Hunnymonster, you're in the well........

thirtyfoot · 12-02-2009 11:29PM #1

First off, you said you did 100m when younger, do you still have a withering kick at the end of an endurance race?

--amadeus-- · 12-02-2009 11:36PM

Ooooo, good choice...

Sadly I won't be online much tomorrow so will miss most of the fun...

- How many hours a week do you train?
- Could you define the word "Rest", esp as it relates to your training schedule?
- For the novices could you explain the 4th Triathlon discipline

- Strongest discipline?
- Strongest event?
- Any athletic regrets?
- Any athletic goals left to reach?

Odysseus · 12-02-2009 11:40PM

Good choice Tingle, HM you are a bit of an endurance monster so:

When you have a sh!t day out, how do you feel about it?
I can't imagine you struggling, but if you do what goes through you mind?
What attracts you to endurance events?
What is the ultimate race you would like to undertake?

Woddle · 13-02-2009 08:13AM

Have you made any money from your performances, such as first woman home last week ?
Have you any plans to specialise in the marathon ?
Does Mr Hunnymonster have to hold you back and stop you from trying to do everything?

BeepBeep67 · 13-02-2009 08:15AM

Preferred time of the day to run?
Pre race meal / snack?
What's your 'super food'?
What motivates you?

shels4ever · 13-02-2009 08:35AM

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Preferred time of the day to run?
Pre race meal / snack?
What's your 'super food'?
What motivates you?

Do you ever think to your safe during a race "Why am i doing this" and what do you tell yourself then?

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 09:06AM

Tingle wrote: »

First off, you said you did 100m when younger, do you still have a withering kick at the end of an endurance race?

yes but probably because I'm not trying hard enough during the mid section of the race and I can't maintain it for longer than about 200m.

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 09:20AM

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- How many hours a week do you train?

It can be anything from 4-5 up to about 30 depending on what is coming up. Typically for the big weeks leading up to an ironman I could be
swimming 6 hours
running 7 hours (with long run 3-3.5)
cycling 15 hours
weights and core 2 hours
When I'm doing that much every other waking hour appears to be spent washing kit, cleaning bikes, eating or sleeping.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- Could you define the word "Rest", esp as it relates to your training schedule?

mmm, I'm not great at this one. I take at least one day easy per week but would probably still swim or do yoga or something on that day just no impact sport. Last year when reading Tara Nolan's ironman blog, She said her coach lets her have 2 "get out of jail free" cards in a training cycle where she can chuck a planned session with no regrets and I thought that was a great idea. About once a month or 6 weeks I'll have a completely lazy day where I barely move from the couch and tv for a whole day.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- For the novices could you explain the 4th Triathlon discipline

Wash your mouth out young man..... What amadeus is refering to here, is a training camp Zupylurk and I went on just after we signed up for our first ironman. We met a lot of experienced athlete's there and were having dinner with a couple of US marines one night when they started talking about the 4th triathlon discipline. No not the traditional one (nutrition) but they suggested to be a proper ironman you have to be able to go home and give your partner "special hugs" (or whatever it's polite to call sex these days).

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- Strongest discipline?

I guess I'm a runner at heart and I seem to do better the longer the distance.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- Strongest event?

On paper, nationally at least, it would be ironman but I think that reflects the poor showing of irish women at the event rather than any strenght of mine, I've not really done enough ultra running yet but I think that is where I might be best.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- Any athletic regrets?

lots but mainly wasting my 20's to a disease I could have controlled.

--amadeus-- wrote: »

- Any athletic goals left to reach?

zillions: sub 10 ironman, sub 3 marathon, be the first to do something....

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 09:29AM

Odysseus wrote: »

When you have a sh!t day out, how do you feel about it?

I'm very lucky and relatively unaffected by it. I always have low expectations so most outcomes are good. I'm not sure how I would manage a dnf though, hopefully it will be a while before I have to face that one.

Odysseus wrote: »

I can't imagine you struggling, but if you do what goes through you mind?

I just concentrate on how much is left to do. Counting down gets me there.

Odysseus wrote: »

What attracts you to endurance events?

