Looking back... HIM Training... 45 days till race!

[KSH]

You know, I kind of realized this morning that I haven't really given too many details about my HIM training. I have had posts here and there... and my mental break down last week... but otherwise, I have been kind of quiet.

I know a few ladies on here are looking to do HIM's in the future, and maybe a little insight to my journey (so to speak) will help a few of ladies out as you think about what you can and want to do.

I want to start with a little history, in case you haven't followed me on the boards or you haven't been around the past year or two.

I started training for tri's in 2004. I didn't have a clue what to do, but I figured I would just do what I felt like doing. This meant a little bit of swimming, cycling and close to nill on the running. Yea, running was not my passion or strong suit (still isn't).

I did my first duathlon in 2005, and came in close to last. OK, there were 10 people behind me, but it wasn't a good showing on my part. Honestly, I was just happy to not be last at that point.

Then I did a couple of tri's in 2005. Again, not a lot of focus in my training method, little to no bricks (ride/run combos), and I just did what I wanted to when I felt like it. Can we say a lot of rest days? HA! I did pretty well in the tri's I competed in, nothing outstanding but still decent considering how haphazard my training was.

At the end of 2005, I decided I would train for half marathon, because I had this mind block against running distances. Who... me.. run more than 3 miles? NEVER! So... I figured a half marathon would get me over that hurdle.

I started to train, and didn't have a clue about stride, the 10% rule, how my shoes should fit... nothing! So it wasn't a surprise that I got an injury. I pulled out training for the half mary and decided to lay low over the winter.

Come January 2006 I signed up for a Tri 101 group. I figured I could get some running help there. Well, I didn't really. I just got depressed because I was so slow and my injury was back. Running was pain and it was miserable. It didn't help that I sprained my ankle the second week in the program so I had to run a bum ankle for a few weeks after that.

The group was good though because it brought more focus to my training.

In 2006 I competed in 1 tri and then decided I had to get help for my running injury or my tri career was going to be over. I went to a running coach who specialized in running injuries. I worked with him for roughly 6 months, weekly to fix my form and get rid of the injury.

I signed up for a tri in Sept 2006, and thought I would be able to run a 5K by then. Nope. I walked/ran the 5K.

So, I kept seeing him, but I never really got rid of my pain. It wasn't until Feb 2007 that I decided it was time to get a tri coach and move on. I think my running coach did all he could do for me.

From Oct 2006 on, I had started running again, slowly upping my miles. I figured out a way to run and keep the pain to a minimum. It was tolerable, and not so tolerable at times. This pain I still deal with today.

In Feb 2007 I started working with an online tri coach and he started giving me my workout plans. Let me tell you, I say I have been racing for 3 years, but only training for one. Getting a coach brought about a focus on training I never would have gotten alone.

So I raced in April, June and July. My HIM training (you wondered when I was going to get to this... right?) started in June. This is when things got serious.

Here is what I put in training wise for June, July and part of August:
JUNE
Monthly totals:
S: 13048.91 Yd - 3h 29m 42s
B: 311.92 Mi - 18h 7m 23s
R: 57.96 Mi - 10h 44m 37s

JULY
Monthly totals:
S: 18516.97 Yd - 5h 31m 36s
B: 393.15 Mi - 25h 16m 11s
R: 75.84 Mi - 14h 24m 19s

AUGUST 1-23
Monthly totals:
S: 14074.45 Yd - 4h 5m
B: 288.63 Mi - 19h 16m 57s
R: 58.00 Mi - 11h 30m 44s

To really see how far I have come in a year... look at this:

June 2006
Monthly totals:
S: 1400.00 Yd - 30m
B: 285.27 Mi - 18h 59m 54s
R: 0.25 Mi - 20m

July 2006
Monthly totals:
S: 1800.00 Yd - 40m
B: 356.90 Mi - 25h 32m 02s
R: 4.50 Mi - 1h 11m

Oddly, I was focusing on biking last year and I was training for the Hotter N Hell during June/July. Somehow for 2007 my bike averages stayed the same and I added running and swimming on top of it all.

Ok, so I'm not putting up those distances up to brag... I'm putting all that up to show other ladies who might be considering a HIM in the future... that even if you aren't an amazing runner, a perfect swimmer, etc. you can do it. With training and hard work, it can be done.

With that said, HIM training has been hard on me. I won't lie. I've had to go out of my comfort zone with my training (meaning: I have to train all the time!). But I'm proud of what I've done thus far.

I actually ran/walked 12 miles a couple of weeks back. I almost cried when I stopped, because I beat my "I can't do a half mary" idea... sure, I was a mile off...but dang, I was there basically.

Other areas where HIM has been hard on me is that it has taken up a lot of my time during the week. It's hard going to work from 7-5/6, training till 8/8:30 and then going home to shower, chat with boyfriend, eat and then get in bed by 10:00. I don't get to lounge on the couch, I miss TV shows I might have enjoyed in the past, my dishes only get done on the weekends, sometimes my house is a mess... I'm constantly busy.

I also don't get free time on the weekends like I use to. I miss getting to go out and have a few drinks with friends and staying up till midnight hanging out. Can't do that when you have to ride or run the next morning.

As far as my "personal" life with my boyfriend... it's been hard getting up the energy and excitement two times a week. It's not him, he's fabulous... I'm just so dog tired that I'd rather rest when I can, versus doing anything else.

With all of that said, I finally mentally broke last week. For me, mentally breaking meant I didn't do what I should have done training wise. Sure, here and there I miss the swim workouts I should do, but I typically always get my running and bike miles in. Especially the run miles.

