A bit of a slack week

Trying to work myself back into a dedicated routine again this week.  Little tough going this week and I'm using various excuses to justify no run activity this week, not least of which has been the weather.  I suppose, however, it's only going to be getting worse rather than better.  Got the bike sessions in and was really good on the weights/core workouts.  It's really not taking me that long to feel stronger in the upper body and the abs and I've already been increasing my reps and weights per rep.

I've also been looking into getting more individualized coaching and met with a coach earlier this past week.  Looks like he'll take me on but he's not that anxious to start much of anything until mid-October.  Rats!

Signed up for Great White North 2011 this past week as well.  That's the half Ironman that takes place in and around Stony Plain the first Sunday in July.  Heidi has signed up too - she's very competitive and will likely be trying to beat my ass!  So that's two events already committed to for the coming year.  In talking with my prospective coach we both agree that a few smaller runs would do me good as well. 

So will continue to challenge myself in the coming week to get back into routine, especially on the run side.  It will be hard again this week as we have lots of family coming in including my parents arriving tommorrow.  Kennedy is being baptized next Sunday - in the meantime part of getting ready has meant cleaning out the den to turn it into a permanent spare bedroom which has meant that my indoor bike zone has been moved downstairs temporarily.

Ok, Monday morning swim here I come!

Starting small

Well this past week was the start of a few (?) months of core workouts.  There will be bike, swim and run too, but the primary focus is getting the core muscles back up to snuff.  It was amazing to start out this week on the weights again and realize how long I'd been away from that type of workout.  Probably haven't seriously touched the weights since the outdoor bike season started back in May - and I felt it! 

Trying out some new equipment start of this season as well.  I typically do a combination of stuff for the core workouts - workouts at home with dumbbells, workouts at the gym on various machinery, and then (once the team gets going again) working out with the team on Thursdays and Saturdays after a spin session.  So like I said, using some different equipment at home this year.  It's basically a pivot system for my pushup sets.  So variety of things that are scheduled to be done with this system.  I have to say the "wide" pushup set is quite fun.  Not only working upper body but also the abs as well. 

The other challenge at this time is getting my weight back down.  Several people told me how much weight they lost as they completed Ironman.  Well I pretty much held my own and a little up.  My hope is to get myself into the 170s by the end of December - and avoid the consequences of Thanksgiving and Christmas at my parents and a DisneyWorld trip thrown in as well.

Tomorrow back into the pool!

A New Beginning!

At this point I'm not even 2 weeks removed from my first Ironman experience at the 2010 Subaru Ironman Canada in Penticton.  Lots of reflection since that day.  It's certainly informing my experience for the 2011 event!  Nutrition plan needs to be significantly advanced, continue to work on bike and run strength.  Amazingly enough for me the swim was great!  As those who know me the as I started the journey to the 2010 event I was most terrified of the swim.  Now granted there was a lot of beating taking place in the lake with 2700 or so competitors but overall I was happy and don't see a need (at this point) to worry about my swim in the coming year.  I can sustain and be happy with my current aquatic skills.

Might look to some individual coaching this year.  While I know I'm "deficient" in some key areas I'm also pretty clear that I'll have to get some help to figure out what to do with that realization :). 

Nevertheless, I did finish my 1st ever Ironman and I guess I should be happy with that.  Got the finisher medal, hat and t-shirt, and in the days following got the tatoo and then a beautiful Ironman ring from my wife and main support, Heidi.

Of course the other short-term challenge is overcoming my blisters and lingering pain in my left shin!  Then back at training!