I could use a good word or two of advice. It's been five years since my last (and first) IM, and I recently have been getting the itch to exorcise some demons (racing with a broken collarbone type of demons...along with all the other you normally encounter during your first IM).
I have a sabbatical coming up from work from July 16th-August 24th. My kids will all be in summer camps, day care, etc. so I will have ample time to train, and in all reality, this may be the last summer for quite some I have some free time before the days of multiple travel teams and god knows what other kid activities stop any consistent training.
Last time I raced, I never had more than ten hours per week to train, so I'd like to see what I can do when I can put a real effort into training. OK, so enough of why I think it might be a good idea, I'd like some input from the board.
Is it realistic/doable? Last weekend I averaged just over 7:00 pace for 9 miles running. I'm getting between 30-50 miles on weekend bike rides a little over 300 watts (I'm 6'4" and 215 lbs), so the base fitness is there (I think). Swimming will always be a bit of an afterthought, but I'm functional enough (I'd guess I'd be in the 70-75 minute range in the water). I know the rides and runs will get a lot longer, but thats what all that found free time is for, right?
Question 2- Being in the Chicago area, if I sign up, I'm debating between Wisconsin and Louisville (last time was in Louisville). If I go with Wisconsin, am I maximizing my sabbatical time by finishing up my last block with a few weeks of "rest" before the race, or would I be better off waiting for Louisville, knowing that I will be back in the thick of dad and work life around Labor Day?
What say ye Slowtwitch?
http://Everydadironman.blogspot.com
I have a sabbatical coming up from work from July 16th-August 24th. My kids will all be in summer camps, day care, etc. so I will have ample time to train, and in all reality, this may be the last summer for quite some I have some free time before the days of multiple travel teams and god knows what other kid activities stop any consistent training.
Last time I raced, I never had more than ten hours per week to train, so I'd like to see what I can do when I can put a real effort into training. OK, so enough of why I think it might be a good idea, I'd like some input from the board.
Is it realistic/doable? Last weekend I averaged just over 7:00 pace for 9 miles running. I'm getting between 30-50 miles on weekend bike rides a little over 300 watts (I'm 6'4" and 215 lbs), so the base fitness is there (I think). Swimming will always be a bit of an afterthought, but I'm functional enough (I'd guess I'd be in the 70-75 minute range in the water). I know the rides and runs will get a lot longer, but thats what all that found free time is for, right?
Question 2- Being in the Chicago area, if I sign up, I'm debating between Wisconsin and Louisville (last time was in Louisville). If I go with Wisconsin, am I maximizing my sabbatical time by finishing up my last block with a few weeks of "rest" before the race, or would I be better off waiting for Louisville, knowing that I will be back in the thick of dad and work life around Labor Day?
What say ye Slowtwitch?
http://Everydadironman.blogspot.com