Things I learned training for an IM. The 2007 Edition
So I found this old post from last year, and I thought I would post it again, with a few revisions. Things change over a year in training, but alot remains the same...
Hope you all enjoy my observations...
1. I realy really LOVE riding my bike. It took me until last year around this time, But now I actually look forward to my rides! maybe it's riding a bike that actually fits, but I feel so strong and confident when I'm riding.
2. That any ride over 3 hours will require infinit. PERIOD.
2. B. In 2007 I added INFINIT nutrition and it changed my life. I have a custom formulation and I no longer need salt tabs. Also no more GI distress.
3. That bag balm is better than any chamois cream out there! And less expensive too.
4. That your legs have WAY more miles in them than your mind does. So if you just tell your mind "we ARE riding until the gps says 100 miles and that's FINAL" you will be able to do it.
5. The importance of sports legs supplement on long rides! Some people use salt, but I use sports legs and my own formulation of Infinit
6. No matter what, swimming 160 laps in a 25 mtr pool just SUCKS!!
7. Swimming over 1 hr sucks too!
8. TYR and Speedo have a thing against swimmers over size 14! Could ya make a 16 that doesn't look like a granny suit?! argh
9. Sometimes less is more when it comes to chamois'
10. Bike shorts are not made for RUNNING! But you can get 3 miles in a pair of sheebeests with the sheelastic chamois with no issues.
11. Never put icy hot on skin when you just finished a 100/5 brick and just hopped out of the shower! I actually BURNED myself! A year later and I STILL remember that! YOUCH!
12. Running shoes wear out at exactly 370 miles
13. When running over 5 miles you must body glide all those bits that jiggle
14. That it's easier to run 10 miles after a 70-80 mile ride than a stand alone 13 miler... It's all mental
15. As much as I'd love to make it one... chocolate is NOT a training food! It gives you dead legs..
16. Hills really DO make you stronger.. Both in riding and running.
17. That I love that sore all over feeling after a really long effort.
18. Ice is your friend! Nothing like standing in a cold pool after a 100 mile ride to make the legs bounce back! Or feeling that ice pack on used up legs..
19. Carbon fiber ROCKS!
20. That having supportive people in your life- even if you've never met them face to face- is the most important thing of all. Knowing that there is a collective energy rooting for you makes it soo much easier to get out there and tear it up!
21. Gummy bears make a FINE subsitute for Gu... I've tried ALL the gels out there and the texture makes me gag. But gummies work just fine. Cheaper too!!!
22. Gatorade for anything over 10 miles upsets my tummy. I call it gatorgut. And yeah- I fart!! So stick with the INFINIT!!
23.Riding 100 miles is WAY easier than running 26.2. But somehow after riding 100, 26 more miles seems like a drop in the bucket.
24. A silly little video on Youtube can make you a "star". I can't tell you how many people have stopped me this week and asked if I was "Denise". It started to become comical!! But very cool! My friend who did the video is scheming on how he can parlay this into a money making venture. :p
25. The never reach drinking system may look like a "urinal" to some people, but it works really well, and holds a TON of liquid! I can get 100 miles in before I need to refill.
26. Continental Grand Prix 4000 tires ROCK! ONE flat in over a year!! Lets hope that trend continues in the actual race!! ha ha
27. Ironman athletes are the most friendly supportive people. Everyone I have talked to this weekend have been soo kind. They seem different from the athletes you see at smaller races. You would think that they would have an "elitist" attitude, but it's quite the opposite.
and finally... Icing is super important after a long effort, but so is stretching. And stretching, and stretching... As well as having a SO to rub out the sore spots...
