First Four Weeks + Frosty 5k

I'm training for my first Ironman 70.3 at Timberman this August.  In case you don't know a whole lot about triathlon (because believe me, I'm still learning tons!) there are different race distances, just as in running races.  A Half Ironman (HIM) or a "70.3" consists of a swim leg of 1.2 miles, a bike leg of 56 miles and a run leg of 13.1 miles, for a total distance of 70.3 miles.  Some may ask why would anyone be interested in doing this?  For that, I have no answer except to say that I love to challenge myself.  When you've proven to yourself that you can do something that requires so much strength and determination, not just on race day but also in the months of training that lead up to that day, you have proven that there is nothing you can't handle.  The process makes you a stronger, more resilient person.  And I like that.

So far I have two sprint triathlons and one olympic distance triathlon under my belt.  Both sprints were done at the Lewisburg Sprint Tri.  My olympic was at the Keystone State Tri.  So obviously, the next logical thing to do is register for a half Ironman, right?!

After my very first tri, 3rd in AG!

I'd really like to chronicle my training a little bit here, maybe just one post every four weeks or so. Currently, I'm doing some base training, or training to train, as I like to call it.  It's hard to imagine that I'm working this hard and I'm not really in true training for Timberman.  I'd estimate that in my first four weeks of training I've swam a little over three miles, ran about 68 miles, and biked about 200 miles spread over 33 workouts, plus four core/strength type workouts.  Thirty-seven workouts in 28 days, but don't worry, I did several brick workouts to give myself a couple whole days of rest.

Brick = "A brick workout refers to the stacking of two disciplines during the same workout, one after the other with minimal to no interruption in between. As you switch modes of exercise, your body needs to effectively and efficiently prepare for the next demand while recovering from the previous exercise demand. Your heart rate increases significantly as your body tries to shift the blood flow from the muscles of the first exercise to the demands of the muscles of the next. Brick workouts help your body handle the aerobic, anaerobic, and muscular demands of a triathlon event."  breakingmuscle.com 

It's good to race shorter distances leading up to race day just practice what you've been training.  With this in mind, I've registered for Lake Raystown Triathlon (sprint) in May, Wally Man Triathlon (olympic) in June, and Musselman Triathlon (sprint) in July.

Additionally, I've already raced the Frosty 5k on February 6th, and I PR'd!!!  I got 5/46 for my AG (F 31-40) and 39/225 overall with a time of 22:53 for a pace of 7:23/M.

New 5k PR!

PR = Personal Record aka Personal Best

A good friend of mine, Dennis, is acting as my coach.  He's been giving me my workouts and providing a lot of great feedback.  The Frosty 5k was his idea.  He used my time from that race to come up with target zones for my run workouts.  I seriously would have no direction without him!  I'm not sure how anyone enters this sport without a coach or a tri club (like my own, Team Taper!) for support.  I've been so fortunate to have friends like Dennis willing to take the time to guide me.  

Keep tuned as I continue to chronicle my training adventures here!