But last week, I wanted rest, I was tired, and I said screw it and didn't do what I should have done. Mentally I couldn't take it anymore.

So, here I stand 45 days out from my first HIM. What's even more crazy is that I'm going to sign up for my first IM on Monday (Ironman Kentucky). Yep, doing it before I even complete my first HIM.

I hope that I can keep up my intensity until my taper and get done what I need to get done to not suffer during my HIM. This is my dress rehearsal for my IM after all!

With that said, I will be doing an IM without having ever done a stand alone marathon. I think I can do an IM without having to do it. Honestly, I hate running so much, doing a stand alone marathon would probably break my spirit more than it would help in the end.

So, there is the story of a mere mortal who isn't fast or fabulous training for a HIM. I hope to do a 7:15 to 8:00 HIM. My goals are to keep a 2:00 minute per 100 on the swim, a 15-16 mph average on the bike and 12-minute mile on the run. Yes, I'm slow, but I keep going.

If I can do it, anyone can!

[roadie gal]

You're an inspiration!

Your story sounds so familiar. I started doing tris in 2005 (after getting a pacemaker). My first was a short sprint. I came in 3rd for my age group and I was hooked. Last year I did 2 - a longer sprint and an oly. I had planned more but I injured my calf and had to have physical therapy for months. Up until last year I'd done my own haphazard training.

This year I sort of got a coach. I say sort of because it was her first year coaching and I didn't know what I needed in a coach. I did 2 olys. I came in 2nd in my age group in the first one and DNF'd the second.

For next year I'm thinking about trying a different coach and I'm thinking about an HIM.

There are 2 limiting factors BESIDES my fitness. First, I have 2 young dogs that take up a lot of my time. I don't begrudge them my time. I love being with them. But if I'm walking them 1 1/2-2 hours a day, that takes a lot of time from my training. Second, my SO also deserves my time. I'm still working on how to balance that out. Hopefully I can think of some way so that I can do the race.

[teigyr]

Yes, you are an inspiration.

I just can't believe the time taken to train. I guess it's all a matter of prioritizing, that is something I have trouble doing

I know that the physical conditioning has to be there but most importantly, you have to be tough mentally. I think you have that down and that it will all pay off.

IM?!!! I can't wait to read about it next year!

[KSH]

Well, thanks ladies. Honestly, I think Running Mommy is an inspiration, having done an IM, etc. Her story has certainly inspired me into thinking I can do an IM too.

Roadie Gal, you have a PACEMAKER and you are winning top 3 in your AG? That's IMPRESSIVE!

Yes, training does take a lot of time. Even without kids, a husband, or any pets, I barely find anytime for anything outside of training. I'm amazed at the people who have a family and train for IM's. They are way more hardcore than I'll ever be!

So thanks for the kind words... I do appreciate it. Hopefully my history with tri's and soon to be future will show other ladies that they can do it too.

Although my story is not as amazing as some other ones that I have read. I've probably had it easy compared to most.

[Tuckervill]

Thanks for posting it, though.

I've been doing a lot of study of beliefs and doubt when it comes to accomplishing personal goals. Something I heard last night was a way to get rid of doubt: find proof of what you doubt. Ask the question, does it exist anywhere on the planet that a person can do x and such in spite of y and such? (Insert scenario of your choice.) If it does exist, then the doubt can be done away with. (Seems obvious, but the beliefs we hold tend to limit our creative thinking sometimes.)

So, even though I will likely never do a tri or race my bike or swim in open water amongst 100 others, it helps to know that there exists on the planet a place where people DO do those things, and overcome a lot of obstacles to get there.

Like, a pacemaker. Or just the mental fatigue of training so much.

That's why I read in the Tri forum. It gives me another chance to be grateful and awed, always good things to be.

Karen

[tygab]

KSH, I am very glad you posted this. I know everyone who's commited to tris, or centuries, or marathons, or any myriad of distance type challenges has gone through good and bad times to get there. But, it helps to hear that these types of challenges are first, experienced by others, and second, they can be overcome in spite of it all. It is about discovering new boundaries for ourselves and precisely why I think these events are so alluring and inspiring.

I'd like to do a HIM, and the part about running and getting to the 1/2 marathon distance sounds very like what my mind has been thinking...

I applaud you for persevering through it all... and please keep sharing with us!

-T

[Krys]

I think its awesome you posted this! I always wonder about everyone's training history on here! Especially yours because you gave me such good advice when i first started training and doing triathlons! And I'm WAY glad to hear that someone who isn't too keen on running either is training for a IM and doing a HIM so soon!! I'm still slightly afraid of the Oly idea. Although I'm planning on one at the begining of next season. I just can't seem to get past the mental part of the running. I like running when i'm doing it as long as I stay under 5 miles past that my mind is shot even though my legs and cardio feel fine.
GOOD JOB getting past the the half marathon block. I dont know if i can get past that hurtle soon, but it gives me a lot of hope that you did it! I agree you are deffinatly an Inspiration! Thanks! and keep up your training you are doing awesome it seems!!!

[teawoman]

Thank you for posting this. Inspiring!

[Starfish]

KSH, I agree with everyone here...thank you! I also find it fascinating to read the several-years-long trajectories that folks here have. It fuels my own hope. I really look forward to reading about your HIM, your training and your IM.

You keep saying you're slow, but the goals you have set for your HIM are awesome to me! And, I believe you can make them, definitely.

Finally, I know others who have done their IMs without ever having run a stand alone marathon. You have to know yourself!

Thanks again!!! I enjoyed reading the detail!