looking forward to this log, your logs are always a decent read. I'll be fighting you for the wooden spoon in Donadea 50k.

Izoard

Kurt Godel wrote: »

Looking forward to this log, your logs are always a decent read. I'll be fighting you for the wooden spoon in Donadea 50k.

Ahh, there will be plenty behind us - I'm undefeated over 50km vs RQ for starters..:)

Izoard

Nothing like the rising panic of signing up for an event, to get your ar$e in gear...

First real outing in the runners since DCM, a nice 17km @ 5.10 pace - still upright, so all is well.

RacoonQueen

Izoard wrote: »

Ahh, there will be plenty behind us - I'm undefeated over 50km vs RQ for starters..:)

Oh fighting talk. Anto, I need an entry.

You know I faked those stomach cramps to give you a chance old man.

Izoard

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Oh fighting talk. Anto, I need an entry.

You know I faked those stomach cramps to give you a chance old man.

When you are explaining, you are loosing.

Anto, do the right thing and give her an entry....

RacoonQueen

Jaysus, sounds like a smackdown. You'll have to nab me an entry now and then let your legs do the talking!

handangeo

Got permission again I see to go long!!

Dory Dory

I missed any mention of your epic jump roping in that opening post. ;)

shotgunmcos

Cool. Good to have you back. I'll follow with interest. See you at Donadea

Izoard

Dory Dory wrote: »

I missed any mention of your epic jump roping in that opening post. ;)

Ehh, yeah - I went off the reservation when yourself and Oryx were handing out painful challenges.

In fairness, I did try the skipping, but the relentless mocking from the small people, eventually took it's toll.

As for Oryx's core stuff - I got a stomach muscle cramp after about 2 minutes, that is still easing out.

I'm too old for this stuff....

Izoard

So, we went down to the National Guide Dog Centre in Cork during the week to say goodbye to our original foster puppy before she was matched up with a blind person.

Turns out, with only a week left on her training, she suffered a major auto-immune virus, and so had to be taken out of the programme.

With a car full of caring females, there was only 1 outcome, so we ended coming back to Dublin with 2 dogs (one being our current foster puppy).

So, I headed to Bushy Park this morning with 2 hyper lab-retrievers, but we all survived a 9km run along the trails, including a brief swim in the Dodder (I opted out of that portion...although I probably should have jumped in - no doubt it was the next torture challenge from either Dory or Oryx...).

Was never a fan of running with dogs, but I'm slowly coming around...

Dory Dory

Izoard!!! You train guide dogs??? Seriously impressed with that. Over the years, we have taken care of many guide dogs in training (hubby is a vet) and all I can say is it takes a very unselfish person/family to commit so much time (I think 2 years?) and so much discipline and so much love with the understanding that when it's time, you have to let that bundle of fur go. You rock in my world.

Izoard

Dory Dory wrote: »

Izoard!!! You train guide dogs??? Seriously impressed with that. Over the years, we have taken care of many guide dogs in training (hubby is a vet) and all I can say is it takes a very unselfish person/family to commit so much time (I think 2 years?) and so much discipline and so much love with the understanding that when it's time, you have to let that bundle of fur go. You rock in my world.

Thanks for the beatification, Dory...:)

We were lucky that puppy #2 arrived before puppy #1 headed off to her planned working life, so the kids got a shiny new puppy and easily "forgot" about the other dog on the way out.

The fickleness of kids, eh?

Izoard

Haven't refreshed my pool times for various distances in a long time, so decided that 22m30 for 1km (:eek:) set back in '08 looked particularly soft:)

Sure enough, lowered this down to 20m 08, despite the appearance of a breast-stroker in the lane, midway through the test - definitely cost me the 8 seconds, though!

Plenty more ridiculously poor TT times to amend over the coming weeks...

RacoonQueen

*NOTE TO SELF: Do a sub 20 1k time trial...*

Izoard

RacoonQueen wrote: »

*NOTE TO SELF: Do a sub 20 1k time trial...*

You were probably that breast-stroker, messing up my TT...

Izoard

400m TT today, to set some realistic set times - 7m 33s.

Feeling good about that until I stumbled into mcos' marathon training log - 4 x 400m off 7min, in the middle of a larger set, ranging from 6.30-6.42...:eek:

Kurt Godel

Izoard wrote: »

400m TT today, to set some realistic set times - 7m 33s.

Feeling good about that until I stumbled into mcos' marathon training log - 4 x 400m off 7min, in the middle of a larger set, ranging from 6.30-6.42...:eek:

Yeah he'd disgust you all right with those times. Think of them as targets. 7:33 isn't too bad a yardstick to build on.

Izoard

Kurt Godel wrote: »

Yeah he'd disgust you all right with those times. Think of them as targets. 7:33 isn't too bad a yardstick to build on.

