What do you do when you have 9 months of preparation for a race that gets cancelled?

You keep training of course. I’ve come too far and dedicated way too much time into my second Ironman to just let that all slide now. I’ve been sticking to my training plan since the postponement announcement (with swim substitutions), and now sliding into the taper ramp down this week in preparation for an end of May ‘Iron Distance Event’ I’m calling Covid-19 Solo Ironman.

There will be a couple changes to make this a possibility in our quarantined world. Firstly, I’m thankful that I live in a location where I can still get out for a 100+ bike ride and run a marathon outside of my backyard, but swimming is still a little tricky as the lakes here are still in the low 50’s.

There are a couple of different possible ways this day will go down. I’m currently still planning on Plan A: Inviting my Tri-group (Watts) to join in for any segments they would like to join in on. This would take place on a short loop course near our currently closed YMCA.

Backing that up is Plan B: only having my wife’s assistance for the swim and ‘aid station’, (our house) and the bike / run loops would be centered around my neighborhood.

With either option though, a T1 / T2 location issue presents itself. Our YMCA is not located where anyone can swim outdoors, neither do I live where I can swim. So, for plan A we’d be using Chad’s pond, which would be idea, and only about 10 mile bike ride to the YMCA, or plan B would use my brother’s house on the lake, which is a 20 mile bike ride home. Either way, the all the swim gear would need to be left behind and recovered later, while all of the run gear would need to be in place beforehand. …details…

Finally, there are a few rules that would need to be broken or bent to be able to do this solo and without a closed course :

• Plan A – Swim: Will be done in a pond, doing loops of just over 800 yards each allowing for stopping for food/water during the swim
• Plan B – Swim: Would be done with a kayaker allowing for breaks for food/water during the swim, and removing the need to sight
• The Bike portion will be done in 10 mile loops, with a mandated stop at each loop. Allowing for stretching and nutrition breaks. While this isn’t against the rules of Ironman, no sane person would stop every 10 miles.
• The Run portion will similarly be done in loops, of 2 miles this time, with a mandated stop at each loop again.
• Personal audio will be allowed.
• Pacers will be allowed.

I’m making these changes for a couple of reasons, but the largest reason is that I have another race coming up in July that is a very short course (450 yard swim, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run) where the goal is to complete the course as many times as possible (in whichever order you choose) during 24 hours. So really, this Covid Ironman will become a fantastic training day for my July Washington Island Ultra race.

Right now finding the motivation to keep up with the workload is certainly a struggle. But I’m finding that modifying the goal and keeping up the dedication keeps me moving. Sure some days are (much) harder than others, and I’m continually adjusting my life / workout balance, but without the distance goal, and Washington Island out there, I’d certainly be spending way more time on the couch.

Triathlon can force you into making a lot of real moment decisions throughout a race. Being able to adapt to the ever changing conditions both internally and externally is how you get through the race. This Covid stuff is no different. We’re all adapting and finding new ways to succeed while the rules are constantly changing. It is often difficult, but keeping your eyes fixated on the goal, whatever that may be to you, will get us all through this.

Just over 3 weeks to go!