IM training.. will it ever end?!

[mommelisa]

RM - You had a LONG week last week! I'm looking at your training and thinking, holy crap, what did I get myself into?! I really appreciate you posting your weeks like that so I can get a feel for the volume. Thank you!

I agree with your friend, Kil, on the long run distance. I have heard the very same thing, and I agree that the fact that you've actually done a few marathons before is a big bonus and puts you ahead of the game. You should do really well on the run because you'll know what to expect. I heard some statistic once that there is some high percentage of IM attempters who have never run the full distance before. I've done 4, and I decided I needed one more "under my belt" to try things out - nutrition, pacing, etc - prior to IM. I'm hoping it works! Its great that the bike course is flat!! You'll be able to get into a good rhythm with those long stretches and just let your legs do their thing. Last year, do you remember, it was really windy. I'm going to do the "no wind dance" for you for the next 5 weeks, because that'd really be a pain. I hate wind!! Especially on a bike!!

ENJOY your day off today! Pamper yourself! Get a massage, maybe!! And, can I tell you how jealous I am that you get to see JBJ?? He is so handsome! In college, I had a class with his cousin, and she said he's really great in person, too. Hmmm.... daydreaming....

Here's to the countdown to taper!
Melisa

[Running Mommy]

Yeah MM it was a long week, and my body is letting me know it. Yesterday afternoon I kind of crashed. I tried to nap but my body just will not settle down. Classic overtraining mode. SO today I'm playing sick. I'm going to surf the couch all day. One thing I've learned over the years is to listen to thy bod! I know what she can take, and when it's time to slow down. Yeah I'm in the last two week push, but I don't want to spend my entire taper trying to recover from an injury or the fatigue that comes w/ overtraining.

As far as the run, the more I think about it the more I think everyone is right. I've heard it from the sage pros like PNF and Gordyn Byrn as well, but it took me awhile to realize they were right. I always read the 2.5-3 hour rule and thought "but that's for people who can run 20 miles in three hours. I'm a slow marathoner. So I need to adapt my body to 5 hours of punishment". Well My body is going to take prolly 16+ hours of punsihment, so I figure by then it will be numb anyway and it's just going to be one foot in front of the other.

Oh and for the wind.. Yeah I think we should all gather together before the race and do an "anti" wind dance!! If it's windy it will KILL me. The wind defeats me! As much as I try to not let it get to me, it just does. ugh.

Ok, off to shower, brush my teeth, and HIT THE COUCH!! Good thing there are no bon bon's in the house! All I have is sugar free 90 cal ice cream bars! Not much of a splurge..

I still want that cherry pie! Maybe that will be my post IM treat!! YUM!!!

[KSH]

Dang woman... you are hardcore. I can't IMAGINE doing everything you do, very impressive!

Their music got me through a really bad marathon in 02,

I wish USAT sanctioned events let us wear our headphones on the run. I HATE RUNNING without music. It's such a terrible beat down. Music motivates me.

Now, when you do your IM... make sure your hubby takes tons of pictures! Then, you need to get here and give us a DETAILED report! It's so close!

[Running Mommy]

I'm not feeling so hardcore this morning. I'm feeling BEAT! I think my body has officially had it!
Yesterday I managed a whopping 30 min swim and then an hour ride. whoo hoo! Today I had my long run planned, but I can just feel that my body is not up to it so I'll prolly just run 5 miles. I have noticed that my heartrate has been getting kinda high during easy efforts, so that is another hint that I'm overtraining.
I did nothing on Monday hoping that would be enough, but my body just does not want to bounce back this week. So I think I'm going to just take the easy weekday stuff really easy and then hit it this weekend. At this point the weekday stuff is just filler anyway.. sigh...
All I know is that when your body gets run down it will pick up any little illness that comes along. And I SOO don't wan't that! So on I go, a bit slower and less intense, but moving forward nonetheless...
Be Iron!
Denise

[knapplaura]

Denise,
I am training for IM AZ as well. It will be my first IM; I did a half last AUG in 6:00 but have no idea what will happen in the 'big race'.

I live in Sierra Vista. I sympathize with you; at this point (according to my guru Gordo's book) it is better to fully recover between key workouts. So do take the time you need!

I took leave from work last week so i could train hard...am in the Army so my training during the week is never as much as I think it could be. I did a long run, 18 miles, on Friday and was wiped out for the weekend. COuld only manage a short bike and run and swim, but yesterday I really felt recovered.

My training partner keeps reminding me, only 5 weeks left! Sounds like you are putting in the miles, putting money in the bank; it will come back to you on 9 April for sure!

Good luck with the training; go big this weekend!

Laura

[tprevost]

RunningMommy,

REST, REST, REST! Give your body the break it is clearly telling you it needs woman! Treat yourself to a massage, take some walks, or float in the pool... your bod will thank you and you will still do well at the IM! I wish I was near you; I'd go drag you to a spa or something! Okay, probably up camelback too; but heck, that'd be pretty easy for you! Just take care of yourself please

knapplaura, I'm going to be at IMAZ to cheer Running Mommy on - I'd love to meet you while I'm there so maybe I can introduce myself on Saturday at the prerace thingy. Anyway, it would be great to meet you if possible (I'm gonna track down mommelisa too!).

oops, gotta go, late for appt

Trac'

[mommelisa]

RM - ditto what everyone else has says. You've got your mileage in, you need to let your body rest. There is NOTHING wrong with a little extended taper. You don't want to try to push it now and end up hurt.

The good thing, in my mind, is that you're in tune with your body and you realize what is going on. Now's the time to rest, eat, heal and prepare for the big party! You're so there, you're going to do GREAT!