In a further 2-fingered salute to us mere mortals, I see he's since dropped those times to 6.06-6.12 for 4 x 400m...

Kurt Godel

Izoard wrote: »

In a further 2-fingered salute to us mere mortals, I see he's since dropped those times to 6.06-6.12 for 4 x 400m...

The benefits of training with a faster group. Unbelievable progress. Do you swim alone Izoard?

Izoard

Kurt Godel wrote: »

The benefits of training with a faster group. Unbelievable progress. Do you swim alone Izoard?

Current lifestyle means that all training is alone:( - once this IM project is out of the way, I look forward to re-engaging with society via a more inclusive pursuit!

Izoard

A forced, 2-week hiatus from the pool, means that I can avoid the runners no longer - although nothing like the fear of a 50k'er in Feb to start to focus the mind.

Will look to start the long runs next week, but the 17km today was a reasonable effort.

ultraman1

Izoard wrote: »

When you are explaining, you are loosing.

Anto, do the right thing and give her an entry....

even if she pays the 200quid late entry fee,she would have to go sub 3 to beat you with the IAU age grading criteria,,and her recent 17 minute 4k wouldnt even get her in before the 5hr cut off:p

Izoard

Managed to round out 2012 averaging 10 hours per week training (including commuting).

This wasn't too bad, given I sat around and drank beer most of the "summer", but it is indicative of the time available to me these days...

The last 10 days of 2012, turned out to be the busiest, work-wise so that put a serious dent in Christmas - good news, is that I managed to avoid the extra half stone I usually collect around this time, bad news was that my sneaky plan to creep up the 2012 SBR, with a monster final week, came to nothing.

Anyways, Donadea is coming up fast - I'll be nervously looking at the start list to see if anyone will be challenging Kurt and myself for the "lantern rouge".

Kurt Godel

Izoard wrote: »

Anyways, Donadea is coming up fast - I'll be nervously looking at the start list to see if anyone will be challenging Kurt and myself for the "lantern rouge".

Sorry Izoard, but I'm looking at my training schedule and I can't see any reason to fit an ultra distance in. If I'm there at all I'll be cycling behind you with a sweeping brush shouting "Dépêchez-vous garçon graisse!"

Izoard

Kurt Godel wrote: »

Sorry Izoard, but I'm looking at my training schedule and I can't see any reason to fit an ultra distance in. If I'm there at all I'll be cycling behind you with a sweeping brush shouting "Dépêchez-vous garçon graisse!"

Insults alway sound better in French...

For a man who dropped into DCM 24 hours bfore the start, I think you are now applying too much logic and reason to your training schedule:)

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Izoard wrote: »

Insults alway sound better in French...

For a man who dropped into DCM 24 hours bfore the start, I think you are now applying too much logic and reason to your training schedule:)

He went with a 3 week training plan for DCM surely 4 weeks would work for Donadea. He still has that previous 3 week training block in the legs....the stamina will still be there:D

Izoard

Elaina Early Comedian wrote: »

He went with a 3 week training plan for DCM surely 4 weeks would work for Donadea. He still has that previous 3 week training block in the legs....the stamina will still be there:D

Looks remarkably similar to my strategy for Donadea!

Izoard

2hr 54 turbo - was just so happy to finish the crap movie, that I hopped off before the planned 3 hours.

I'm hoping to get out for 2-3 longish cycles before the IM in April, but based on Abu Dhabi last year, I should be able to get away with consistent long-ish turbos.

If I can get out for a 2hr run in the morning, I'll be happy with the start to Jan.

shotgunmcos

Izoard wrote: »

If I can get out for a 2hr run in the morning, I'll be happy with the start to Jan.

Exactly my thinking too! See you at Donadea

Izoard

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Exactly my thinking too! See you at Donadea

For sure - you have a time in mind for Donadea? I know you mentioned in your log, it was "just to finish", but we all know you better than that:)

Izoard

So, the youngest has had a spectacular 60-a-day cough that has kept us up the past couple of nights, but he casually wanders into the bedroom this am, announcing that he has made a Lazarus-like recovery and is indeed fit to attend rugby training this morning.

So, instead of a leisurely 2hr+ run this am, it was a sprint out the door and a high tempo 90 mins, immediately followed by a chaotic coaching session with the u7s, who had been on lock down for the past 2 weeks.

Moral of the story - get up at 6am and do the run as planned...

shotgunmcos

Izoard wrote: »

Moral of the story - get up at 6am and do the run as planned...

Exactly my thinking too, again! Didn't get my lazy ass up missed my window this morning so it was a Sunday evening one for me. My least favourite time of the week to run.

Re: Donadea - extended long run. Few bodies gathering for a 4 hour run, may be in that camp

Izoard

First swim of the year - easy 3km.

You can tell it is early Jan, the pool was packed!

