secondmercedes just a thought: I'm better than a second Mercedes. The car, yes.
Tri Top Issues
2 months ago
The tri top from my sponsor is big. I’m freaking out a little bit…
How to finish a half ironman
It made me
in awe - speechless 
"I want to do another one."
How I did it: I trained for over 6 months for this particular race. Since 2006 I have worked on a very strong running base that I have maintained very consistently. I was a swimmer from age 2 and swam competitively for most of my youth so swimming was in the bag. I worked hard on my cycling base for the past 2.5 years...since I first became interested in triathlon. I started with marathons back in 2006 and then I progressed to doing my first triathlon, a short one, in July 2008. To get to the finish line of this half Ironman, I really focused and I trained hard for 6 solid months with as much as 10-12 hours of training per week for this race. I stayed healthy by focusing on my core strength and going to the doctor if I even felt the slightest onset of injury. I gave myself rest days when I needed them and pushed through workouts when I got tired of it. After all that work, I've realized how worth it all of it was. Crossing that finish line at 5 hours and 48 minutes with my arms up in the air and tears streaming down my face was one of the most *powerful experiences of my entire life!*
I can't wait to do it all again.
Lessons & tips: Use www.beginnertriathlete.com training plans. Stick to it. Take rest days when you need them, but don't back out on your training. Commit to it. Find people interested in doing the same race as you...and join them on training rides, runs and swims. It always helps to have a group of people who are going for the same goal together.
Resources: My running group that I coach - www.austinfit.com
The great training plans on www.beginnertriathlete.com
and my amazing friends who I trained with
And my amazing family that supported me and loved me through the entire process of training.
People doing this are also doing these things:
Entries
secondmercedes just a thought: I'm better than a second Mercedes. The car, yes.
It's almost here
2 months ago
My half Ironman is this Sunday. I feel very ready. I am so stoked. My family is coming into town, training is winding down and tapering out. Things are going to be great this Sunday. The weather looks good. Heck, I look good! I’m so ready to eat this 70.3 for breakfast!!!!
secondmercedes just a thought: I'm better than a second Mercedes. The car, yes.
17 days
2 months ago
Until I become a half Ironman. I feel ready. I think.
secondmercedes just a thought: I'm better than a second Mercedes. The car, yes.
I'm not afraid
5 months ago
I’m not afraid. I know I am capable of anything that I focus on. And I’m very focused on this.
October 25, 2009.
I will do everything it takes to get to that finish line. And then any finish line after that.
Next race: August 2, 2009. Coming soon. A quick one. A sprint. I_will_swim_faster. I_will_bike_faster. I_will_run_like_I_know_I_can.
I’m ready.
I’m not afraid.
That is powerful. As am I.
secondmercedes just a thought: I'm better than a second Mercedes. The car, yes.
I did roughly 25% or 1/4 of the Half Ironman course that I will be racing on the other day. The race is in October, so hopefully it will be cooler. The sprint distance that I completed this past Sunday was killer. I’m not going to lie and say it was easy I know I could do that 4 more times because actually I’m not entirely sure I could do that right now. That’s what training is for though, right?
During the run portion I kept thinking wow I’m going to have to do this 4 more times when I do the half Iron here and it was really daunting. I know I need to stay positive during the course of any race though and that was a big mistake thinking ahead to the half Iron when I’m only doing a sprint at the time. It really bogged me down. I should have been focusing at the task at hand. Every race you learn something though!
Anyway, despite my negativity on the shorter version of the course I think I am going to sign up today. It will motivate me to train harder once I drop $200+ on race registration fees.
I know it will be $200 well-spent. Finding the finish line of my first half Ironman will be a monumental experience. I can’t wait!
secondmercedes just a thought: I'm better than a second Mercedes. The car, yes.
Going to sign up soon
8 months ago
For the Longhorn Half Ironman in Austin, TX. It’s $250 bucks plus, but I know it will be worth it. Finishing this thing is going to feel amazing. Training for it will be even more fun.
Possible this year
10 months ago
I’m almost back up to running 13 miles now, without much effort. Swimming comes surprisingly easy to me. I have no real swimming background but just since this summer I’ve gone from barely being able to finish 1 50 yd lap, no flip turns, and breathing every other stroke to swimming 1400 yards in 24 minutes non stop, with flip turns and breathing every 3 strokes. Once I got the breathing under control it was just another endurance test.
My only real challenge is the bicycle,but the rollers have really helped. I bike even less than I swim in my life, but I’m up to 1 hour on my roller at 12 mph (painfully slow I know, but I’m trying to keep my cadence around 90 rpm to match my running cadence). I’m definitely more comfortable on the road now and my body is already used to the stress of sitting in the saddle for long periods of time.
I’m going to start a half ironman training program after I complete my Sprint Triathlon this spring and maybe pick up some group rides with the local cycling club to build my confidence on the road.
I’m aiming for a late Fall 1/2 Ironman.
secondmercedes just a thought: I'm better than a second Mercedes. The car, yes.
ready to put down the $$cash money$$
10 months ago
Lonestar Half Ironman. April 5, 2009. I’ve got less than two months. I know I can do this.
secondmercedes just a thought: I'm better than a second Mercedes. The car, yes.
Training Plans - From www.beginnertriathlete.com
11 months ago
I plan on using this training plan: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Scott%20Herrick/halfim/preparing_for_your_first_half_ir.htm
For the most part, I will be following it and using it religiously. I need to get my swimming base back up to speed, but other than that I am in great shape for the above training program. I will start swimming at least 2 times per week starting this week. That’s a new goal!!! Sometimes it can be a challenge sticking to pre-written training plans completely (even ones that I create on my own) because of work obligations and scheduling conflicts. I will fit in the workouts, though. Once I commit to something like this, I don’t give up.
I won’t give up.
I’m either signing up for Boulder, Colorado’s 5430 Long Course 70.3 Half Ironman on August 9, 2009
The website: http://www.5430sports.com/long/reg.htm
or
Lubbock, Texas’s Buffalo Springs Half Ironman 70.3 on June 28, 2009.
The website: http://www.buffalospringslaketriathlon.com/bslt.php