I did the Dublin marathon in 2004 because it was on that list everyone has in their head (write a book, run a marathon, save the world....). I have an uncle who has run hundreds of marathons and ultramarathons so I guess I grew up with an awareness of the event. I was completely undertrained for Dublin 04 but did ok. Once the never again feeling wore off, I spoke to my uncle who told me I would only have to run 10 mintues faster to qualify for Boston, something he seemed to rate as an achievement do I signed up for Seville, qualified and ran boston. I fitted a few more races in that year and Dublin 05 was my 8th marathon.
I had no interest in moving up the distance but Zuppylurk had run the inaugral connemarathon ultra in 6 hours and I reckoned I could beat that so I headed to Connemara as a first ultra. Enjoyed that and the rest is history.

Odysseus wrote: »

What is the ultimate race you would like to undertake?

oooh, I don't think I have an ultimate race, they are all special. The indoultra and primal quest are both looking good at the moment. If I can find a really long race that has a 5* hotel each night then I really will be in heaven. I don't mind getting mucky during the day but would like to be able to sleep in a real bed. The triple ironman in virginia is also on the cards and maybe a deca at some stage.

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 09:32AM

Woddle wrote: »

Have you made any money from your performances, such as first woman home last week ?

Enough for dinner after the race a couple of times, nothing significant

Woddle wrote: »

Have you any plans to specialise in the marathon ?

no, but I do want to devote about 6 months to the marathon either late this year or early next year. I would like to see if I can run a fast one before I get too old.

Woddle wrote: »

Does Mr Hunnymonster have to hold you back and stop you from trying to do everything?

He might come along and give a more objective answer but he does frequently suggest I try to decide what I want to be, a runner or triathlete. I sign up for things based on my perception of how much fun I can have, not sensible reasons.

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 09:37AM

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Preferred time of the day to run?

Depends on the run, morning for long slow stuff but has to be at least lunchtime before anything intensive. Funnily enough, I can bike hard at anytime of day.

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Pre race meal / snack?

porridge 3 hours before, simple carbs up to an hour before, then just sips of water.

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

What's your 'super food'?

don't have one but anyone chicken broth at the later stages of a long race is divine!

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

What motivates you?

A couple of things, a competitive spirit I guess, anger at the time I wasted to anorexia nervosa, but mostly, because my dad would have gotten such a kick out of this. He was an athletics fan all his life and would have gotten such a kick out of his daughter winning races if he was still alive. Sentimental, I know.

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 09:38AM

shels4ever wrote: »

Do you ever think to your safe during a race "Why am i doing this" and what do you tell yourself then?

yeah, but I jsut start counting down to the finish line and working out when I will get there based on current pace.

tunney · 13-02-2009 09:41AM

hunnymonster wrote: »

It can be anything from 4-5 up to about 30 depending on what is coming up. Typically for the big weeks leading up to an ironman I could be
swimming 6 hours
running 7 hours (with long run 3-3.5)
cycling 15 hours
weights and core 2 hours
When I'm doing that much every other waking hour appears to be spent washing kit, cleaning bikes, eating or sleeping.

mmm, I'm not great at this one. I take at least one day easy per week but would probably still swim or do yoga or something on that day just no impact sport. Last year when reading Tara Nolan's ironman blog, She said her coach lets her have 2 "get out of jail free" cards in a training cycle where she can chuck a planned session with no regrets and I thought that was a great idea. About once a month or 6 weeks I'll have a completely lazy day where I barely move from the couch and tv for a whole day.

Wash your mouth out young man..... What amadeus is refering to here, is a training camp Zupylurk and I went on just after we signed up for our first ironman. We met a lot of experienced athlete's there and were having dinner with a couple of US marines one night when they started talking about the 4th triathlon discipline. No not the traditional one (nutrition) but they suggested to be a proper ironman you have to be able to go home and give your partner "special hugs" (or whatever it's polite to call sex these days).

OT: But this is a fantastic indicator of over-training. Losing your sex drive is one of the first signs of overtraining, the sooner you catch overtraining the easier it is to deal with.

tunney · 13-02-2009 09:43AM

What are you PBs at:

* 100m swim
* 1500m Swim
* 5km run
* 10km run
* Half marathon
* Marathon
* Half ironman
* Ironman

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 09:44AM

eh? What is a classic indicator of over training? washing dirty kit?:rolleyes:

I've not done most of the events listed, IM PB is 10:48, marathon you already know and my reasons for not posting it on internet.

