After the 70.3 in Volano I was hoping to finally get back to full strength with training, but it didn’t quite work out that way. At the end of the race, I had no problems with my right ankle (thus healed overall from tendinitis in five weeks), but I had problems with my left one. Probably offended by the excessive attention given to her sister the little bitch, she is especially vocal after particularly strenuous repetitions both on the bike and on foot.
I have to carefully dose load and unload when I plan double (morning-evening training in the same day) and combined ( seamless bike-run sequences). I am getting used to not squeezing myself completely all the time, and I will keep that well in mind on Nov. 2 when after more or less 8 hours of racing already behind me and a marathon to go, only my head and the ability to manage my energy intelligently will count. It’s not just a trick to avoid getting depressed over a minor injury, the crux of the matter is all about understanding that the hardest part of preparing for an Ironman is mental endurance, not so much physical endurance nor pure muscular performance. It applies to IM as well as to a ten thousand, in my opinion.
The combo: cross and delight of triathlon training
Despite the aches and pains, I still got into “heavy load” mode: the routine involves 6 workouts a week with a couple of swimming sessions never under 3k, two or even three bike rides a week (flat progressions, uphill repeats and very long runs), one or two runs (15 to 20 k pace changes at a time, at speeds between those of the five-thousanders up to the half-marathon) and a combined long run.
The special attention I have to pay to swimming and biking (since I am very poor), saves me from the torments of running of which one at the end of the very long bike ride (minimum 3 hours in the saddle). I would say that the bike-run transition is the most difficult aspect of triathlon, needing lots of practice to be metabolized by the body forced to work antagonistic muscles almost simultaneously.
Getting off the bike and starting to run generates the classic “what the heck are you doing Willis?” question in the brain (do you remember “My Friend Arnold,” that’s right, with that face right there), and it takes at least a couple of miles before you start walking decently. Aside from not stopping and screwing up the triathlon, it’s important to keep your heart rate down at that time, otherwise it’s assured withdrawal. Combined workouts serve precisely to teach our bodies this delicate transition. They are challenging, time-consuming, and getting them right is essential.
On the Riviera but not for vacation
It is just as a combined hyperlong that I see the Rimini IM half approaching in two weeks, a race that promises to be extremely tough because of the prohibitive bike course. More than 1,300 meters of positive elevation gain, three main climbs, many tears, a disastrous bottom and above all the last 5 kilometers along the sea, almost always against the wind and with the numbers of bathing establishments scanning the distance to the finish line every 50 meters: torture. I have no expectations other than to finish in decent physical condition and without any hangover in the following days. Or rather, at the moment I tell myself that it will be so but I already know that when I have my bib and chip on, my vein will close and I will simply try to give it my all. Instinct is instinct.
What is certain is that it will be very coaching and, more importantly, it will be an opportunity to bring together many friends and fans of this discipline who will have fun together. Then if it is sunny, the patient wives/ girlfriends will also enjoy the beach. Family harmony must also be thought of.