2 weeks down, 22 to go!

The first two weeks have flown by, mostly because it was a sinus-induced haze. I have a little bit of the flu that's going around - just enough to be really, really annoying, but not enough to warrant time off. I prefer to think of it was "mental training".

I feel really, really good, and my times are improving. I'm slightly amazed actually, at the progress just over the last two weeks. The last two long rides have had average speeds of 17.2 and 18.2 (the first was on a really windy day), and my long runs have been around 8:30 - 8:40 pace. And the weird thing is, I feel fine! No real fatigue to speak of. I kind of want to add a bit more onto the schedule, but I have feeling I should be careful what I wish for. My swim is even improving - I clocked a 1:23 100 the other day! Heart rate is perfect too - all in zone 1.

I guess this means that I have a real shot at being successful at IMLP. I have some secret, long-long-long term goals that I'd like to achieve, which I didn't really think were possible, ever. Now that I've seen what's been happening over the last couple weeks, I'm starting to think maybe they are an option.

However - short term goal is getting across the finish line under my own control on July 20, 2008. I need to decided what I want to do in 2009, also. Originally, I was going to focus on 70.3 and marathons, but I don't know anymore. I kind of like this IM stuff. It suits where I'm at in my life right now, and where I'm at in my athletic development.

I have a three hour ride, starting at 11 a.m. this morning. Wish me luck!

It starts on Monday

It all begins on Monday - the official start of my training program. It'll be 21 weeks of training, ending with three weeks of taper to July 20. I have races scheduled each month to tune up, from half marathons to duathlons to the Black Bear Half Iron Man on June 1. I'm really excited to race again...it's been too long!

I hope to up to Lake Placid twice to ride the course and swim in Mirror Lake (and run some, too). My coach asked me about goals for the race, and honestly, I just want to finish. At least for this race, I think it's more about the process. After I gain more experience with the distance, then I think I can set some time goals, but this year, it's all about getting to the finish line. (that said, I do have a secret goal, but it's totally secondary)

I really want to focus on the process of getting to the start line in the best possible frame of mind I can. To me, that means doing everything I can to add to the probability that I'll be able to stand upright and not doing the things that would cause me to not be able to cross the finish line. Included in "doing the right stuff" is:

• Eating clean - no more processed foods until July 21. If it comes in a wrapper, I don't want any piece of it (unless it's a GU, Clif Bar, PowerBar, PowerGel, etc.)
• Nail my race nutrition strategy
  
• Starting all scheduled workouts
• Focusing on the goal of each workout
  
• Not get injured (aka, stretch)
• Build a really, really strong core
• Make new friends in the process
• Manage my time wisely

I really need to focus on the last one, because managing time properly means that I'll be able to recover properly. I need to be more efficient at work so that I can work my scheduled hours, with minimal overtime. That may be the most challenging part of this whole process!