Ironman Training
Pacing for a Hilly Ironman
Ironman racing is simply a matter of managing pace and nutrition over the course of a day. You work at an intensity you know you can hold all day long. It might take concentration, at times it might be hard, but you’re sure you can manage that effort. You’re certain because you’ve followed my advice […]
Too Fast, Too Soon
I’ve reached a fitness low. Any doubts I had were eradicated when I detonated during a hard training run last week. It wasn’t supposed to be hard, I didn’t want it be, but I entered into an unspoken race. Four or five kilometres of pushing was too much and I blew within site of home. […]
Breakdown of an Ironman Race
Confidence is vital. You have to trust in your plans and commit to them fully; half-hearted efforts will get half-hearted results. Unfortunately doubts creep in, it doesn’t take much before we second guess our training. I’m not immune, but I’m good at pretending. I even fool myself. I wasn’t always this way. Experience eliminates doubts […]
How much would you give to improve your fitness?
I was recently offered the chance to try a supplement with assurances it would enhance performance. The claims were backed up with references and importantly the product was certified free of banned substances. I’d receive this expensive supplement for free and in return just have to write about my experience using it. I’m skeptical of […]
The Off Season is over, back to Training
I haven’t had an off season for a couple of years, I’m not used to choosing not to train. Engaging in the process of rest and recovery proved to be nearly as stressful as the sessions it replaced. It may not have been physically taxing, but the mental strain was notable. The experience was amplified […]
Analysing a Triathlon Season – One Last Look at 2010
There’s a lot to be gained from understanding what contributed to success (or failure) in the past. Typically fuelled by insecurities about performance I bolster my confidence searching for patterns in my present training that match past success. If I pay attention my training diaries can show me the sessions and schedule I respond well […]
2010 in Review
Right now every blog and news site around the world is putting together their year in review. It would be remiss of me not to join in, I’ve checked the archives and I certainly attempted it before. The emphasis is on attempt as they read like lists of training and racing without much to take […]
Recognising Real Recovery
Problems with training are easy to spot, you miss sessions or performance isn’t what you expect. Athletes are great at recognising when training isn’t where they think it should be. I’ve invested enough mental energy into the short comings of my workouts lately. What’s often overlooked is the impact the rest of our life has […]
Wrapping Up My First Sub-9 Training Block
The first training block for the 2011 season ended today. The intention of these four weeks has been to focus on running and bring it back into form, whilst the emphasis was there the month felt like a transition. I’ve moved from genuine down time to around 15 hours training per week, not a lot […]
Training Metabolic Efficiency
One of the critical aspects of Ironman racing is maintaining a fuel balance. We’re looking to reach the final hours with muscle glycogen to spare and the ability to continue the effort to the finish. Pacing and feeding are in fine balance, race too hard and fuel will soon become a limiting factor. As intensity […]
