Paul T. Macro - Looking to restart/kickstart after major disappointment at IMMD
Hi Patrick, Rich,
I’m not sure where to start exactly but I need your help. I apologize in advance for the length of this message, but hope you’ll indulge me after 5+ years on the team. If this is easier, I’d love to speak with you on the phone. I am also aware of the Annual Review web chat tomorrow (9/23) but am not sure that I can make it due to work travel. I will also fill out the Season Roadmap but feel that this probably requires more explanation.
As you know, I have always loved being a part of EN (since 2009) and have learned so very much from you and my team mates over the years. Over the years, my “dedication” to training and racing has naturally ebbed and flowed due to things that I know you appreciate - family, work, life stuff, and various injuries. At first I was just thrilled to finish IM Texas 2011 and IMLP 2012 (both in about 14 hours). Basically I wanted to get some experience and then later try to get as fast as I could given my physical capabilities and limitations: a surgically reconstructed left shoulder, minor asthma, high blood pressure (controlled by medication), and orthopedic hockey injuries too numerous to mention.
As you may remember, right after IMLP 2012, I got Pertussis (whooping cough) which took almost 6 months to clear up and has left me with lingering asthmatic-type symptoms. Nonetheless I trained and finished IMLP 2013 although it was a helluva struggle (over 15 hours). After taking some time off, I tried to get back to training last Fall but wasn’t particularly motivated. Then I also developed very painful plantar fasciitis in both feet which prevented me from really training hard until recently when I discovered a great physical therapist here in State College who has helped a lot.
So I didn’t really start training for IM Maryland (which I deferred into from IMLP) until 10 weeks ago or so. I trained smart with power and pace and upped my bike and run to the point where I was able to complete all race rehearsals just fine - slow, but steady - and was confident that I would finish in the 17 hours at least. [Based on my RR’s and watts I expected around 6:30-7:00 bike and 5:15 run]. I also swam the distance in the pool and felt fine in the water. The only downside was an extra 20 pounds above my last IM weight which I didn’t have time to shed.
Fast forward to Saturday at IM Maryland. I used my inhaler and put on the wetsuit (which was too constrictive as it turns out, probably due to the 20+ pounds). My first big dumb mistake: not swimming in it beforehand. Once I hit the water though I immediately felt short of breath, the wetsuit felt really tight, and things escalated quickly. I finally hailed a kayak and decided to pull down the wetsuit to my waist and tuck it in but couldn’t figure out a way to take it off in the water. I continued to swim but was obviously not streamlined, I still couldn’t catch my breath, and my progress was very slow. Worse, I began to inhale gas and oil in the water and became nauseous. Gradually it dawned on me that I might miss the cut off and that anxiety definitely didn’t help. Finally, it was obvious that I would miss the cut off times and I had to abandon. [I’ve always swum before in the 1:40 to 1:50 range.]
I’m really devastated and humbled by what happened. I should know better and let myself down. I went back out and cheered for everyone (especially the EN folks!) but it was painful knowing that I missed out and felt like I could have done well on the bike and run.
However in looking for the bright side and trying to turn a negative into a positive, I’ve decided that I’d really like to rededicate myself to both better health and improve my triathlon fitness and performance.
I’ve already signed up for both IMLP (July 26, 2015) and IM Maryland (my new revenge race) 10 weeks later on Oct. 3rd, 2015. That’s 43 weeks and 53 weeks respectively.
Here are my goals and questions:
Since I didn’t actually do 112 miles and a marathon - and because my build up was shorter than usual - I’d like to get started as soon as possible. Basically, how can I best leverage my current fitness? I feel really good physically. Should I start with the October Outseason group or do a run- or bike-focused block?
- Get faster. I know that I can go a lot faster and get a lot stronger. My current VDOT is 32 (down from a high of 45) and my current FTP is 230 (down from a max of 270).- I want to lose the weight and rededicate myself to training. I know a lot about improving my diet and have done it in the past. I just need to execute that. Alternatively, I could buy a bigger wetsuit. :-)
- Strengthen my core and flexibility. Also stay injury free by working with my PT, massage therapist, etc.
- Get smarter. I have internalized a lot of great EN info over the years but have fallen out of the habit of keeping up with the forums, discussions, etc. I know that I’m missing a lot and want to get more involved and learn again. I also honestly miss the support.
I will be doing some swim lessons as well. Ideally I’d like to improve to a mid-packer (maybe 1:20 or 1:25)? Again, I plan to work on technique and overall speed, deferring all distance swimming until IM build.
- I know it’s a long way off but I’m considering signing up for Eagleman 70.3 (same course as IM Maryland), which is 6 weeks before Lake Placid. Are they too close?
Thanks so much for your help. I saved my IMMD blue bracelet and will tape it to my aerobars as a reminder. I don’t ever want to experience this again.
Best,
Paul
Comments
Just a reminder that this is out there. I received the video and am following the Run Focus plan. You mentioned that you had some more info to follow in this forum.
Thanks,
Paul
Thanks Rich. Yes, I'm doing the Run Focus now and will be starting the OS Oct 27th. I'll keep you posted.