Monday, 1 April 2013

Ironman! Huh, April Fools...


Blog 7 – 1st April 2013

April fools, I wish! Well, I’m into the 3rd block of my training, en route to the Challenge Barcelona Ironman event in October (6 months and 5 days to go). It’s all starting to sink in, I’m really doing this. Backing out is not an option, so if that makes me a fool then I’ll see you on the start line wearing a jesters outfit (by that I mean a tri-suit of course).

Since my last post, I have been trying to train within my heart rate training zones, as prescribed by Dr Justin Roberts. He advised me that to progress further I need to work on improving my fitness levels that will closely replicate the intensity of the event itself. Justin explained that my body has become used to producing lactic acid and up to a point clearing it, but I need to become more efficient at lactate clearance or ideally reduce the early onset production. For this Justin has advised that on my longer runs and cycle sessions, I should try and keep my heart rate below 152 and 136 beats per minute, respectively.

So far, so good! Training for heart rate is another great way to take your mind of the training itself. A great monitoring aid and shows me what’s actually happening. I do have to make one admission of guilt though. At work we decided in support of CSjt Danny Splender’s Canoe Marathon http://www.justgiving.com/Daniel-Spender that we would complete a 125 mile relay race, thanks to my ‘so called friends’, I had been signed up to complete a 10 mile run and then later that day a 5 mile run. Fine I thought, the 10 miler can be done nice a steady, integrated into my weekly training plan. The 5 miler though, different story, obviously after the 10 miler my legs were saying, “come on now, you’ve done your bit. Oi, why are you getting back into shorts?” Needless to say that I had to get this 5 miler done as quick as possible, therefore my heart rate, didn’t just go above the 152 bpm threshold but I’m pretty sure the heart rate monitor was flashing ‘DEATH IMMINENT’ at some point. 

It didn’t stop there! This bit I definitely need to work on. After all that running it was straight to the sports therapist and a plunge into the ice bath... Yeah right, instead it was straight into London and head first into the Ice bar (well Zebrano’s). Now, in case you weren’t aware drinking alcohol after a hard days training leads to 3 things: 1. Massive dehydration, 2. Memory loss and 3. A much need rest day. Justin, I promise this wont (is unlikely) to happen again!

Ok let’s talk about training. So block 3 has been a step up and the introduction of brick sessions. Brick sessions, joy, they sound fun. I know that a brick session was the combination of a bike session followed immediately by a run but where does the ‘ick’ bit come in? Having a quick scout on the internet, someone suggested that it stands for ‘Bike Run It Can Kill’, well sign me up!!! Another suggests that they’re called brick sessions because that’s how your legs feel when you start running. Oh well whatever the definition, Brick session are on the cards and I’m ready, cement and all.  

Oh before I go and build a triathlete, just need to thank Sean Lerwill (@SeanLerwill) for his swimming tips. I’m slowly moving from a depth charge, to more of a bouncing bomb and on my way towards being a torpedo. Really finding a benefit from using fins and paddles, yes I know that I can’t use these on the day but I’m finding that they are helping me get the right body and arm positions. Hopefully this will translate when I’m not using them.

Ok, right I must go B and Q closes early today... Thanks for reading [GN].

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