Chasing the limit

Once again I went a very long time without updating this thing!  Its been crazy around here with work and training-I haven’t had a lot of free time.

So where to begin?

Training has been going very well so far. I am back into “normal” triathlon training which means my time in the pool and on the road running has gone back to normal. It feels good (sorta) to be back in the water 6 days a week . The plan into Texas will be to swim between 21 and 28km’s a week, not quite Doug Style but I’ll take it. Since I love running it’s nice to actually be able to run more then 90 mins a week. The plan into Texas takes me from around 35-40 miles a week up to the 60′s for a few weeks before I taper down into race day. The bike has come back down to somewhat normal levels, the focus is still on the bike, but its nice to only be riding 300-350 miles a week right now since its 100% inside.

I am calling this my “Crowie year” Just like him people say I can’t ride the bike, and that biking to a plan is not the way to go.

Well, folks, I am coming to IM Texas with a new bike,new position, new legs and a chip on my shoulder. I am done playing it safe on race day. Its no longer about Kona spots or AG placing. I have completed 7 IM’s. Its time to start finding the limit. Does that mean I may fail and walk a good part of the run? It sure does!

Am I okay with that? I am.

Does that mean I am going out there to blow myself up, NO! I am going to ride the wattage I am capable of on race day. I’ll pay attention to HR,power, nutrition and all the little things like I always do. But I will ride the wattage.

To this day, I haven’t ridden the wattage I am ready to ride. I have always been a little low. My first IM in 2008 I averaged 178W goal was 190W. Kona 2011 the goal was 230W, I rode 223W. Why do I always do this? Well, deep down, I know its all about the run, no matter what, first guy to the line wins. I always under perform on the bike to “save” myself a little for the run.

When I watched the pro men coming down from Hawi this year and I saw Crowie in 2nd place, I knew right then and there, I had to change the way I mentally approached the bike. I need to start the bike the same way I start the run. 100% confident that I am about to rip through the field.

This year I will once again have the training to back up that approach, but, now I have my head on right.

“Just remember this: No one ever won the olive wreath with an impressive training diary.”
Marty Liquori