Ironman Training- OY!

[Running Mommy]

I'm in the thick of IM AZ training and I need some helpful advice from any of you Iron vets out there. Or even any of you girls that ride loooonnggg....

First, when you ride over say 60 miles what do you use for nutrition. So far I've tried carbo pro mixed into cytomax. I also discovered pringles in the single serve pack. I put one in my camelback and one in my bento box on my frame. They seem to work well, but I'm also looking for some other ideas. Gel of any sort makes me gag- a texture thing- so I need something non gel that will keep me going. I'm also planning on adding some salt tabs into the mix as well because I tend to lose alot of salt when I sweat and then consequently cramp on the run.

Second, SHORTS! I have a nice pair of PI shorts (sugar I think?) w/ a purplish color chamois that seem to work well, but I need another pair of "long distance" shorts. I was wondering if anyone has tried the Castelli or Sheebeest?

and finally... How do you wrap your mind around the distance? It seems like I get to 50 miles and my mind starts sayin "ok, I'm bored w/ the bike now". I know it's mostly mental because my legs are fine- well not "fine"- but ok and still moving... Let's just say I know my legs have more in them, but my mind seems to shut down.

Training so far has gone pretty well, but I'm just now starting to get into the long distance stuff. I've got a 70-80 mile ride followed by 10-13 mile run brick scheduled for tomorrow. This is going to be my confidence building " I CAN do this, I AM Ironman material" workout- so wish me luck!
Happy training and thanks in advance for any helpful tips you can throw my way!
Denise

[VenusdeVelo]

Running Mommy,
I've not done tri's, only centuries so I have the advantage that I am not maxed out from all 3 sports.

I prefer to have less processed nutrition, bananas, maybe bars, apples/PB packed up in a ziploc (Skippy makes these little single packs!). But I find towards the last 30 miles I cannot eat, so gels are my only possibility eventhough they too make me gag. An alternative -- you can buy packs of Stinger honey for athletes -- honey is a little easier and goes well on a banana. Avoid too much fiber, not a pleasant result for long rides/races. The salt tabs or pringles probably serve you well but the Pringles would upset my stomach a bit. Consider adding some salt to your sports drink (I also like Cytomax) -- a little salty but workable. ClifShot also has those new "bloks" that are like gummy bears, I've not tried them but I love gummy bears (hey that might not be a bad idea, a bag of gummy bears in my back pocket...).

The mental piece took a long time to conquer as well, I had to learn how to really focus instead of letting the mind wander. And that's not what your instincts tell you to do. Try some yoga and such in your training...see if that helps you. I think it helped me learn to focus inward, ", after 40 or so, I take my next goal in 10-15 mi increments because you can do that amt in no time at all. Try and beat your next 15 mi increment then by shaving off some time. The games we play...;-)

Best of luck to you, I am cheering you on vicariously...I take off my hat/helmet to you for facing the IM! You go IronWOman!!

[Grog]

Cheers on trying out for the Ironwoman! I still can't understand how someone could want to run a marathon after 180 km on the bike, so I totally admire you. I am right now training for my first... sprint distance triathlon. But I do cycle a lot.

You definitely will need to eat more and often because when you're on the bike you're catching up on the fuel you couldn't intake from swimming (and it's a pretty comfortable position for eating, especially if you have a bento box!) and fueling up for the run at the same time.

I am currently chewing on leftover Sharkies, "organic energy fruit chews". Basically, it's gel in the shape of gummies, only not bears, sharks. They indeed are fun to eat and I think they taste pretty good (the Berry Blast flavor at least). If you're totally bored you can always have conversations with the sharks as you eat them.

Plain gummy bears are decent too, the difference in nutritional contents probably isn't that big.

Check out different gels. I know there are many I just can't stand (especially the so-called chocolate flavoured) but others that are great (Razz Sorbet) and feel like eating jam by the spoon. On a long ride, your mouth will eventually dry out a bit and it may be easier to eat than anything solid. Bars are probably easier at the beginning of the ride.

(Makes me think I'd like to try maple butter as an energy gel... that would keep me going!)

[Running Mommy]

Ohh Sharkies! I totally forgot about them. I loved training w/ those for my mary in 04. The funny thing is if your not training they taste salty, but when your moving- MAN do they taste good! I've also trained w/ little packs of haribo gummie bears from costco. You can get a box of little packages in the candy aisle. The packs are just the perfect portion. They work pretty good for long runs, but I've never tried them on the bike. I just have to watch the sugar though cause I have a finicky system. I tend to get the dreaded sugar gut. So I think I'd better go w/ some solid food on the bike. Maybe mini pretzels in the bento? because I'm going to be pushing the time cut off I won't have much time to stop, and I think pb&j may be too much to "handle" if ya know what I mean.

[Lise]

Denise! Great to hear from you! I've been wondering how you were doing.

I, of course, have never done such distances, so have nothing to add but my enthusiastic cheering.

This summer I did my first metric century (inexplicably 66 miles...?!), and the thought of running 13 miles as soon as I got off the bike was horrible! Nevertheless, my goal is a 1/2 IM next year.

I'm going to try those Sharkies on my long runs. When I did the marathon, I relied on chocolate gels...pukey to swallow, but digestible. I cannot handle solids during those big efforts. Please keep us posted--I learn from everything you share! Keep going! You CAN do it!!! Lise

[Pedal Wench]

I'm not a tri person either, but a bunch of centuries.

Fig newtons are great,and hold up well to abuse in a pocket or bag.

Some of the gels aren't really as gel-like as others - the Power Bar chocolate is more like chocolate frosting. I second the Stingers too - or just get some honey packets from a restaurant.

I have tried the Clif-shot blocks. Interesting texture. Not as solid as a gummy bear, and not as squishy as a gel. Try them before you buy a whole case. I didn't mind it, but my boyfriend hated them.

You don't have this luxury in an IM, but I need to get some real food and get off the bike for a minute at around 60-70 miles. I always seem to hit a little wall, where I just hate my bike. Hate it, hate it, hate it. I take a break, get some real food (here come the fig newtons) and then I'm fine and back in love with the bike.

[triflor]

Shorts are a strange thing from what I've heard. My mother swears by tri shorts because the thinner chamios causes less friction difficulties. My brother goes by "the thicker the better" theory.
Myself, I prefer something with a decent chamios thickness, but with a smooth fabric. I find I have more difficulty with friction than with sore butt.
Anyone with suggestions to reduce friction on some of those particularly sensitive female areas?