For the ladies who have trained for and completed an Ironman

[KSH]

KSH,
I hate to say this, but, getting slower is a classic sign of over training. You need rest days! Be very careful, besides running your body down it can lead to injuries!(I am a good example, I ignored those signs and ended up needing knee surgery- and the ortho told me that my injury was due to over training).
But I am very inspired and impressed that you are going to do an IM, one day I would love to(need to learn to swim first)

Well, I was thinking so.

I wondered if I just going crazy, so I looked back over my training logs.

Back in June for 25-30 miles I would keep a 17-19 mph average on my bike.

Now, for the end of July/August, for 25 miles I'm keeping a 15-16.6 mph average.

That's a huge drop to me.

Otherwise, my running has always been somewhat pathetic and the heat has been killing me. On my LSD runs I typically keep a 12-13 mph average, due to walking/running intervals.

[Tri Girl]

Yeah, definitely agree with Emily!
Sounds like your coach is pushing you to do too much. If you're a pro, then I guess he should be kicking your butt and running you like crazy- but you're a normal athlete like the rest of us, and it seems like you're doing too much (IMO).
You HAVE to have one rest day each week. The program I did had the rest day on Monday to give you a break after the loooonng weekend workouts. You need that day to wind down.

The program I did was AMAZING and got me to the finish line in around 16 hours (trifuel.com under the 36 week IM training program). The program was free, and did everything it was supposed to (periodization, step-back weeks, etc). I'll use it again for my next IM, and I know others in my tri club who've used it for IM with success. The creator of the program is always available for any questions you have via e-mail (it's not like you can e-mail him weekly, but I had some questions during the training and he answered them promptly).

How far did I start out?
I had a good base as a marathoner also (like RM), but I started 36 weeks out. The program is very easy at first, and the intensity builds as the training progresses (that, and it was my first season doing tris so I wanted as much practice as possible).

Rest days?
Yup! Every Monday was total rest. Weekends were long workouts, and Monday was an off day (maybe yoga, but usually just rest).

Work schedule?
Well, I worked 7-4 for the first 5 months of training, had 2 months off (summertime- I teach- so that was great) and worked 7-4 the last 2 months of training. While it was sometimes harder to get it all in, I managed. The longest weeks were when school was starting and it was kinda difficult to get all the hours in, but not impossible. I'm just a bit of a procrasitnator and would postpone my job duties until they piled up. Better time management would've allowed me to get it all done.


It can be done, but sacrifices have to be made. I kinda fell out of touch with my close non-tri friends, but they understood. My DH was VERY supportive and understanding. If he wasn't- it would've made our marriage very rocky. Luckily he ran, rode and swam with me whenever his schedule allowed (especially on the long weekend runs and rides when I'd be gone so long). He sacrificed "fun" vacations so we could do trips that would allow me to train sufficiently, he didn't mind that I'd fall asleep every night at 9:00, or that I'd eat anything and everything that I saw (sometimes including his dinner ), and he didn't mind that all I talked about was the race for the 3 months prior.
If you have the support and the determination (which I know you have), then it's very doable.

I'm so excited for you to do your HIM!!!! What is the date again???

[Running Mommy]

yOUR GETTING slower??!! put on the brakes!!! NOW!!
Ok, if you want to enjoy that half IM then you need to step it back NOW! If you don't want to deal with the coachs ego right now, then just tell him you did the distance or whatever. I dunno?? I hate to advocate lying. But if you don't want the stress at this moment, just do what ya gotta do!
Yes the heat will slow you A BIT. But I'm training in Phoenix Monsoon season, and my average hasn't dropped like that.
You are breaking down your muscle fibers without giving them a chance to heal and get stronger. As said, you will eventually get sick and or injured. And my guess is it will happen sooner than later if you don't rest. For the next couple of weeks I'd actually schedule TWO off days just to get your body healed. But you always need at least one. AT LEAST one!
Get those vitamins in too! Your body needs them right now.

[KSH]

Thanks Emily, Tri Girl and RM! You ladies are "pros" in my book, so I really appreciate the feedback!

Well, it's obvious that I have gotten slower on the bike. Heat ususally doesn't affect me that much on the bike.

Do I have to do all the workouts he gives me... well, no. And honestly, I usually skip the Friday swim he gives me. But I'm paying him and I figure he has this "master plan" for where he needs me to be by October 7th. So, I think if I skip a workout this puts me further behind my goals.

He and I communicate mostly via e-mail, but I think sometimes he doesn't really listen. I did tell him how fatigued I was feeling about a month back... and he told me to cut down some of the intensity. So, I did. It helped some, but I haven't really bounced back to where I was a couple of months back.

I am taking 2 days off this week... and tonight I'm going to get a 1.5 hour massage. Time for me to unwind mentally and physically. I'm also taking Friday off and then I'll do a long ride on Sat. and long run on Sun.

Thanks for all the input ladies. I really do appreciate it.