Ironman Training... The 2007 Edition..

[Wahine]

" RM - are you on a 3 and 1 schedule or a 2 and 1?"

Ahhh hmmmmm.... I dunno? I'm on whatever my coach tells me to do. At this point I really don't have time for many low mileage weeks. I got a bit of a late start due to marathon training. But I've been doing endurance stuff for so long that I know exactly when my body has had enough. The other day I was at the microwave at work heating up lunch, I was stretching and feeling the mild soreness in my legs. But I knew that was the GOOD soreness, so I was happy to feel that again. It means I'm working my body.
I get to swim and do some upper body today so I'm looking forward to that. I love swimming the next day after a long day in the saddle (not that 3.15 is anywhere NEAR long, I'm just sayin...). and on the run.

I loved working with a coach. Then I started doing my own programs. I'm lucky enough to have a strong background in this sort of stuff so I feel comfortable doing up my weekly and monthly schedules. But it takes a lot of time!! The good thing is that no-one knows your body like you do, so I don't have to worry about having a coach that is pushing me too hard. This has happened in the past.

To be honest, I'd love to have a coach this year but I can't justify the cost when I know I could do the job with a little effort and DH and I are building a house. Tile can cost a lot of money!

Sounds like you're right on track. You'll finish up great I'm sure. All the base training that you have from years past will get you up to the distance in no time.

[Running Mommy]

I really didn't hire him, I actually FIRED him 2 years ago. We had a HUGE falling out in 04 and I fired him, the only problem was I had paid up for a year of coaching so I was out about 1000.00. Not exactly chump change. And NO he didn't offer refunds. I ran into him last summer at a local sprint and we had a nice chat. He offered to write up some plans and I said "sure what the heck" I mean I might as well get my money out of him right??
So I listen to him, but I don't follow what he says like I used to. The good thing about him is that he can convince me that I can do more than I think I can. For instance, if he didn't tell me that he wanted to see a STRONG run off the bike then mentally I would not have pushed myself like I did. I would have taken walk breaks and cruised. I think sometimes I need the push in the rear. And it's nice to have another perspective on my training plan. He's actually not letting me ride as long as I would like on the weekends.
He's also pushing me to hire a swim coach- which I REALLY need to do!! Sigh... More $$$$$$....

[Wahine]

A swim coach is worth every penny. I went from back of the pack in the swim to now I finish in the top 20%, that includes races with pros in it!!

All thanks to my lovely coach Carol. I got her through a tri swim club in my community, so she wasn't that expensive. I find it's better to work out witha group in the pool, much more motivational. Many of my pool buddies are best friends now.

[mommelisa]

RM - so glad to see you post! Actually, I haven't been around much, so strike that - I'm glad to see your training is going well! LOL!

I'll be down there on April 15th cheering you on!