Ironman Kentucky Training- Month 2 of 8

[KSH]

Well, one more month down! Now I only have 6 months left of Ironman (IM) Kentucky training. It sounds like it's a long time, but then again it doesn't. I have to be able to come off a 112 mile bike ride fresh and ready for a marathon. As it is, a 65 mile ride is leaving me completely wiped out.

Here is February in review:

SWIMMING:
==========================
4 hours
13,000 yards

Well, I pretty much did the same time and distance in February that I did in January. There was even one week where I didn't swim at all. I know... "bad Karen". It's just so easy to slack on the swimming portion when it comes so easy.

Until May I'll probably keep my swimming where it's at right now. Then in May I'll start doing 1.5 hours in the morning, one or two times a week. 3 months to get ready to swim 2.4 miles fast will be enough.


CYCLING
=======================
Outside:
13 hours
190 miles

Inside:
13 hours
200 miles

TOTAL: 26 hours and 400 miles

For January, it was pretty much the same time and distance.

It was a pretty good month of cycling for me. Other than my weekday workouts, I got outside to ride on the weekends. I did have to do one 4.5 hour trainer ride though. WOW. That was physically and mentally though.

When I'm doing a workout that's hard... and everything in my body screams, "STOP", to keep going I think of crossing the finish line at my Ironman. I think about how every workout I do now, affects my race. If I slack off now, I'll hurt come race day.

Fear motivates. I'm fearful of the distance. I'm scared of having a miserable day when I'm racing. I'm scared of having to drop out of the race and disappointing everyone... disappointing myself. Fearful of all this being in vain.

So I'm very motivated. I WILL be crossing that finish line and I will not be miserable racing 140.6 miles.

Cycling highlights:

** 2-2-08: Brad and Jane went with me on a 60 mile ride. It was so nice of them. They are both really fast, but agreed to go my speed. The day we rode was beautiful and warm and we just made our own path. That was fun!

** 2-18-08 Jonny... my Iron-Sherpa... and I went and rode together! We headed out to White Rock Lake to ride the bike path. It was muddy. Poor guy had to help me carry my bike and what not to get around all the mud. Then, he helped us find our way back to our cars on city streets. I surely would have gotten us lost, but he got us back safe and sound. Even if we did have to ride hills I never knew existed in Dallas. HA!

** For some odd reason after an interval bike trainer workout on 2-20-08, I felt exhausted. Just dead tired. I saw a low in my training that week. My body was just tired. But I think only riding 50 miles the following Sat really helped perk me back up.

** 2-23-08: I went to Corpus Christi to visit family and I got to ride with a cycling club down there. I logged my fastest average on the bike there... 16.8. Normally on a 50 mile ride, I would log a 15.5 mph average. It was nice to get off a 50 mile ride and feel fine. My quads weren't burning. OH! And I finally went to Robstown. Never been before.



WALKING/RUNNING
======================
14 hours
75 miles

In January, I only did 7 hours and 38 miles. So, this doubled for me this month.

During the week I do short runs from 40-50 minutes. These I run.

On the weekends I do my longer distance, around 2 hours. The longer session I walk 5 minutes and run 2 minutes. I have gotten my per minute mile on these longer runs down to 11:30. Whereas I use to RUN a 12 minute mile. Obviously the walking is working out for me.

I even had a friend (Brad) join me for one of my 2 hour sessions. I logged my fastest time on that one. I really like having someone to run with... which is very hard for me to find because most people running 10 miles are not doing it at a 11:30 minute mile pace. Lucky for me, he's just getting into running so that's a good speed for him. I'm sure in a month or two I will be too slow for him.

Running Highlights :

** 2-24-08: I ran for 2:12 in Corpus Christi. I just went out the door and ran wherever my feet carried me. See, when you are running 10-11 miles, you don't have to mark out a path. Just run for an hour away from the house and an hour back. I have really enjoyed just getting out and running where I want to without a path in mind. I saw parts of Corpus I never knew existed.

** 2-14-08: Not sure if it's really highlight... but it shows my dedication. I was in the gym, on a treadmill, running.

** 2-26-08: Jonny, my dear Iron-Sherpa came and ran beside me at the gym on the treadmill for our 4 year Anniversary! That was so nice of him. He had to run later than usual and he hates running on the treadmill. But he did so, for me. We will celebrate our Anniversary this weekend by going to dinner... but again... dedication. I don't get to miss any training sessions.
===========================

February was an easier month for me. I really found my groove and got into the routine of everything.

I also have a nice groove going with my coach. It's great... I just ask him, "can I do this race... training session... etc." and he tells me yes or no. I like being told what to do training wise. I don't think about what I have to do when. I just do it. I also like him telling me what races are good and fit into my training and which races do not.

In February I didn't train for 3 out of 29 days. So, only 3 days in the month were days where I didn't do anything training wise. Although, I'm getting to where I like to routine of training. I have even wanted to get up and go swim in the mornings, for the most part. HA!

So March will be a new month! Now my base building phase is over, I get into the REAL training! I will start getting recovery weeks were my volume is reduced to let my body recover. Recovery weeks... SOUND LIKE HEAVEN!


Well, if you read ALL of that. THANK YOU! I know it was long.