Izoard

Heading to San Francisco for 9 days on a work trip - training will be limited to the treadmill and hopefully a couple of outdoor runs.

Strangely, time spent at the bar is inversely proportional to time spent running...:)

Izoard

Some solid diligence so far... 2 x 13km runs along the waterfront.

Always a nice, local feel to this city...

Izoard

Good plans to do an LSR this morning, but a ridiculous route home from SF, due to mechanicals, bad weather etc.., meant I was just glad to get 50 mins running with the dogs in Bushy Park this morning.

It was interesting being over there for the Lance/Oprah sessions - the main stream US press have gone to town on him, despite being his biggest cheerleaders.

No one more pi$$ed off, than his biggest fan-boy, Rick Reilly @ ESPN...

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/8852974/lance-armstrong-history-lying

Izoard

Very little swimming year-to-date, so set myself a goal of maximum distance in 90mins, to see where I'm at.

4.1km, with just a couple of very short breaks...pretty close to my IM race pace, so not all bad.

Izoard

It has been so long since I've gone for an early morning swim, they've an entirely new access system in the gym.

All the better for the first appearance in 6 months or so, although still plenty of octogenarian breast-strokers in the wrong lanes, giving a welcome slalom element to the swim....

Kurt Godel

Izoard wrote: »

It has been so long since I've gone for an early morning swim, they've an entirely new access system in the gym.

All the better for the first appearance in 6 months or so, although still plenty of octogenarian breast-strokers in the wrong lanes, giving a welcome slalom element to the swim....

Fair play to your cheery outlook Izoard, the glass is always half full with you. I know I'd have described this phenomenon differently

Izoard

Kurt Godel wrote: »

Fair play to your cheery outlook Izoard, the glass is always half full with you. I know I'd have described this phenomenon differently

The way I look at it, any chance to do a S/B/R session, is a good thing...it is meant to be an enjoyable way to stop me from getting fat(ter)...:)

Having said that, I'll be gutted if I don't win Male AG 40-44 for left-handers from Rathfarnham @ IM ZA.

Anyways, I enjoyed the swim so much this am, I gladly bailed on my lunchtime run in favour of another dip in the pool. Only this time, I was probably the oldest in a pool-full of students...

griffin100

Izoard wrote: »

Anyways, I enjoyed the swim so much this am, I gladly bailed on my lunchtime run in favour of another dip in the pool. Only this time, I was probably the oldest in a pool-full of students...

You need to do a session in the UCD pool where you can observe the mating ritual of the species known as the GAA short wearing hairy backed jacuzzi loving male and his indifferent female object of desire. It's quite a sight to see a jacuzzi full of scantly clad female students being displayed to by lads with no chance of ever scoring Makes you feel old.

Izoard

griffin100 wrote: »

You need to do a session in the UCD pool where you can observe the mating ritual of the species known as the GAA short wearing hairy backed jacuzzi loving male and his indifferent female object of desire. It's quite a sight to see a jacuzzi full of scantly clad female students being displayed to by lads with no chance of ever scoring Makes you feel old.

Better class of punter in Trinity - straight out of an A&F ad....

BTH

Izoard wrote: »

It has been so long since I've gone for an early morning swim, they've an entirely new access system in the gym.

All the better for the first appearance in 6 months or so, although still plenty of octogenarian breast-strokers in the wrong lanes, giving a welcome slalom element to the swim....

In trinity, yesterday morning?? What lane were you in?

Izoard

BTH wrote: »

In trinity, yesterday morning?? What lane were you in?

Not quite - Carlisle with the grannies in the morning, while the Trinity experience was in the afternoon...

Izoard

The texts were flying in yesterday - GAA, rugby and football all cancelled - excellent...no need to get up at silly o'clock for my run this am.

Too good to be true - the killer blow..
"Great, you'll be able to come to the girls Communion prep mass at 9.15, so..."
Damn you pesky kids...

Up at 6am, running gear on, open the door, lashing rain.
Didn't fancy that, so switched into turbo gear and heading out to the cave.
TT bike had a puncture.
I think the IM/Ultra gods were sending me a clear message - HTFU and go out and run.

24 km in 2hr 5mins - longest run since DCM.

Mass awaits...

handangeo

Izoard wrote: »

The texts were flying in yesterday - GAA, rugby and football all cancelled - excellent...no need to get up at silly o'clock for my run this am.

Too good to be true - the killer blow..
"Great, you'll be able to come to the girls Communion prep mass at 9.15, so..."
Damn you pesky kids...

Up at 6am, running gear on, open the door, lashing rain.
Didn't fancy that, so switched into turbo gear and heading out to the cave.
TT bike had a puncture.
I think the IM/Ultra gods were sending me a clear message - HTFU and go out and run.

24 km in 2hr 5mins - longest run since DCM.

Mass awaits...

.............Your a sucker for punishment!