Ironman 70.3 2013

Anyone else out there doing the 70.3 next year.  I've signed up as part of my bid to become an Ironman before I'm 40 next year.  At the moment I'm the only one of my training group who's comitted and signed up so any other support would be very welcome.  Any help in getting motivated very much welcome.

Which one? There are lots of 70.3 races.

Can’t decide if I should be supportive or honest? I’ll start with supportive and then you can decide if you want to stop at that.

I had the same ‘mid-life’ crisis moment back in 2010. Decided to do an Ironman before I was 40 (2012) and started with Wimbleball 70.3 as a warm up in 20111 with the aim of doing the full distance the year after. I spent plenty of time training up (5k was a struggle at first). Running times came down, pb’s all over the place, swimming in ow a true love for life, even managed to ride the road bike without falling off every time. Anyway 25lbs lighter than when I started and a heck of a lot fitter I roll up at Wimbleball. It was a great experience and I recommend it to anyone – good luck and I’m sure you will be fine too.

Stop here if you don’t want the honest bit...

So there I am on the start line, after two nights in a wet tent feeling tired and cold about to jump in a muddy lake with 100s of others. I survive the swim, make it to the bike and then head off on the first lap overtaking people, this is easy. Then the second lap arrives, by now I am looking forwards to the hills as I am so slow this is the only point where I actually warm up. I stop to avoid being sick, take another gel (god I hate those things), then try to finish the bike leg. 10 miles to go and a lady casually cycles past chatting as she goes. The end of the bike and now I only have a half marathon to go. Bananas, coke, chocolate flavour caffeinated gels, anything will do now and I feel ok – until I get to the big hill. My slow plod turns into a walk (still can’t listen to ‘everybodys shuffling’ song without remembering this). With a run, walk strategy, now my only aim is getting to the finish alive – I give myself a 50/50 chance and carry on. I make it in 6:49, well outside the world age group championship time I had hoped for. Knackered, disappointed, brought back down to earth I decide never again and promptly bin the Ironman mid life crisis dream I had.

Footnote...

And now a year onwards, with the 40th just around the corner I wear my 70.3 finishers t-shirt with pride, have far more respect for the distance and will actually be signing up for at least another 70.3 in 2013, maybe even Challenge Henley full distance. Don’t underestimate the challenge, and don’t underestimate the minds ability to fool you into thinking something is a good idea (again)!

Rob

You're post ends beautifully with "Don’t underestimate the challenge, and don’t underestimate the minds ability to fool you into thinking something is a good idea (again)!"
This reminds me of something my wife said, and something my mother said. They couldn't understand why any woman ever gave birth to a second child. Needless to say, that both did have more than just one.

That was a great report, and we have all had those days when our aspiration exceeds our ability. The key is endurance training. Don't underestimate that. Miles, miles, miles.

Anyway, I'd better start being serious about 2013. It seems that this tri stuff needs tons of forward planning (not my forte).

Hi TF,

I'll be out there at a 70.3 (somewhere) in 2013, though I'm not sure as yet.  I'm working on building the base across the three disciplines, and have a poster on my wall at home with a little cut out cyclist, swimmer and runner to indicate how close I am to completing training runs at full distance for all three. 

Hope you enjoy the long, hard road - particularly on these lovely *cough* summer days where you can really maximise your training opportunities!

-AD

If you already need help getting motivated, are you sure you've signed-up to the right challenge?

(Takes good hard look at self in mirror for giving negative feedback)

Motivation is typically high at the point of sign-up, and wobbles from time to time as the reality of effort, sacrifice and a lack of understanding from your peer group puts metaphorical carpet tacks on your road. If you ain't busting with energy now......

Blisters,

What can I say? Older and wiser - hmmm, only one is guaranteed. (I still think 'free running' is one of those sports that I will get around to!)

I'm tempted by Antwerp 70.3 (it's a pending homework) and maybe Vichy half if I decide not to go IM next year and go for 2014 to come back to the full distance.

pkiM

There's no way at the moment I'd be able to blag a foreign 'holiday' into the equation at the moment.  I'm going to need at least a couple of years to persuade my wife that she really would like to watch me do a race on foreign shores!

Bala middle distance is very nice but be prepared for hills.

Quite some people here have done that one so lots of feedback on that one is available.

Trundle, I did wimbleball 2011 as my first journey up from a single standard distance and lots of sprints. The camping was wet , and I remember feeling cold at one stage on the bike, BUT , I had a fantastic time , did 7 42  as I am not a runner , and loved it.

It's like being abroad (but cheaper) with no cell phone coverage , no internet and nothing to do but soak up the atmostphere, would definitley recomend it and will be doing it in 2013 along with another one at the season end at Newby Hall 70.3

Hills - do lot's of hills - bike and run.

Plenty of bike miles (that was my shortfall) and keep it balanced as the swim is obviously relatively short compared to the bike leg. Also do some trail running as the run course has quite a few bits of path/ grass, rather than all road, as it is around the lake. I could bore you with detail, but most plans are similar so pick one you will be able to follow based on your ability and ambition/ commitment.

trundle , Do some hills , 14% is the steepest so I found a 14% and gave it a few goes! Psychologically that was the big point for me , quite a few walked on the bike on the first lap, so I was encouraged to stay on the bike and got a big boost . About 50 people failed to make the bike cut off. I am not a runner and suffered on the hilly run though it is VERY pretty and takes the pain away. Ran the big hill on the first lap but was forced to walk on 2 and 3!  As far as training goes I started logging my hours, writing it down really helped. I am convinced that completing a half or full is all about the  bike ie giving yourself plenty on time for the run on the IM and making the cut off at wimbleball!  I am currently on Week 2 of 48 leading up to Outlaw 2013 with Wimbleball on the way, I just do my own thing with 10-12 hours a week ( some weeks I do 2 if ill or on holiday) . Mostly bike ( 65%) and stretching /weights (15%) and swim (20%) . I only run in races as I have bad knees so the run is always exciting! I hope to up the swim % at the expense of the bike for cardio benefits over the coming winter....

Also looking at the half distance for 2013 as I am now finished with the full IM distance after a hip operation. Like Pkim, thinking about Antwerp and/or Challenge Vichy, although Challenge Kraichgau is virtually on my doorstep. But I've done that one before.

great report Rob, nice honest perspective.  I've entered Wimbleball 2013 as a first dabble in the world of triathlon. I've done 43 (I think) marathons/ultras, used to swim loads and cycle quite a bit, so hope I can put it all together .....  loving the idea of a new challenge though ....