What to do
post IRONMAN, or post any event for that matter? That’s a question many of us
face. In 2011 when I completed my first full IRONMAN event I jumped quickly
back in the saddle. That Thursday I did a hill ride on my bike that put my
abdomen out of commission for over six months. It was a hard lesson learned,
and not one easily forgotten.
Each and
every one of us is different. We train, hydrate, recover, etc differently.
Learning our own limits is very difficult to do. We gauge our training based on
our race goals. Some of us have a finishing time in mind some of us just want
to finish. Whatever our race goal may be we must do one thing, and that is
listening to our body.
IRONMAN
Texas was on my calendar this May. I made the decision way in advanced to take
two weeks off. That didn’t mean I sat around and did nothing. I ended up having
two weeks of unstructured workouts. I ran, road and swam when I wanted. If I
didn’t want to work out that day, I didn’t.
The week
after IRONMAN Texas was Memorial Day weekend. I got a chance to go to Beaver Bend State Park in Oklahoma
The second
week after IRONMAN Texas was also unstructured. I believe I ran a little and
even took my mountain bike out for a spin. For those who know me, know I do not
ride my mountain bike. I’ve had it for five years, and road it less than 10
times. It was a nice change of pace.
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I had an
event on my calendar two weeks after my IRONMAN event, the Merrell Down and
Dirty 10k trail run. I normally do not partake in these types of events, but
again I wanted to change it up a bit so I intentionally signed up for this
event early in the year to use as a post IRONMAN fun thing to do.
Post IRONMAN
week three I took a look at my race calendar and decided to start my structured
workouts again. As some of you may know, I’ve decided to change my focus for
the second half of the 2013 year. I’m signing up for a 50 mile trail race that
takes place in September, so my weekends will now be consumed with longer trail
runs. If all goes to plan I’ll have my first 100k and 100 mile trail run in
before the first half of 2014 is over.
I’ve also
changed my riding focus up a bit. I signed up for the HHH triple threat which
contains a mountain bike race, so I’m now putting in some time on my mountain
bike.
I’m
nervously looking forward to an off road tri which is coming up this weekend.
I’m using it to simulate the HHH race feel. I’ve never been a big fan of not
having full control of my body when racing. That’s the feeling I get when I’m
on a mountain bike. I’m a one year old when it comes to mountain biking. A
fellow Tri Junkie gave me some good advice, “Stay within yourself on the bike
portion”. I’m going to make it a point to take this event light and easy. I just
want to get the race experience under my belt.
Here I am
five weeks after my IRONMAN event. I have some new goals set in front of me,
and I’m healthy! Again lesson learned from 2011, so back to the question, what
to do post event? Relax, go out and have a bit of fun. You trained hard to
achieve your goal. Let it sink in and enjoy your life’s victory! Your mind and
body will thank you for it. In the end it will make you a better athlete.
Thank you
for reading this blog entry. As always feel free to email me any questions or
comments you may have.
..ej