[jesvetmed]

Karen: I'm so impressed with your dedication! This is a HUGE undertaking that most people wouldn't even attempt... whatever comes of it, you should be very proud! And I KNOW you will finish! Good luck with the training. 4.5 hours on the trainer sounds like pure torture... do you watch movies? That's what I do for a 1.5 hour session. Couldn't do it otherwise. Even Coach Troy bores me by then!
Jes

[Tiffany]

Wow, keep it up girl. That truly is amazing. There aren't a lot of things that I tell myself I'll never do in this lifetime ... but a true IM is definitely one of them! Keep up the hard work. It will pay off in the end.

[Wahine]

KSH - you are soooooooo on the way. Honestly, you're training as much if not more than I was at this point in my program last year. You're going to do great. And I totally understand about "the groove". I love the focus and intensity of training for something like this. I really miss it when I'm not in a structured program.

Good luck and keep it coming.

[KSH]

KSH - you are soooooooo on the way. Honestly, you're training as much if not more than I was at this point in my program last year. You're going to do great. And I totally understand about "the groove". I love the focus and intensity of training for something like this. I really miss it when I'm not in a structured program.

Good luck and keep it coming.

WOW! Thanks. That makes me feel that what I'm doing is the right thing and makes me trust in my coach just that much more.

Yea, our goal is to get me FAST and strong on the bike... because my run will be so slow. Although, I think I'm looking at around a 14 hour IM right now. Not that fast... but not that slow either!

[Starfish]

I think I'm looking at around a 14 hour IM right now. Not that fast... but not that slow either!

OMGosh...I think I took that long just to do my climbing century last August! LOL But, I am getting some coaching this year...also trying to get faster on the bike, so I will enjoy seeing stuff about your bike-speed workouts. Feel free to post more frequently!

ETA: You know, regarding the supportive posts...I am honestly and truly amazed at folks who do IMs. I lurk around and sometimes post in the Tri section, because reading what you guys do always wakes up a little part of me that really wants to do it, too. But, I am pretty well always afraid of everything, so I have to build up to believing and hoping that maybe I could do one someday. This year is still dedicated to the bike. But, if I can do my big ride in August, it will be time to consider a walk/run & swimming program starting next September. All of you who do this level of endurance training really impress and motivate me. And, I really enjoy reading the details of your training. Keep it coming!

[KSH]

Karen: I'm so impressed with your dedication! This is a HUGE undertaking that most people wouldn't even attempt... whatever comes of it, you should be very proud! And I KNOW you will finish! Good luck with the training. 4.5 hours on the trainer sounds like pure torture... do you watch movies? That's what I do for a 1.5 hour session. Couldn't do it otherwise. Even Coach Troy bores me by then!
Jes

Well, thanks. I have to say though, we have some really amazing women on this board who take on way greater challenges than what I am doing.

4.5 hours on the trainer... I just tried NOT to think about it. I saved up some shows on my DVR and got to watching. Then the last 1.5 hours was the Kona IM rerun... so that was fun. I watched that... cried at times... and kept pedaling. Really motivated me to keep going.

Yea, it's amazing how fear can really motivate a person. HA!

[Veronica]

Keep on rockin' Karen!

V.

[Starfish]

Hey KSH, wow, what a great report. You are such an inspiration. The details of your training are fascinating to me...I like detail and love to see what folks are doing.

You are really amazing. You are going to have an awesome IM. (Wahine says so, and...c'mon...she knows from IMs!)

[Tri Girl]

Wow KSH, you're really doing some fantastic training! Lots of quality miles in there, and your body is pumping them out without much effort (ok, lots of effort, but it's not killing you). I'm really proud of you!!! Keep us updated because I love to read all about it.
On a side note, I begin my 9 month training program for IMAZ next week. I said I wasn't going to do another 9 month plan this time, but I fear I won't be ready if I don't. Your post has REALLY gotten me motivated to start my training. Thanks!!!

[HillSlugger]

I am in awe of all IM triathletes and those training for IM. I just can't imagine asking my body to do that.

Rock on!

[KSH]

I am in awe of all IM triathletes and those training for IM. I just can't imagine asking my body to do that.

Rock on!

Well, you would be amazed at what you can do if you set your mind to it.

[KSH]

Wow KSH, you're really doing some fantastic training! Lots of quality miles in there, and your body is pumping them out without much effort (ok, lots of effort, but it's not killing you). I'm really proud of you!!! Keep us updated because I love to read all about it.
On a side note, I begin my 9 month training program for IMAZ next week. I said I wasn't going to do another 9 month plan this time, but I fear I won't be ready if I don't. Your post has REALLY gotten me motivated to start my training. Thanks!!!

HA! Yes, it's effort, but I'm not dead.

I have a new favorite quote, "Running won't kill you. You will pass out first." I LOVE IT! Makes me laugh.

I'm glad I inspired you to get to training! PLEASE let us know how it goes. Maybe just do a month in review each month like I'm doing? It will be fun to watch how we progress to race day.

[KSH]

Hey KSH, wow, what a great report. You are such an inspiration. The details of your training are fascinating to me...I like detail and love to see what folks are doing.

You are really amazing. You are going to have an awesome IM. (Wahine says so, and...c'mon...she knows from IMs!)

Starfish, you are always so wonderful and supportive. Thanks so much! I really do appreciate it.

Since this is my first IM, I'll be doing a "month in review" at the end of each month. I know RM did that and I loved reading it.