There is a difference

I was asked how it feels to run a marathon after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112 versus just running a marathon. This pretty much sums it all up.

IM Marathon:
Mile 1-2: OMG I'm so happy to be off the bike
Mile 2-4: OMG my legs are not going to make it
Mile 4-13: I can't wait to get the redbull in my special needs bag
Mile 13-15: That was the best redbull ever. I feel awesome
Mile 15-23: UGH. This sucks. Never again
Mile 23-25: Must keep going. Cannot start walking now. Well, maybe for one aid station. I'm almost done. Must keep going. Marathons suck.
Mile 26-End: Holy crap, I'm almost done. I feel freaking awesome. I can't wait to do another one.
Finish line: Pizza

Stand Alone Marathon:
Mile 1-end: This sucks. I'm never doing another one.
Finish line: stale bagels and bananas that aren't ripe

Running tonight

I feel like Superman right now. Gonna try to pace 7:10 for 9 miles tonight... to beat JShoe in sport....

Did I say 10 days? Better make it 8

On Sunday I embarked on a 10-day detoxification. Without going into a lot of boring details about the physiology of it, it's meant to purify the liver of toxins/free-radicals/harmful molecules that build up when you eat processed foods, artificial sweetners and colors, and just ingest harmful chemicals in the air and foods. The detox consists of drinking two shakes per day that contain a specific amount of vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. Between those shakes, that's where the fun is. Nothing but raw vegetables. That's it.

Obviously I'm still training this week and it's difficult to perform at a higher level only consuming ~800 calories a day. I am "cheating" a little. I eat half an apple or pear before I work out. Gotta get a little sugar into the bloodstream to keep me from passing out. But I feel it's justified because it's natural. The worst part is that I'm dreaming about food! Donuts, CAKE, italian fries with cheese from Wausau Mine Company, and quesadillas from El Mezcal. Mmmmm.

The detox is supposed to be a 10-day thing, but with the Super Bowl on Sunday, I might have to cut that short by 2 days. I love taco dip too much. If the Packers weren't in it, it would be different. And the theory of a detox is to (hopefully) keep bad foods out of your system. But my diet is usually pretty good anyway. I'm not a smoker, caffeine consumer, or sugar-aholic. Eating nothing but vegetables is getting pretty old, though.


Breakfast of champions

Rest week

Just taking a little time off this week. Still working like a madman, but still trying to enjoy life. Next Monday starts a new training week. I'm excited to kick things into high gear.

Til then, take care internetland.

Nice little training run

Last night I did a little training run. I'm about a month away from doing any speedwork, but I'm running fast now. So I did a quick 9 miles last night and averaged 7:37 min/mile. It was faster than I normally try to pace but I was feeling good and had a lot of extra energy from work to burn off. I felt good and it gives me confidence going into the 2011 race season.

After that I did a little pool work. February starts the month of hard training. I'm looking forward to it.

2011 updates

Well well well, readers. Do I have readers? Plural? Maybe. If so, this is an exciting read for you.

My Ironman training seems to be going well. As well as can be with single digit temps and snow/ice. Could I finish an Ironman right now in the shape that I'm in? I am thinking yes, but I might need most of the allotted 17 hours they give. I'm swimming well and I'm swimming fast. I think if I had to do the swim right now, I'd get my PR. If I had to do 112 miles on the bike right now, I'm thinking no. I haven't put in enough saddle time to endure that right now. But if I had to I could, but I wouldn't want to try. Running 26.2 is always awful, but I think I could finish it.

I was thinking about this last night; if I was ready or not. Truth be told, I don't know if I was ever "ready" in my last 3 races. That's the first thing people ask you before a race like that: "Are you ready?" My reply was always "Doesn't really matter now." Which is true. Ready or not, that cannon is going off with or without you. Then you spend the entire race trying to convince yourself that what you're doing is fun. Crossing the finish line makes it all worth it.

Hopefully I'll be crossing that finish line sooner than later. That last sentence has a few different meanings. Let's see if you can figure it out.

Destination Training?

It's inevitable. It has to happen. Late February/early March a trek to Mississippi or Alabama.

I figure I'll take a long weekend, 3-4 days, drive down there and pound out some good training miles that I wouldn't be able to get in this horrible winter climate. If that goes well, doing that every month until I can get outside full time to train.

I don't know about you, but I think it's a fantastic idea. Where exactly will I be riding? Not sure right now, but I figure I'll start planning that in mid-January. It's gonna have to involve beach. It has to.