Six months ago I first wrote about UltraMan, how time flies.
As the taper comes to a close, our bags are getting packed and the race looms large ahead of me, I’d like to take a minute to fully realize just what it’s taken to get to this point. I’m so fortunate to be in a position in my life where attempting a race like this is even possible. The level of support from my wife and training partners has been just incredible, making the journey through indoor training and long outdoor winter runs in Wisconsin, actually enjoyable.
That’s not to say there weren’t set backs… getting into a major car crash (miraculously being able to walk away from it), and mentally losing my grip for a time. Overcoming the difficulties along a journey make it all the more memorable and the completion all the more sweet.
What I’ve learned from triathlon so far…
- Do Shit that Scares You
- Over commit, and follow through – nothing lights a fire like committing to something you think you cannot complete.
- Enjoy the Ride
- We have so little time available to us – if you aren’t taking joy from what you are doing, then do something else.
- Be Grateful
- Everything we have can vanish in an instant – keep those you love close and appreciate all you can do while you can still do it.
The 6 Month Training Block
I went into this training block with a good base level, having done Ironman Tulsa in the spring, and staying active with about 6-10 hours a week of un-focused training. Even with that base, these last 181 days have been intense, especially the back half, being largely inside.
I’ve kept notes on each week of workouts, which are on the training log. But nothing tells a story like an infographic.
The training sessions peaked in a 3 day race simulation where Friday I took off of work to do an Ironman distance triathlon inside at the YMCA. Saturday I swam another 2.4 miles and cycled for 5 hours, then Sunday ran 20 miles on tired legs. This went far better than I could have expected. By the end of the run I felt I still had gas in the tank, and was somehow feeling pretty fresh yet. The fatigue set in hard on Monday though.
While piling these hours and miles up, there’s no guarantee this will get me to the finish line. There’s not set path for doing an Ironman, let alone something this long. I’m not certain if this was optimal. If I was under or over training. It’s a very personal journey, but it leads to one of my favorite things about triathlon, there is a direct relationship between what you put into it as to what you get out of it. It really is that black and white, there’s no faking the work you put in, you either do it, or you don’t, and you only have yourself to answer to.
The Pain Cave & Sharing Positivity
Kelly and I purchased a historic home this summer. While touring it, I knew exactly what the basement would become, my gym. I wanted to surround myself with as much positivity as I could, affirmative messaging from wall vinyl’s:
- Stronger Than Yesterday
- Fuck Average Be Legendary
- No excuses, Let’s Go!
But more than those generic messages, I wanted the crew of this race to have a presence. So, with a list of possible motivational quotes, I asked them to leave a note on the wall directly in front of the bike, a constant reminder that I’m not alone on this journey.
The Countdown Continues
So now we come to my least favorite part of the Training and Racing cycle, the waiting game. At this point, the hay is in the barn, the body and mind are ready to go, but we sit and wait for that clock to catch up.
Can’t wait to get this party rolling.
Rob Hoehn 