MCOS · 13-02-2009 10:07AM

Who do you admire and what is it about them that gets you?
What does your demon say to you and how do you overcome it?
How do you like your eggs?
Pet hates?
Would you settle for anything less than #1 on the 1000mile challenge?!

Funkyzeit · 13-02-2009 10:10AM

Weakest Discipline and steps taken to address it ?

Would you consider doing the Channel Swim like your OH?

What brand bike are you pedalling?

1 piece of advice to aspiring Tri Heads on here - what would it be ?!

Peckham · 13-02-2009 10:10AM

- Which is more important for you:
1) Finishing position in a race
2) PB (regardless of position)
3) Completing longer, more extreme events
(...and does this differ by event?)

- How much of your year is generally spent on race-specific training rather than base building or just keeping things ticking over?

- How many race goals are you working on at one time (i.e. presumably most of your focus is on MdS at the moment, but are you already looking beyond that in terms of actual training patterns)

- What are your goals for MdS?

- Have you introduced any extreme racing theme to your wedding?!

cfitz · 13-02-2009 10:15AM

During the tough stages of your boyfriend's swim across across the English Channel when he was getting all grumpy, did it, even for a second, cross your mind to just sail away?

Krusty_Clown · 13-02-2009 10:19AM

You mentioned the poor standard of Irish females in the Ironman event. How do you shape up against the international field? Is there a world ranking, and where would you be, if there is/was?

What is your favourite post-training unhealthy indulgence?

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 10:22AM

These are tough ones MCOS

MCOS wrote: »

Who do you admire and what is it about them that gets you?

Mostly family and friends but no point talking about them here as none of you know them. In the public eye people like Jane Tomlinson, who achieved amazing things despite being terminally ill (she died in 2007). Boardsies who I particularly admire include Amadeus (intelligent, consistent, hard working and fun!), Odysseus (you've never heard him say a bad word no matter what **** life throws at him), G'em (again for intelligence and hard work).

MCOS wrote: »

What does your demon say to you and how do you overcome it?

not sure I have too many demons at the moment

MCOS wrote: »

How do you like your eggs?

poached but it's an art. An omlette will do though :-)

MCOS wrote: »

Pet hates?

people who think they are great (even if they are)
mess around the house
rudeness
negativity just for the sake of it

MCOS wrote: »

Would you settle for anything less than #1 on the 1000mile challenge?!

yes, without a blink, but I won't settle for not doing my best to be #1.

Peckham · 13-02-2009 10:25AM

hunnymonster wrote: »

Pet hates:
mess around the house

How do you avoid this with your training schedule?! I struggle with housework on my measly (relative to you) 5-7 hours training per week.

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 10:28AM

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Weakest Discipline and steps taken to address it ?

Swimming by a long shot. I've had lessons from one of the best coaches in the country but I'm making limited progress. It's very frustrating, particularly as I watch MCOS improving so quickly.

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Would you consider doing the Channel Swim like your OH?

No, for a number of reasons
- that was his event, his glory
- the hypothermia, I hate being cold, reminds me of being sick
- the training: I train alone mostly but for OW swims you need to swim with other people, having to arrange the safety cover and commit to specific training times would be tough for me.

Funkyzeit wrote: »

What brand bike are you pedalling?

Specialized ruby and a hack for getting around. I like the Ruby but if the lotto gods ever look my way I'll get a bling TT

Funkyzeit wrote: »

1 piece of advice to aspiring Tri Heads on here - what would it be ?!

enjoy it... too many miserable triathletes out there. For practical advice, I would say, get advice from someone experienced, an objective outsider can tell you what you need to prioritise.

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 10:37AM

Peckham wrote: »

- Which is more important for you:
1) Finishing position in a race
2) PB (regardless of position)
3) Completing longer, more extreme events
(...and does this differ by event?)

