My training update.

My Iron Man is getting closer and closer. I thought that I would update you on how things have been going the last couple of months. I'm not following any specific program, so I have to be very self motivated. A triathlon is somewhat like decathlon- it takes a long time to build a base before you do the actual event. I started 3 years ago with a few Sprint distance triathlons (750m swim, 12.5 mile bike ride, and 5k run), and an Olympic distance (1500m swim, 25 mile bike, and 10k run). Last year I did another Olympic distance, and a half Iron Man (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run). So the natural progression is to do the full Iron Man this year, right!

The training has been coming along really well. I have taken my time to build up the mileage, but my body has held up like a champ. I try to get 4000-6000m swim, 50-75 miles on the bike, and 18-20 miles of running in per week. My swimming has improved the most. Last year I swam an all out 500m in 9.04, and last week I averaged faster than that for 1500m (27.09). Another thing that has improved is my ability to eat during my longer workouts. This has helped tremendously with cramping. I have yet to do a triathlon without cramping. If I can eat enough during my races I think my cramping can be eliminated, or at least minimized. My main focus has been to spend more time on my legs, and in the pool, to build my endurance. I'm planning on doing an Olympic distance triathlon May 22 to work on the chaos in the water, and the bike to run transition. I welcome questions and feedback on my training.

Getting fast hurts - Macca