It varies but probably (2) for triathlon, (3) for running

Peckham wrote: »

- How much of your year is generally spent on race-specific training rather than base building or just keeping things ticking over?

I'm rarely ticking over. My routine is generally main focus on the next event, a little bit of the other disciplines so as not to lose touch and then recovery after a race.

Peckham wrote: »

- How many race goals are you working on at one time (i.e. presumably most of your focus is on MdS at the moment, but are you already looking beyond that in terms of actual training patterns)

Yes, at the moment I'm mostly running and trying to do a lot of this with a backpack and off road but I'm still swimming a couple of times a week and turbo'ing. My swimming is bad so if I don't keep getting in the water, I quickly lose the feel for the stroke. The bike sessions are really just so that it doesn't come as a complete shock when I start back. I've entered both Ironman Germany and Ironman Switzerland in July. The plan is to concentrate on IMDE and if I feel ok the following week do IMCH but only for fun. By the time I get home from MDS and have a short break, it will be cutting it tight for IMDE so I don't think it will be a year for PB's. I'm going to have a proper break after the ironmen and I've been thinking of marathon training in the autumn winter but that is not yet fixed in stone.

Peckham wrote: »

- What are your goals for MdS?

to finish, to enjoy it, to not hurt too bad afterwards.

Peckham wrote: »

- Have you introduced any extreme racing theme to your wedding?!

no, but I would like to have it somewhere and when there is an event on. Many people coming to the wedding will be athletes and travelling for it so I would like them to be able to kill 2 birds with one stone if possible.

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 10:39AM

Peckham wrote: »

How do you avoid this with your training schedule?! I struggle with housework on my measly (relative to you) 5-7 hours training per week.

lol, it was never a problem when I lived n my own

toggle · 13-02-2009 10:43AM

HM: Where have you competed for Ironman? Which one was your favourite? Any location that you would like to compete at in the future?

TheRoadRunner · 13-02-2009 10:46AM

Some great questions and answers Hunnymonster. I'm absolutely amazed at the amount of time you put into training. Really is amazing, I don't know how you find the energy, which leads to my questions.

1) Have you taken a prolonged break (over 2 weeks) from training in the last few years ? And if not how do you keep going ?
2) Do you ever get so exhausted that you can't get out of the bed in the morning ?
3) What other sports would do in the morning if you were told you couldn't continue training and competing at your current events
4) have you ever thought about changing your Boards handle from Hunnymonster to Duracell Bunny

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 10:48AM

toggle wrote: »

HM: Where have you competed for Ironman? Which one was your favourite? Any location that you would like to compete at in the future?

Germany, Florida (x2), Roth. Spectator in Nice and have done the course in Lanzarote but not during IM time. I guess I'll do Austria at some stage because it's fast. We've had great holidays in Florida but the race itself is a bit meh. The organisation is faultless in both Frankfurt and Roth. Norseman appeals also.

shels4ever · 13-02-2009 10:51AM

Were you there when the walkers started @ the Art O'Neill Challenge‎?

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 10:54AM

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

1) Have you taken a prolonged break (over 2 weeks) from training in the last few years ? And if not how do you keep going ?

Yes, February last year, (completely unrelated to sport) I ended up, in and out of hospital with erythema nodosum and sarcoidosis (lungs and lymph) and my consultant recommended I not tax my body for a while (which is why I didn't compete in IMF in June). I don't have great lungs having had several pneumonias and collapsed lungs in the past so I do have to be careful.

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

2) Do you ever get so exhausted that you can't get out of the bed in the morning ?

not so far.

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

3) What other sports would do in the morning if you were told you couldn't continue training and competing at your current events

I would like to be a competitent sea-paddler. I'm a long way off though. Horseriding has also appealed to me for a long time and maybe some kind om martial art (but not a thumpy, bruisey kind)

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

4) have you ever thought about changing your Boards handle from Hunnymonster to Duracell Bunny

lol

hunnymonster · 13-02-2009 10:55AM

shels4ever wrote: »

Were you there when the walkers started @ the Art O'Neill Challenge‎?

I sneaked into the warmth of the toilets but did poke my head out to take a couple of pictures of the walk safety briefing.

Hunnymonster, you're in the well........

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